That FACE!

Hazel and I are kind of like sisters. We hang out all the time and have our ups and downs like all sisters. The only problem is I have to play Mom, too, and discipline her. I always thought I'd be a tough mom because I had practice being a school teacher. Well, it turns out it doesn't exactly transfer. When Hazel does something naughty, I try to put my game face on and say very sternly, "No." A couple seconds later, I can't keep a straight face! It happens almost every time... even when I'm actually really annoyed like when she yanks my hair and laughs or tries to hit me. I've even tried to pull her hair back, and she just looks at me like I'm crazy, which makes me laugh. Flicking doesn't work either because sometimes it turns out to be a sissy flick, which makes HER laugh. Oh boy. I actually know what works though, and it offends her to the core...that is to put her down and ignore her. It's so hard to do though when she puts out that quivering lower lip, showing her 2 little bottom teeth. Heartbreaking. And then that FACE! I just can't handle the cuteness. The reality of the matter is that as she gets older, I know there will be fewer and fewer times that I can't keep a straight face while disciplining, so for now I'll just enjoy the fact that our biggest problems are temper tantrums and occasional toy stealing and hair pulling. I hope I can pull it together in the next few years. I'm going to need a lot of practice since she's not getting any less cute.

Side note: My little baby is now 15 months and still near the top of the growth charts for height and weight. I still can't figure out how James and I have a tall baby. James figured that since she's close to 3 feet tall, she'll probably be 3 feet tall when she's 2, which means she'll be about 6 feet tall as an adult. haha I guess we'll see!