Independence

Apparently, the joy of toddler-hood is increasing independence.   

Our youngest, 18 months, has been a little slower to acquire words and phrases, but is making up for it now. 

Today, no fewer than four times I heard "Nuuuuu!" (NO!) accompanied by wrinkled forehead and pursed lips.  (Need a visual?  Picture a dainty, elderly, church-lady type discovering that she has dog excrement on her Sunday best shoes.  It's that face.) 

This face and utterance have been used for everything from "nuuuu juuuush" (which of course means "Non maman. Je veux du lait, pas de jus.") to "nuuuu pup" (which of course means "Silly mother.  Of course my pants are befouled, however I just do not wish to stop putting small pebbles in this knothole I have found.  Go away silly woman and do not bother me again."

Perhaps the most exciting discovery was that she can open the corner cabinet unit and retrieve her own snacks.  Initially I was delighted that her snack of choice was shredded wheat bites.  Iron fortified!  Full of wheatly goodness.  Full of....(crap!)....fiber. 

It's been an afternoon.  And now I have just one thing to say.   "Nuuuu pup!"  I've had enough.