More Sharing; More Obstinance

On Sunday Mimi received a visit from her cousins, Shuhei and Asuka, and their parents, Shu and Kayo.  It was a bit of a surprise visit - they were coming by with a giant load of persimmons for us - and I was a bit apprehensive about how Mimi would behave.  She'd refused her nap that day and, as we've seen in these pages previously, she hasn't always been a sweetheart when it comes to sharing. 

Mimi, though, had other plans.  I think she just wanted to play.  So, when Shuhei and Asuka began rummaging through her Star Wars bath toys, sitting in her rocking chair, and drawing at her new table, she let it slide and joined in.  In the past, Mimi would play, but she liked to be on her own.  And when it came to her own toys, she was very protective.  The toy she wanted to play with was always whatever toy the other child had.  By the end of playtime, she'd have a "hoarder's pile" of toys she'd pilfered from other toddlers.  But this time - and I have no idea what sparked the change - Mimi's play was different.  Not only was she sharing, she was collaborating. 

Here's Mimi and Asuka at Mimi's table.  Notice that there are papers and crayons still on Asuka's side.  Amazing!

Shuhei and Asuka then took turns pushing Mimi in her rocking chair.  She loved it!  More importantly, she didn't hoard the chair once they were done.  She simply ran off and let Shuhei use her chair for a while, without complaint!

Mimi even got into the spirit of sharing.  Shuei had received two new Transformers robots from his uncle and one of these two was always in his hands.  That meant he was interested in them and, as Mimi was quick to notice, one was always in reach.  Mimi couldn't resist.  Shuhei, much to his credit, deigned to let Mimi play with his new toys, though he did look a little concerned from time to time.  And Mimi, amazingly, learned that it could be fun to give things back to their original owner.  In fact, she loved it.  Now if only I could get her to feel that way about letting her father work on his computer. 

I was a very proud, and quite surprised, Papa last night.  Mimi's been wonderfully giggly and cute this past week, even more than normal, but she's also been tremendously obstinate.  Every infectious giggle or heart-wrenching little smile has been balanced by manic tantrums and brazen refusals.  She's been particularly challenging in two venues: clothing and sleeping. 

First, clothing.  Observe Mimi in the beautiful hat she insisted I place upon her head.

Mimi managed to rip this hat off, despite it being tied firmly to her head, in a scant 1.7 seconds.  It's been a similar story with jackets, onesies, shirts, sweaters, and socks.  She'll demand a specific piece of clothing and then, once it's on, flail about screaming bloody murder and gouging out her eyes until it's removed.  I know she's a toddler, but c'mon.  If I did this just once, my wife would have me committed.

Sleep has been the other challenge.  Just a week ago, when nap- or bed-time came around all I had to do was give Mimi her bottle, let her drink it down, say, "Ne-ne" (Shall we sleep?"), pick her up, and lay her down in her crib.  She'd even rest her head on my shoulder and pat me on the back when I'd say, "Cuddle, cuddle." 

Today, things are different.  I do think she's teething, but there must be something else going on as well.  Two nights ago Mimi channeled Mike Tyson and went to work on my face with her hands, my gut with her legs, and my forehead with her own.  It wasn't pretty.  We weren't able to get her down until 11:00 that night. 

Naps are even worse.  Yesterday she rejected the entire concept of napping.  This doesn't make for a happy Papa, especially when he has a cold.  But it didn't stop there.  Mimi had another surprise for me.  She'd decided to take her napping rebellion up a notch by combining it with her disdain for clothing.  I had put Mimi in her crib wearing a shirt, sweater, pants, and socks.  Here's what I found wailing at me a scant 30 minutes later. 

Despite the rebellion, Mimi's come a long way since we've moved to San Francisco.  With each day I see more and more of her personality poking through the growing pains.  And I like what I'm seeing.

Friends, Rivals, Cousins

As I mentioned in my last post, this past weekend was spent with my sister Julie, her husband Sean, and their little boy Alder.  Alder is only a month younger than Mimi, her closest cousin in age.  I was looking forward to watching them play together, but I had no idea just how well they'd hit it off. 

Mimi's a bit rambunctious, so she often gets along well with boys her own age or older kids.  At the Steinhart aquarium I've seen her shout down a 3 year-old, using language only she understands, who had the temerity to comment on an exhibit Mimi was examining.  Apparently she felt quite passionate about her own analysis, even if no one could decipher it, even Mimi. 

Alder, who is not one to back down, was a perfect playmate for Mimi.  By the end of Alder's visit, Mimi was even beginning to share (I'm sad to say that with his departure she has reverted to her old, self-gratifying ways).  Here's a look at how the two kids got on.

After introductions, they hit the Weeble village.  This toy is so loud, distracting, and yet oddly endearing, that they ended up working together without even realizing it.  A good start. 

From there they hit the piano, Mimi providing the bass line and Alder handling the melody.  What an experience to watch the two of them pound away on my father's old piano, the same one Julie and I abused over 30 years ago. 

Of course, one cannot play together all the time.  Mimi realized she needed to be a good hostess.  So, while Papa taught Alder how to play the "Whiffle Board" pinball he'd been restoring,

Mimi showed uncle Sean how to remove the cushions from the couch. 

After dinner, Mimi and Alder both decided to play a good, old-fashioned game of Tron.

This proved a bit too much to handle, so Mimi decided they'd play with her computer instead.  After a brief tutorial from Mimi, the two were typing away. 

Grandma and Grandpa also helped.  Here are the two cousins drawing with Mimi's magnetic sketch pad.  Amazingly, Mimi stood back and let Alder take a few turns.  She barely allows me enough time to pen Miffy the bunny before she snatches it back. 

Mimi even learned how to share her Cheerios, albeit begrudgingly. 

One interesting point of contention between the two was who would get to play with the red ball at Great Grandma's house.  Half the time Mimi would want the red ball, and the other half she'd spurn it and want only the gold ball.  It basically broke down to Mimi wanting whatever ball Alder was carrying.  That's my sweet little angel. 

Eventually Mimi and Alder worked out their differences.  Back inside, they decided to kiss and make up.  Good kids.  This last one is a bit of video of the two. 

It was wonderful for Mimi to spend time with Alder and the rest of the family.  Thanksgiving is just a little over a week away.  I wonder what kind of mischief she'll get into there.