Always True to You In My Fashion

Clara is a very easy going little lady, but when she gets upset, she lets you know. Friday's report from school said that Clara "was trying to build a tower with the large foam blocks and was VERY vocal when I did not want any friends (to help--presumably)." We have a clear picture of this in our minds, based on our own experiences. At home, she is most often VERY vocal, when she wants Julie and Julie moves out of Clara's view, or steps away from her.

Now, in the mornings, Joe wants Julie to sit on the bed, and Ted to pick up Clara. We have had to explain to him that he doesn't get to decide who picks up Clara, in part because he really doesn't get to decide who picks up Clara, and in part because one morning, Ted did pick up Clara, and she wailed and nearly flew out of his arms as she tried to get to Julie. Now Fans, in case you are thinking, "Poor Ted. . .", we hasten to remind you that the affections of the toddler set are fickle. In fact, Joe still prefers that Ted take him in and out of the car. Clearly Ted has gotten the short end of the stick for the moment, as an extra moment tucked up on a bed is infinitely preferable to hefting Our Hero in and out of his car seat, but so swings the pendulum today.

But it is true that Clara is all about Julie right now. Thursday's report from school said that Clara had pointed at our family picture on the family wall during snack time, and said "Mommy, Mommy!" (I know--we buried the lead, right?!) We haven't yet heard this with our own ears, but there is no doubt that Bird knows who her mama is. Just that morning, Ted had told Julie that he had been holding Clara and when they passed the picture of Julie sitting in some leaves that hangs in the hallway on the way to the nursery, Clara pointed at it frantically.

In case you're worried that Julie is going to let this all go to her head, fear not. She remembers only too well when Joe didn't allow her on the bed in the morning, to get him milk or water or anything else for that matter, to push his chair in, to get him scissors. . .In short, when the most common refrain in the house was, "DADDY WANT TO DO IT!" And after all, she's still can't lift Joe in and out of his car seat if Ted is around. Daddy want to do that.