It is official!!!

OK. I know what you all are thinking. NO we are not pregnant. Good, now that is cleared.

It is official. Grace is two. Tuesday, Grace and I went shopping at CVS like we do nearly everyday. We go so often that she asks every day when we are going shopping. She loves it! She can't wait to go. Grace takes after me in SOOOO many ways. Anyways, I must redirect from that tangent. At CVS, I was checking out, yes with coupons, while Grace touched every bubble gum box in the display. I grabbed my receipt and grabbed Grace's hand to leave the store. She screamed, "I did it! I play with gum!" I thought she was making sure I understood her marvelous feat, she touched every box in two seconds. She makes these declarations often. She progressively got louder, as though she didn't hear my accolade over her own voice. I stopped at the door and made sure to make eye contact so that I knew she heard me, and did a three minute cheer on her amazing behavior. That's when it happened.....A full on tantrum!!!!

I totally misread the whole entire situation!! She was screaming to go back to the gum in anger that I dare interrupt her interests/activities for the sake of lunch or finishing our errands. How dare I?!?!? She threw herself down on the sidewalk in a rage. Yet, carefully enough to not damage her head. She was kicking a scream like a bad Will Farrell movie. I stood there completely frozen. Who is this child?!?!?! Where has my sweet little girl? I attempted to gather my bags and this child that I failed to recognize and headed for the car. The gremlin refused any instructions. She would get in the car, which she can do on her own. She refused to get in her car seat, which she can do. And then, it happened. This twilight zone moment got very, very ugly. The entire moment felt like slow motion as if I was stuck in a time warp with the Replicators. The little hand came flying towards me. Grace threw a punch at me. In that moment two emotions flooded my brain. Anger in the violation of her clocking me across the cheek. And pride in that wonderful punch. She had great form and threw her weight behind it. She is my kid. OK...the pride was just a brief emotion.

I somehow wrangle her in the car seat. I believe the Holy Spirit must have intervened. She is crying. I am still in shock. As I pull away, I explain to Grace that because of her behavior she has lost the privilege of her voice and hands. She had to sit the whole way home with her hands over her mouth as I listened to some U2. This is a big deal in that we talk, sing and dance in the car. I further explained that more consequences waited for her at home.

Thankfully, this has not happened since then. My sweet baby is back. I will have to remember to not give her water after midnight.

Blessings!!
A~