Thursday, October 1, 2009

Conversations with Strangers


I believe I've mentioned my children's dislike for pretty much anyone outside of our nuclear family? Well, people, I think we've had a breakthrough. Usually when we are on the elevator, if it stops to let someone in, they start yelling "No! No! No!" and continue this until the offending party gets off. It's charming.

Today it stops and I groan inwardly waiting for the verbal assault to begin when a pleasant maintenance worker with the building gets on. I wait but no screaming. In fact, one twin sort of sheepishly makes eye contact in what could be the two-year-old version of flirting. Then, without warning, SHE SPEAKS TO HIM. And here is exactly what she says: "I make poop." Just kind of factually. Like it's her job.

It may not be appropriate conversation to have with a stranger, but it was conversation nonetheless. Now all we have to do is work on the content of what we say to the innocent passerby. The other twin just sort of sulked and gave him the stink eye but at least she didn't yell "Nooooo!" with petrified urgency like Ted Bundy just hopped on the elevator. Baby steps.

In other uninteresting baby news (people, I can't always be entertaining), the girls are now waking up at 6:15 am. This morning, I hear rustling around on the monitor at 6:10 and exactly five minutes later I hear "Mommy! Mommy! Outside!" This, loosely interpreted means, "Mommy, get your ass in here and take us to the park." At 6:15 am, mind you. So when I walk in their room I'm greeted with "Hi. Get dressed." Is there a mental disorder where one cannot tolerate being inside. Like the opposite of agoraphobia? If so, my girls have it.

PS -- This is them at the park at 7:35 am when normal families are having breakfast and watching Sprout. I wish I had a photo of the interaction with the maintenance guy but didn't think to whip out my phone. Maybe next time. When hopefully she'll continue to discuss the contents of her diaper.


8 comments:

  1. I think your twin is on to something... so many times I've wished someone in the elevator would just say "I farted," so that we can all stop wondering.

    ReplyDelete
  2. i would have turned the monitor off. my kiddo is 5 and i am an expert at ignoring him in the mornings. he knows not to bother me until 7am. he will play in his room or turn on Nick. i even taught him to put his Eggo waffles in the toaster and how to use the big Costco jug of syrup. it buys me at least an extra 1/2 hour. adorable picture. take care.

    ReplyDelete
  3. I bet you never have to fight for the swings at 7:15 in the morning, huh?

    ReplyDelete
  4. That conversation was awesome! She'll probably be the child who soon will feel free to completely spill all the goings on of your household to complete strangers. I love when they reach that milestone. Also, you are a great mom. The park at 7 in the morning?!? My god, you deserve an award or something! I might have just turned down that monitor and pretended like I didn't hear anything...

    ReplyDelete
  5. The park at 7am? I hope you plan on treating yourself to those boots sometime soon!

    ReplyDelete
  6. I love the poop comment. My 3-year-old announced something to my sister the other day. I don't remember what it was, only that it wasn't really any of her business and thankfully wasn't embarrassing (like every single thing we'd bought at Target the day before, something like that). And I was suddenly reminded that they'll tell anyone anything, so you'd better be careful about what you tell them.

    Fortunately, though they think 5:30 is morning (I disagree), they don't insist on going to the park for at least a few hours.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Our baby loves other people, it's Mom and Dad who scream and cry when strangers come around. Will have to try that elevator trick in the future.

    ReplyDelete
  8. "I make Poop" AWESOME.
    If I was the maintenance I would have snorted trying not laugh and then dissolved into inappropriate giggles. Good thing I don't work with the general public anymore.

    ReplyDelete