Mommy voice

For the first time since becoming a mother I have had to use my best version I could muster up of my "mommy voice." Lilli has ventured into the daring world of being a toddler and as parents this means stern looks and lots of "not for babies!" Since we have had lots of practice from being pet owners, I thought the transition would be easy... that is until I saw that smirk... A smirk I have become all too familiar with over the nine years with my beloved punk ass husband.

Now don't get me wrong, I love him for it. He's got the biggest tell I've ever seen. A big "THANK YOU" to my MIL for telling me about it once. He smiles when he's done something wrong or is thinking of something kind of terrible, it's adorable and infuriating. We call it "the passion." The stuff that makes me crazy about him makes me love him so much. And now... it's been passed on to my little girl.

It's not quite a smile, just this sideways smirk that seems to say "I do what I want and I love it!" She is testing her boundaries and our patience. Whether it is pulling on the curtains to see how far they'll go, trying with all of her tiny hand's might to remove the electric socket covers, or trying to escape her play area (aka our entire living space) she is learning too fast for our sanity.

I don't look forward to the first time I have to use the middle name or her first grounding. However... I do enjoy watching her learn, even during the dangerous times. She seems to be watching everything at once, testing every surface, texture, color, smell, sight, and of course... flavor.

I know what we're in for... between my out-going personality and Dave's passion and endless talents, she's going to turn into quite an interesting person. Watching it develop is the most wonderful gift life has ever given me.