After being inspired by this post by MckMama (one of my favorite bloggers), I have decided that I must document Lucie's unique approach to showing her emotions.  In other words, our 20-month-old does indeed throw tantrums, something new to us, since Ava is just about the most laid-back kid in the world. 

I must issue a disclaimer before I begin - Lucie is the most loving child.  When she is well-rested and content, she hugs, kisses, snuggles, pats and loves us up.  She loves up her stuffed animals, baby dolls and even Zoe the cat.  Occasionally, she will show love to her sister - we're still working on the "don't grab everything out of your sister's hand" concept.  She waves to everyone at the grocery store.  She lovingly puts her head down on pillows to show us how soft and sweet they are.  She really is a joyful baby, but when it gets ugly, well....

Lucie currently has few words that she uses consistently.  #1 is "Yeah!"  This word takes on many tones - excited, agreeable, relieved, so-glad-you-made-that-suggestion, Mom.  Other than that, Lucie says  the following words, but doesn't always know how to get what she wants by using them(it's an obscure list):  down, night-night (she uses these appropriately), ellie (elephant), egg, dog, woof!, duck, Da-Da, Dida, Nonna, Zia, Mia, Ava (comes out Aya).  She has yet to call me anything but Na-Na. 

The one thing that Lucie does have down is the whine.  It's a short, choppy "uh, uh, uh" that lets us know, "I want something!" or "Name this object!" or "Please turn on the Wonder Pets!" (this is always accompanied by her bringing us the remote control).  Then, there is the rapid hand wave.  Note to self to get videos of these both.  The rapid hand wave sometimes accompanies the "Uh, uh, uh!" and means, "NO!  You're not reading my mind!!!!!  I'm so frustrated with you!!"  I like to think that Lucie has very complex thoughts and plans, but just has not aquired the vocabulary to convey these thoughts/plans.  When you put complex thoughts/plans together with a limited ability to communicate, well...you get a tantrum. 

Like MckMama, I have had my own Target "incidents" with Lucie.  Ava is a joy to take shopping; Lucie lasts in the shopping cart for about 5 minutes flat.  The worst was the time that we all went to Eat N Park on a Friday night and then to the Dream Night at the zoo.  (why didn't I take the first outing as a sign that the second would be worse?)  Lucie acted like an animal the entire time, except, of course, when there was a stranger to wave and smile at.  She would not sit in the high chair, she wanted to walk around amidst the waitresses running heavy trays of hot food, she wanted to take Ava's cane for a spin (again, among the waitresses), any food that we offered her was poison, toys were ridiculous attempts at distraction.  And, we didn't have a paci.  I ended up leaving the restraunt and driving her around, finally pulling into a drug store to purchase a paci.  The drama continued at the zoo - refusal to sit in the double stroller, screaming, choking, snorting, drooling, sweating when we forced her to sit in the stroller, running away from us into a crowd of hundreds of people when let out of the stroller.  Poor Ava has to listen to all of this. I wanted to leave her in a cage at the zoo, but we ended up bringing her home with us, tear-stained face and all.

We have challenges ahead of us with Lucie.  I literally have no experience disciplining a toddler.  Ava did not need discipline when she was Lucie's age and I'm afraid that my tactics are too simple.  Mostly, when Lucie gets revved up, I end up looking at her curiously and talking to her quietly.  I'm afraid that if I get loud or angry, it will only make things worse.  I have done time out - one minute on the bottom step - and I think that she gets this, because for a few seconds, her crying escalates and then she does eventually calm down, just in time for us to hug after her time is up. 

Despite all of this toddler-esque behavior and drama, Lucie is, as I said, the most loving little girl.  At the end of the day, I often find myself sitting here, thinking of her all snuggled up in her crib, smelling like lavendar and holding her pacis close and I think of how lovely and passionate she is about her little life, and I smile at the thought of beginning another day with her.