Whoa, Mama.

You know, not everyday is filled with train-watching, parties, guitar-playing, and giggles.  Oh, no.  Not. At. All. Count today among those not-so rosy days.  And, despite this calm-inducing cute, angelic face that you see there below, that little face is capable of some serious, epic tantrums.  I think we've experienced one (maybe even two) almost everyday since two Sundays ago.  How could someone so typically happy be so, so whoa? And so suddenly?

We've thought long and hard about what's triggering these inconsolable, non-destractable meltdowns in our normally non-tantrum-y A.  They're not for lack of sleep; she sleeps amazingly well.  Our guess: 1) teething (A. is grabbing at her back molars); 2) her cold; AND - quite simply - 3) development (as friend K. said today, "She's learning to bring herself back from emotional collapse.").  We're in a trying stage. And we just have to put on our calm face and support her (while thoughts of "help!" and "we're going to have TWO of these?!" run through our minds and I, in particular, find myself longing for an escape route and/or a long, hot bath and a stiff drink).

Thankfully, after an exceptionally long nap preceded by two major tantrums (she woke up at 6PM, no lie), we had a forgiving evening.  We enjoyed a walk to Trader Joe's and, on the way home, all was forgotten when A., grasping a flower I had given her, said, "Mama, Mama, kiss.  More kiss.  Mama, Mama, hug!"  So much nicer than minutes-long screaming, pounding, kicking, and flailing, yes?  YES.