Out of the mouths of babes....

I was on surface streets, racing to daycare so I could make an appearance at work before, oh, 10 a.m., when I sped up to go through a yellow light.

"Mommy, yellow means slow down," Rachel chided from the back seat.
"You're absolutely right, Rachel," I replied. And at the next yellow light, I did.

***

Last night I didn't get to bed until 12:30 a.m. because I had to make some soup as part of my cook-ahead plan, but botched things by making it too spicy and spent 30 minutes trying to figure out how reduce the heat. All of a sudden I heard some crying from Rachel's room.

Usually it's just crying in a dream, but it got louder and louder, so I figured I needed to go in.

"What's the matter, sweetie?" I murmured as I lifted her out of bed and cuddled her in the glider. "Did you have a bad dream?"
"Yeah," she sniffled.
"What happened?" I said.
"Baby was yelling at me!" she wailed. "Baby" is one of two plastic baby dolls, both of which are named "Baby."
"Why was Baby yelling at you?"
"Baby was yelling at me 'cuz the other baby was yelling!"
"That's not very nice," I said. "Do you want me to take Baby out of the crib? Would that make you feel better?"
"Yes," she sniffled.
So, back she went to bed, curled up on her square pillow and me pulling the blankets over her. I believe she was asleep before I left the bedroom, offending baby doll in hand. It has not returned to the crib. It is being punished for messing up MY baby's sleep. And mine.

***

Last night before the above episode, Rachel astonished me by CLIMBING OUT OF THE BATHTUB HERSELF AND THEN DUMPING OUT HER BATHWATER FROM THE PORTABLE TUB WE USE FOR HER!! I was so impressed. "Rachel, do you even need Mommy anymore?" I said, laughing. "Pretty soon you'll be taking showers. Goodbye, Mom!"

She loved that, and we both imitated her saying "goodbye Mom!" and taking virtual showers...until she suddenly slipped on the wood floor just outside the bathroom (probably because her feet were wet) and fell on her nose and lip. Then the wailing started and I had to hold her tight, towel and all, in the rocking chair. Guess it was a reminder from the universe that we have several years to go before Rachel will be truly independent!

***

This morning, probably remembering her fall from last night, Rachel announced that she had "lots of owies."
"Do you have a owie, Mommy?" she asked me in the car on the way to school.
"No," I said. "Well, but I'm tired and I'm fighting a cold."
"You shouldn't fight a cold!" Rachel exclaimed.
"Why not?" I answered.
"Because you'll hurt its feelings!"