High DQ

Reflections on 18 months of parenthood . . .

Mark: Lily sure has a high DQ.
Me: What are you talking about?
Mark: You know, drama quotient. (I think he made up this term)
Me: So what, you think this comes from my side?
Mark: I'm not going to answer that question.



Everyone at 3516 Garfield can stop laughing now. But, it's true. Lily has had a flair for the dramatic recently. When she's happy, she's really happy. When she's sad, everything is just terrible. And when she's mad, everybody better watch out. She's been throwing temper tantrums like nobody's business, full back arching, on the floor, red faced screaming marathons. When she knows what she wants, nobody can stop her. This creates trouble when she gets determined to go outside in the freezing rain, or wants the toy that her sister is using.

Phew. Having toddlers is very tiring, especially when we're on are own and outnumbered. Thankfully, these difficult stretches usually coincide with a new developmental milestone. I think Lily's new skills are going to be verbal.

A couple days ago, she tried to take Elsa's toy away and said:
"No, Mine!"
Two new words! And the first time that she's put words together.

Of course, Lily's passion is one of her best qualities, too. She's been a very enthusiastic helper. She follows me all around the house, she likes people and always has a friendly woof-woof for all the dogs in the neighborhood. She likes to be involved in all our daily tasks like cleaning, and talking on the phone. She also comes up with great ideas for play activities. She figured out the game where they take the stuffed animals for rides up and down the hall in their wagons.




Here's Miss Lillian wearing her brand new big-girl shoes for going outside. (when she wants to go outside, she follows me around the house holding her new shoes).




And Elsa also modeling her new shoes. Elsa has been having a very mellow stretch recently. Mark and I always joke that the girls take turns being the "difficult twin." Elsa's turn for being a stinker was back in January right before she learned to walk. Now that she's mobile, she's been much more mellow and self-confident. She's also been very nurturing to her stuffed animals and baby dolls. She likes to give them kisses. (both girls do this, but Elsa especially). Elsa also likes to make her stuffed animals kiss each other with a Mmmm sound which is very cute.

While Lily charges straight through, Elsa tends to be much more careful and notices the little details. She's really into flowers recently (especially yellow flowers). Elsa has developed an endearing new quirk where she refuses to step on flower petals (the backyard trees are blooming). We hold her hand around the path in the backyard.




Elsa and Lily both are into patterns and routine. Here's Elsa handing daddy her "inside" shoes. When, we come inside the girls immediately insist on putting on their slippers. They are very careful about their feet.




They also like to knock on doors before entering a room. Here's Lily and Elsa waiting for me by our front door.



And two seconds later, they're off again, trying to push their stroller through the yard.