Grateful for the Quirks

“Tew?” That, in Taylor slang, is “two.” This word is always stated as a question, and used when she is asking if she can have two, or when she’s requesting confirmation that there are two of what she sees. Lately, she must have everything in doubles. She requires two blankies, two cups, she points out two dogs, two ducks and two trucks, when she’s standing on a chair, she says “tew?” until I pull another next to the one she’s on. Jimmy is concerned that she has some sort of doubles disorder. But Jimmy also was concerned that her large belly was an indication of some sort of swollen tummy syndrome. My Mommy instincts tell me that this is just another quirk that makes Taylor the comedian that she is.

The carpet. We have a small, blue door mat at the foot of the door that leads from the garage to the kitchen. And Taylor is infatuated with it. You are not allowed to brush her teeth unless she is laying on the carpet, head against the refrigerator, feet towards the cabinet door. Don’t even try to turn her to another angle or move her to your lap. No access to the teeth will be given unless this position is achieved. Yesterday, she also demanded that her diaper be changed in this spot as well. When Jimmy told her that he was going to change her diaper, she marched out of her room, with the wipes container in tow, and assumed the position on the door mat. Quirky turkey.

Complete crackers. Taylor will refuse every cracker or cookie that is chipped in any capacity. Don’t even think about sneaking one by her quality control process. Last time I tried to feed her Nilla Wafers, she rummaged through the box until she found a whole cookie. When she removed her hand from the box with a flawed Nilla, she would promptly return the damaged goods to the box until a complete cookie was discovered.

“Yogo!” Taylor slang for “yogurt.” Taylor eats three containers of yogo every night for dinner. That’s it. Just yogo. Three containers. Not "tew", not four. Three. Every night.

“Sit down!” This is a demand given by the tiny Turtle every few minutes between the hours of 5:30pm and 7pm. There is an exact location on the couch that you must sit, and you must do it quickly in order to avoid a munchkin meltdown. She will point to the couch and repeat “sit down!” until you comply. And, if you don’t, duck and cover.

These are just a few of the quirks that make Taylor the peculiar pipsqueak that she is. I love it. With this uncertain economy, our constant and deep desire for another baby, and the stresses that come along with raising a toddler, Taylor’s crazy quirks are a welcome dose of laughter that raise me up when I am down. Thank you God, for this perfect little person. And thank You for orchestrating moments of relief when they are needed most!