Monday Morning Mia--Big Girl Edition

So much to document it's hard to even know where to begin. It seems like every day there's a new change, a new skill, more hair, more height, more weight, more hugs, more tears. I think this is what nearing 2 is all about, but who knows? Either way it really keeps us on our toes.

Last night Mia slept by herself in her very own new Big Girl Bed, complete with pillow and comforter. Pinky and Manny were there, of course, but all of the other stuffed friends have been relocated. We went to Ikea yesterday to pick out the bed. Mia had a grand old time trying out each and every bed to see which one was the best. We of course picked the one that came with a guard rail, but she seemed to like it just fine. We got her a new comforter with animals on it, and her matching pillowcase is green with white dots. As soon as the bed was in her room she wanted to sit on it, read books on it, sing songs on it, and generally just BE on it. She didn't want to sleep in her crib but instead insisted on the bed. And she slept well, too, from 8 until I woke her up at 7. Of course, her head was at the foot end, but that doesn't matter. She was at least still on the bed this morning. I half expected her to be asleep on the floor, books strewn everywhere, but that wasn't the case. Here's hoping the bed is equally exciting tonight.

We are finally coming through a rough patch regarding the bath. For the last 2 weeks, Mia has outright refused to take a bath. No amount of cajoling would work. We tried the shower, the sink, Mommy in the bath, nothing worked. Finally we pushed through and she stopped crying. I ended up taking a bath with her for a few nights, and that seemed to make it somewhat more tolerable. Now, in an abrupt change of heart, she BEGS for the bath. If you so much as take her diaper off she asks for a bath. She stands near the tub and asks for a bath. We have to drag her pruny little self out each night as she begs for more bath. She's extra clean these days!

She has also developed very strong fashion and music opinions. She will only wear pink socks, and sometimes only pink striped socks. She will almost always only wear her pink shoes, although sometimes she can be convinced to wear her black shoes or her sneakers. She wants to hear only one CD in the car, over and over. She never seemed to mind that we only listen to NPR in the car, but now she wants music. We're happy to indulge these little requests. They seem so important to her, and it's fun to see her personality shine through more and more each day. It's difficult to keep up with her wants and desires, but she's been very vocal about what it is she would like, so as long as she keeps us informed I think we'll be okay.