No, No, No

So here we go.

Marissa has known for quite some time what "no" means...when she means "no" she has shaken her head to indicate it. But now, much to my dismay...she knows how to say "no" along with the head shake. And she says it CONSTANTLY.

"Time to put on your shoes."
"No, no, no." (visualize a head shake here)

"Here's your Elmo book."
"No, no, no." (and she takes it immediately after)...

I think she likes to just be "in control" -- which she clearly isn't (hehehe...we're going to have this battle for the next 50 or so years). So when I offer the Elmo book, no good. But if it's HER decision to grab the Elmo book...great.

She also is starting to swat at my face or pinch my skin when she isn't happy with what's going on (for instance, I want to put her down when I can't hold her anymore...damn, the kid's getting big and I'm not all that strong). That's somewhat annoying but, again, she's expressing her feelings in a non-verbal way...it's OK...I just say, "don't do that, Marissa." And she looks at me for a minute like she's processing. Hopefully she's computing "I shouldn't do that because mommy isn't smiling and looks fairly stern." Perhaps too ambitious...

I have figured out that this child LOVES books. I find it truly heartwarming when she pretends to "read" the books to me...she'll hold the book, point at things and babble, and then flip pages. I know she's imitating me (that's how I read to her, I point at a lot of things in the book) and I find it so funny how she imitates.

Summer's going to be fun (minus the 'no, no, no')...weekends at the pool...swinging, etc. Love the summer...