32: Maggie

I don't usually write a lot about Maggie because Charlotte consumes a large part of my brain power. Being the first, Charlotte is always presenting me with new parent territory for me to...conquer? explore? master? survive? Maggie is the second and for me, I feel more confident with her because I've already been through this age with Charlotte.  They are very different children, but there are ton of things that are similar for all one year olds.  I also don't get AS scared when she gets sick, or AS frustrated when she won't eat something I make, or AS stressed when she whines for what seems no reason.  Now I know its probably teething, or separation anxiety, a wet diaper, etc...
From my blog, you may think I don't spend as much time with her...but she spends a lot of time with me, and when she is around me wants only me. But, I think that comes with her age.
I remember reading that babies and toddlers need that one person they can unravel with.  They "hold it together" when they are away from their primary care giver.
Maggie seem totally fine if she plays with my Mother in Law and I leave the house for an errand. Maggie is a very good kid when she goes to the library for story time with Halina.  But as soon as she sees me, she has to be with me.  She runs towards me with arms up and I love to swoop her up and get a hug from her.  There is nothing like that little arm squeezing my neck.  I know that she is letting her guard down and letting me know she needs down time.  To outside people it seems like she whines or gets frustrated...but these are all necessary emotions for her to express.  They do not go away just because I tell her I don't approve of them.
Maggie is our little bear cub...she is always teetering around making little growls and squeaks.  For all the time she needs me, she also spends quite a bit of time exploring by herself. She already sits and concentrates on toys, climbs chairs and stools...and tables...She can be quite physical hitting me or her sister or throwing something.  She does it with a smile! She doesn't really understand yet that she is hurting us.  But I have to quite delicate in how I tell her no.  If I am too harsh, she just falls apart. It's sort of like getting my tone right with her.  Charlotte is a more stoic kid.  I never really knew what was getting through to her.  She almost found her strength and will in her silence.  She would get upset, but I really had to get direct with her to get any sort of reaction.  Charlotte is also a very sensitive kid, but she is not a people pleaser.  She is not really concerned if anyone is happy with what she is doing...and in a way uses that as a form of entertainment.
I don't know yet if Maggie is a people pleaser, but she is definitely a very sensitive and passionate kid.  Just a slightly too strong tone or a pat on the hand as she is trying to rip off the dog's ear and she just melts into a puddle on the floor.  I think in a way it gets to me more deeply because her cry is one of deep hurt. She really is quite sad when she realizes that I am not happy with her behavior. Knowing this, I have to be respectful of her blossoming personality.  I have to find the right balance that teaches her, but also lets her become herself.

 I love learning more about her personality every day.  She is a smart kid, a loving kid, my little Sunshine Bear.