Wednesday, February 25, 2009

Already Complex

Yesterday, my sister asked me how the Pumpkin is doing. I answered, "You know, she's the Pumpkin. She's fun, amazing, fussy and not sleeping great. That's the Pumpkin." My sister laughed and said that described her daughter, too. She said, "Yeah, she's fun, amazing and fussy." (I noticed she left off the not sleeping great. Fortunately, she didn't get a bad sleeper.)

Her daughter is a year older than the Pumpkin, but it occurred to me that this is probably a pattern for life. The complexities of being a human begin early. My guess is that a lot of children are fun, amazing and fussy. And I know I don't have the only not great sleeper.

There are definitely other traits that the Pumpkin has which are more specific to her which make up the ways she is fun, amazing and fussy. And the combination of her traits, personality, likes and dislikes are even more unique. My girl is very active, loves to climb, loves to snuggle, is a good eater, prefers to sleep with us, loves to be outside, adjusts to new situations well, needs to be held a lot, fusses and whines when she wants something, and so much more.

What's the most fascinating about my child and all her complexities is that I really see how most of them were with her from birth, and even some in the womb! I was never sure how much of a child's personality was from nature or nurture. With the Pumpkin, I have really seen so much of her basic personality come from the nature side. What I have seen in the almost 2 years of her life is that the nurture side seems to help develop the ways in which her basic traits manifest themselves. She likes to snuggle and be held, and we not only meet that need but encourage it. When she fusses and whines for things (her favorite phrase lately seems to be "I waaaaann it!"), we discourage that and ask her to at least say please*.

I think that the toddler phase is so fun, and I'm really enjoying this time with her. We are really seeing her personality develop more and more, and a lot of times she is definitely more girl than baby. I hope we nurture the right aspects of her personality, but no one is perfect--neither Londo or I as parents or her as she develops into a little person. But that's okay. No matter what, we'll love her for who she is.

And I can't wait to see what this next one will be like!

*One time, I literally said, "Say please at least!" And she said, "Pweeese ad leass." It was so cute.

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

The 'pweeeese ad leass' comment really made me laugh. Thanks I needed to be reminded that 2 year olds can actually be quite adorable.

sheSaidC2 said...

pweeeese ad leass

amazing!

we are not two yet, just ticked past 18 months, but wow it is so much more fun!

babySaid likes to be kissed all over his face in rapid succession with my hair tickling his face if I stop he signs and says 'mo' :)

Heather said...

Toddlerhood is tough but the awesome moments outweigh the rough stuff!

KG said...

I was adopted and long ago decided that it's 99% nature and maybe 1% nurture. Really. I'm completely different from my parents not only in appearance, but personality and even activity level. Just very different.

Anyway, that being said, I admit I love the toddler thing. I know I'm insane and a glutton for punishment, but I just love it. Even when there's arching of the back and writhing in tantrum fury. I just love it.

Parisienne Mais Presque said...

So true, so true!

Le Petit is easygoing and fun -- except on the things for which he Will Not Compromise. And so much of this (useful at times) stubbornness was there since birth. :)

Although nothing's concrete yet, I'll have to admit I'm looking forward to "meeting" our next child, who will undoubtedly be full of new surprises.

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