Last Day, Next Day

Taylor has been cracking me up lately.  Her vocabulary is impressive, but there are a few things she hasn't figured out yet.  Instead of using the words "tomorrow" and "yesterday," she says "last day" and "next day."  It is super cute when she says, "Mommy, did we do that last day?" 

She also has trouble with the word animals.  She switches the "n" and "m" so that the word comes out "aminals." 

Despite these few errors, Taylor tries so hard (and usually succeeds) at talking like a grown up.  Some of my favorite conversations occur while I am helping her go potty because I have to squat down so we are at eye-level.  The other day, she looked at me and said "Oh Mommy, I LOVE your earrings. They're so beautiful."  When I thanked her for the compliment, she said, "I want to have some like those when I grow up."  Her compliments have also included my hair and my sweaters.  She loves to compliment from the potty.  She's also started to repeat things I've said to hear like "Mommy, you're not listening to my words!"  Uh oh.  She's busted me several times for that.  My favorite is when she runs to give me a hug and says, "Mommy, I'm so glad that you're here!"

On another note, I find it is hard to give Taylor my undivided attention that I've been feeling really guilty about it.  Recently, I've been trying to play with Taylor every day (sometimes only for 5-10 minutes) and the rules go like this: 1. I cannot ask her any questions (because usually I ask leading questions like "Do you think it's time to go downstairs to get dinner ready?"); 2. I go along with whatever she wants to do - if she wants me to hurry into her tent to get out of the rain, then I squeeze into her tent with her; 3. The only feedback I give her is positive.  So far, I've learned how much she soaks in the undivided attention.  Giving her just 10 minutes of my time buys me so much more time to work in the kitchen, hold Matthew, etc. while she continues playing contently.

Taylor is also in to imaginary play now.  She loves to run around the house with her "friends."  Some days her friends are other princesses, some days they are other little children.  I know all children are like this, but it is so fun to watch her little brain in action.  She talks about monsters, princesses, aligators, ghosts, snakes, and fairies.  It's hysterical.
Unfortunately, Miss T has been spending more and more time in "time out" lately.  She has been such a pistol and has quite an attitude when she doesn't get her way.  I've reached some all-time parenting lows when I've lost my temper with her or threatened that Santa won't bring her any gifts.  I'm sure her tantrums are normal, but I can't help wondering sometimes if I've created a monster?  We've had a lot of heart to hearts (some which have included me apologizing to her), and it is crazy that she's old enough to reason with her about things.  I have to remind myself, even after a long day of parenting, that there is always "next day"...