little monster

Natalie used to be so good in restaurants. She used to be such a good little eater. She never used to talk back, (well, she never used to talk!)

Not so much anymore.

Our little angel can really turn on the waterworks. When she hears a contrary word she'll arch her back and throw herself on the floor. Usually she can be distracted eventually and we don't have to give in, but sometimes not so much.

Here she is after essentially winning. She was supposed to be sitting in her high chair at this restaurant, but she's obviously in the booth.

We made the most of it and grabbed a family photo.
And as her verbal skills improve, she exerts her will more and more often. One of her favorite new phrases is "right there". DH loves the Southern twang she gives the word "there" - "they-er". Usually she wants someone to sit somewhere... in the chair or on the floor next to her, and she'll point or pat. But today when I was changing her diaper she said she wanted some water. I said we'd get it when we were done, and she said "right there, table", and sure enough, there was a cup of water.

But she's not all demands. She says "please", and "thank you", and even "welcome" sometimes. And in the morning, she loves to go in and greet the lucky parent who gleaned a few extra minutes of bed time with a chipper "Morning! Wake up!" I guess there are worse ways to start the day!