Our daughter Aunika turned two and I think that the mood swings began shortly after. One minute she is the sweetest and cutest girl, the next she is snooty and crying and throwing a tantrum. It reminds me of a light switch. You are not sure what turns it on or off but it randomly goes on and off! With the two's we are starting to notice the want for independence. She would like to do everything herself, and if she can not do it herself first, the light switch is turned on! That is she throws a tantrum. It is always "Aunika do it" or "I do it" it is so much fun to see her want to gain independence.
Since she wants so much independence we decided to start potty training. After 2 weeks of potty training I think we are there. Except for night time and for nap time, she tells us when she has to go. We have had a few accidents here and there and I am sure there will be more to come. For example when daddy had to take her to the potty...she insisted that he put the smaller potty lid on the big potty, but he couldn't figure out how it went. So by time he got the lid onto the potty Aunika was standing there and couldn't hold it any longer, so oops her pants were soaked. Those Daddies they need to work a bit faster for the little one's bladder.
My favorite example of independence is Aunika's need to help out with everything. She loves to help us put the dishes away. She will hand us the dishes and tell us where they go if she can not reach its spot. Aunika also insists on helping make dinner almost every night now. If she can not make it she still pulls up a chair to the counter and climbs up and watches. What a big girl.
