She wears my (old) sunglasses at night….because she thinks they make her “see better”….

See, here’s the thing. For the monkey and I to coexist in harmony now that school is over, we have some SERIOUS work to do. Because she does it ALL DAY. WITH ME. And, with me only.

Let’s see…. She clings. She whines. She NEEDS. All day long. And, I finally recognized this today. I finally recognized what’s been WEARING ME RIGHT OUT every single day.

Look! Playing independently….

…YOU WOULD THINK. But, noooo. Apparently, playdough is a TEAM-ORIENTED activity. DUDE!?!

So, I set her up with the playdough, roll a few pancakes, make a few butterflies, horses and, of course, kitty cats. I put in my time. But, it’s not enough. I go to sit down at my computer to take a MUCH-NEEDED break with my twitter buds and maybe write a post or two, and I get yelled at: “MAMA, COME!” Excuse me? I’m right here. We are in the same teeny tiny living room. You are practically right beside me. And, why are you YELLING in this teeny tiny living room? I can hear you BREATHING.

Eventually, she releases me. Only to leave the playdough but a few seconds later to climb up on the couch beside me, stick a thumb in her mouth and claw at my clavicle (yes, I’m being serious).

She’s not like this with anyone else. With everyone else — teachers, it’sgrandma, even Josh-O — she’s a great independent player. Yet with me she CLINGS to my thighs, my shirt, my hands, my clavicle. Like a LEACH, like a, ermmm, newborn. How old is too old for baby sling???


Photo, with thanks, c/o Celebrity Baby Blog.

Noah Wyle’s daughter Auden (2.5 yo) is still in the sling…. And, Kate Hudson carried her daughter son Ryder HAIRCUT in a sling when he was this HUGE already….


Photo, with thanks, c/o Celebrity Baby Blog.

Ahhh, the monkey would LOVE it. Soooo close to clavicle….

Anyway, NOT HAPPENING. We’re talking through our issues instead. And, and, AND, I SIGNED US UP TO TAKE A DANCE CLASS…TOGETHER! Just the two of us! “I WILL LLLLLLOVE THAT!” she said when I told her about it. I’m thinking that spending that fun concentrated time together every week (just us) will get ME out of her system a little.

It’s a work in progress. We BOTH need to be happy if we’re going to spend SO MUCH time together this summer.

I know, in a few years I’ll be WISHING for a cuddle. I know. I SO know. I’m NOT forgetting to be grateful, and I am enjoying the little projects we do together….

Hmph. She’s a cheaty little monkey, that one…. I hope she’ll always covet my clavicle…. I just need a liiiiiiitle space now and then on these long hot summer days. Too much to ask?