Quiet Please, Jaycee has something to say...

Jaycee's latest act is the speech. No, I don't mean speech in general, I mean the speech. As she goes through her day, she occasionally encounters a situation where an announcement is necessary. For example, Bella (our Chihuahua) has figured out that all she needs to do is follow Jaycee around when she is hungry. For the most part, Jaycee doesn't mind sharing with the dogs, but she has her limits. When Bella was getting a little too pushy and started trying to take food out of Jaycee's hand, Jaycee felt like she needed to take a moment to address the situation. Jaycee stopped walking, put her hand in the air, as if to announce that she needed everyone's attention, then she pointed her finger in Bella's face. Jaycee then proceeded to unload a series of verbal tongue lashings, which included some "wa wa wa" and "dawoo dawoo". We haven't fully learned Jaycee speak, but you get her point when you watch her.

Jaycee's lectures are usually reserved for the dogs, but her speeches are for everyone. Sometimes she'll stand there for two minutes with all eyes on her, speaking to everyone that is listening. What happens if you don't listen? Simple, she gets louder. Something tells me this kid won't be the one hiding in the back of the classroom...

Baby-Destructo...

I am always amazed how such a small creature is always so sure about what she wants (and doesn't want). Jaycee is very particular about her wants. When she wants a blanket, she wants a specific one. When she gathers her toys, she puts them in order. If you should happen to move one, she gets angry and is forced to reorganize them. It is very funny to watch.

Now for the dark side. When Jaycee wants something that see can't have or if she just isn't getting it fast enough, the tantrum emerges. The problem with the tantrum isn't that she throws herself around and slams herself on the floor, but its when she gets destructive with her surroundings. When Jaycee gets angry, she throws anything she can get her hand on and even smacks things against the floor, all while screaming. This reaction has earned her the nickname, baby-destructo.

Her personality, when she isn't angry, also contributes to her nickname. Jess and I recently purchased our first house and have had some work to do on it. We had to paint and scrub, but we also had to remove wallpaper and we had a few paint spills to scrape off the floor. We noticed that Jaycee wasn't very interested in the painting or cleaning, but she was very involved in the demolition. She helped to rip wallpaper on the wall and even grabbed a chisel and smacked in on the floor like her daddy to get the paint off.

I'm curious to see where her affinity for destruction leads her. I thought doctor or veterinarian would be her calling, but now I'm starting to think demolitions expert could be a career path. I can see it now: Baby-Destructo Inc...