Do you ever take on the characteristics of the person with whom you spend the most time? Well, for me that person is about two and a half feel tall and loves to dance around in nothing but a diaper and sing songs by the Backyardigans.

Yes, I think I have taken on some of my two year old’s tendencies.  I am trying to fight my reactions, but I find that I am getting very defensive/upset about REALLY stupid things: parents naming their kids Addison (or Addie or any derivative of Addison) after I spent so long planning such a special name (it was my Grandfather’s name) and then BOOM! It’s the eighth most popular name in the year Addison was born.  No longer unique.  I’m defensive about Addie maintaining something that is special to HER as her life fills with (wonderful, incredible) cousins.  I find myself “grading” other people’s kids against mine – are they as cute? As smart? It makes me feel like a horrible person.

I don’t want to be like this…when I catch myself doing any of those things (or any number of other examples that are too stupid to list here) I tell myself to knock it off and act like an adult.  Sometimes it’s harder than others – I want the best for my daughter and know that my instinct with ALWAYS be to do what I can to make sure she has, and is, the best and the brightest.

But instinct isn’t always what reality calls for. I have to swallow my crazy and let her tiny little feet find their own path…but I’ll always be there holding her hand and believing that no one can hold a candle to her beauty, intellect or charm.

I just hope I don’t start running around in diapers belting out Backyardigans tunes any time soon.