Independence

Addie is wanting more and more independence each day and one of her favorite ways of demonstrating this is to buckle herself in and out of her highchair. She likes to practice by hanging on the front of the chair. It is absolutely hilarious to listen to this process, sometimes it takes her several minutes and the whole time she is grunting and groaning because she is in such an awkward and uncomfortable position, but that doesn't seem to stop her, she is a very determined little girl! A look of pure glee and such a sense of accomplishment when she hears the snap of the buckles come together. It is fun to see how excited she gets each and every time she does this. She is so proud of herself and looks up at us with this look of satisfaction just waiting for the compliment she knows is coming!

This picture was taken just a few minutes later, it is amazing how she can go from total happiness to a mild temper tantrum in a matter of seconds. This shot did not capture the flailing feet, high pitched whiny voice, and the very adamant statement "I want down" which of course means that she wants to go downstairs right this instant, even if Mommy is in the middle of trying to clean up the kitchen.

Addie proceeding to go downstairs by herself - which would be fine if she didn't persistently stand at the bottom of the stairs and yell for us to come down and join her!