"David, do you think our daughter is a genius?" I asked him last week. I could tell when I saw the look on his face that he was not sure how to answer the question. This is one of those questions - there is no right answer. "What makes you say that?" he asked me back.
Here's the truth - all children are geniuses. Not in terms of reading, or math, or knowing all the constellations. But when it comes to manipulation, they've got it down. With Archer, I think it took me a little longer to realize when he was manipulating me. But I recognize it now, and I see it already in Shelly. Actually, it started a month or more ago. And I'm not talking about the crying because she's hungry or tired or cold, like all babies do from the beginning. I'm talking about contrived manipulation, with a little plan that they know will get results.
"Mom just walks out of the room after she sets me down, she makes me follow after her, she doesn't pick me up right away. But Dad, he'll probably pick me up..." And she walks over to him. When he's not home, she has no choice but to follow me out of the room, I don't have the energy to carry her every second, and she can walk, so I walk away and she follows after. I know the wheels are turning, she's figuring out what she can get away with, and with who. When Grandma Sue says "No no Shelly, don't touch the Christmas tree," Shell throws herself down, flips onto her back and looks right into Grandma's eyes and starts to cry. When Grandma Sue was telling me about the drama, Shelly heard the words "no no" and demonstrated the act for me, just as Grandma had described. When we call Shelly to come over here, she gets just close enough that you think she's going to do what you've said, and then suddenly veers away with a big smile on her face, waddling away as quick as she can on those short little legs.
Can you imagine learning as many new skills as babies do in their first two years? If anyone over the age of two picked up even half the new social, verbal, and physical skills that babies do, they'd be a miracle. But we somehow expect this from babies, and constantly think about the next milestone they're going to reach, and the next... What an amazing experience, to witness this happening in my own home, with my two kids!
We spent Christmas Eve at Grandma and Grandpa's house, great company, great food, and great gifts as usual. Despite the time crunch on Grandpa, he came up with three beautiful projects which will be treasured forever. But before they're treasured, they'll be banged around, bumped into walls, run over toes, and so forth... Thanks Grandpa!
See those mischievous eyes? That little sneak has learned how to open all the cupboard doors. Back to locking everything. I remember when we didn't have to lock everything up to keep Archer out - I was so relieved to not always be looking for the magnetic key that unlocks the cupboard doors. Now we're back to square one, but with an added dimension. Archer is VERY willing (and quick) to point out every transgression that his sister commits. About half the time I say "thanks for letting me know, Archer" and the other half the time I'm telling him "don't worry about what she's doing, I'll take care of it." 
and how many steps back? Archer likes the show "Maya and Miguel," and I was singing the theme song, but changing the words... "Its Maya & Miguel, brother and sister and best friends as well! Its Archer & Shell, brother and sister and best friends as well, brother and sister and best friends as well!" Archer's response: "She's not my best friend when she takes my toys away from me." Back to being Mom the Referee...
"David, do you think our daughter is a genius?" I asked him last week. I could tell when I saw the look on his face that he was not sure how to answer the question. This is one of those questions - there is no right answer. "What makes you say that?" he asked me back.
Mom's best friend: the vacuum that cleans not only the floor, but also the table, the chairs, the high chair, the crumbs out of my bed... (WHY are there crumbs in my bed when the kids are only allowed to eat crackers in the kitchen?) 
