Vivi is incredibly easy going.
But she is just two.
And she’s not crazy about being told, “No.”
But instead of kicking, shrieking and collapsing into a little tantruming puddle on the floor, like I’ve endured with every one of my kiddos before her, she gives the “the look”.
It’s subtle.
In fact, if you weren’t really watching her, you might miss it.
But she knows her wiles aren’t lost on me.
She doesn’t fuss.
It’s all in the expressions.
The faraway eyes.
The pouty lip.
And she won’t look you in the eye…
until she knows she’s got you right where she wants you.
As much as I like to believe I’m immune to the mind games of a two year old,
I’m pretty much putty in her two-year-old hands.
Give her whatever she wants! PLEASE! I can't stand 'the look!' Come here, sweet baby girl, this momma won't ever let that look come out again :). It's so tough being a mom.
That's pretty impressive. Better than my cousin pouting causing my mom to say, "Put the lip away," How could you say ANYTHING to "The Look"
OH. MY. WORD! My Anna Grace is 2 and has the same EXACT look!! Seriously, as I scrolled through the pictures I felt like I was seeing her pull that on me! And…a trick I have found that works…when I really need her to listen and obey I will say, "Anna Grace, Mama needs you to look at me in my eyes." And then I wait (and wait) for her to look. But once she does, I can tell her what she needs to do and 99% of the time she does it. It really does make a difference! Thanks for sharing. It has made me realize that I need to capture that look on film.
What a hoot!
Just wait until she hits the teens…putty with those eyes and lips.
Ummm…yeah, Little T has that look down too except she adds her little "ease" while signing please. How can we mommas EVER say no to that? I agree with Cindy – we are in big big trouble when they hit their teens!!!
Wait – I have teenagers! And my youngest son has that same look! Oh my…..
Hugs,
Carla
What CUTE pictures!!! I am sure I would also be putty in her hands.
Oh! You hit the button on this one! My almost two year old (boy) looks down in concentration and takes his two little fingers and rubs them together. It looks like he's knitting or something. It never fails to make me laugh! (I have got to get a photo of it!) Those 2 year olds do have us pegged don't they?!
Oh My! Hang Tough!! My youngest was (still is at 4) JUST like this!!!! If she had been 1st she would be a mess because …well, I mean really how can you look at that face and not melt?!!!
I can tell you I would be too!!! 🙂
Ah, "the look". Too cute to say no too:-) I would be in serious trouble with those eyes and that pout:-)
I wish my son, who screamed at the top of his lungs, the entire time we were in Costco (I did cut my shopping way short) would have just given me "the look" (I am sure the other shoppers wish he would have too:-) Oh, the reason he was screaming was no samples.
ah, the eyes. yes, our 17-month-old has them too…it's a dirty trick!
Are you kidding?!! How do you resist?! I've never even met her but I'm all ready to send her whatever it is she wants! Ha, too cute!!!
Cracking up, here! She is too cute for words. 🙂 You must resist her wiles. Yeah…right. I have one who gives me a bit cheesy smile and says things like, "I love you, Mama." or "You my best, Mama." ACK! How can you correct a kid when he's doing THAT?!
Well, she's got me! I'd give her anything she wants with a look like that!
Putty? I think not, it's more like mush!
I'd be toast!
That sweet face, toast I tell ya'! 🙂
Precious, precious child is she!
Blessings for a wonderful Easter!
Heather
Yeah…try dealing with that as a dad – you mom's are WAY better at dealing with that from your daughter than us dads are! You could always try something else – instead of 'no' – try "dear princess – I would rather that you not do that" – it really does work for me! 😉
Or just give her what she wants and make her stop!! 😉
hugs – aus and co.
Oh my gosh, that is exactly what my Elijah does who's also 2.
I don't give into him, but it crushes me when he does "the look".
Too cute! I'd be putty, too. Oh how I wish you'd come take some pics of my kiddos.(Love your black and white from Monday!)
I always read your fabulous blog but don't always have time to comment. But I do want to say that I agree with your views shared in "The Ugly, Beautiful Truth."
I'm the type person who would want to add some fairytale to my child's story. But my adopted son (9 years old) remembers his abusive birthmom as well as abuse from his orphanage. He's healing from his past as he tells us his "ugly truth" and he is growing closer to us as he shares his burden.
But I do have a friend who also adopted two older children (ages 9 and 10). She sugar-coated the truth and now regrets it. They were taken from their birthmom at a young age because of abuse and neglect. My friend told her kids that their mother loved them and was just too poor to care for them. But now the kids resent them because they didn't try to help the BM financially. They want to meet this woman who loved them. Now they grieve a woman who doesn't exist. And now my friend is wishing she had just told the truth about their past and is considering doing that now.
Thank you taking the time to share. We all need to seek God's direction in parenting our kids–bio or adopted. (I also appreciate reading Mandy's thoughts.) It's nice to have the wisdom of those who have already cleared a path on this journey.
Blessings,
Kathie
Who wouldn't be putty in those hands..she is so darned CUTE!!! She is awfully smart, that one. You do not have to worry about her getting far in life.