And there's our answer

It looks like it's not so much the Terrible Two's. More like the Terrible Tooth.

I finally saw it. She finally opened wide enough in just the right light for me to see it tonight: one big, fat second year molar poking its way partially through her lower left gum line.

Ah-HA!!! There are no words for me to explain how I felt. Relief? To sum it up, it all suddenly made sense. The thought of teething as the root of her major pissy attitude of the last week or 2 crossed my mind only once or so. It crossed my mind when the first night terror showed up a few weeks ago (there have been about 1-2 of those per week for the last 3 weeks). It crossed my mind a little with the extra car seat crankiness and even her irritability in the bath tub (she usually loves baths). Mom suggested it but I dismissed it. I bet if I took a second to go back through these posts on her previous teething symptoms, they're all similar with a few adjustments for her age. But there has been no drooling, and no hand sucking. She has asked for a tablet (Motrin) and even a paci in recent days, to which I replied: AS IF!

But now I get it. Whether this tooth is the source of her horrible attitude lately remains to be seen I guess. But the fact is that when I saw that tooth myself, the skies parted and I found peace and patience. I cheered to my mom and gave Anna hugs. She thought I was crazy I'm sure. I thought I had been patient over these last few days. While I ACTED patient, inside I was tired, pissed, and rushed. Now that I can (whether right or wrong) pin her attitude on a cause, I have totally let go and relaxed, and this evening has been just like the old days (pre-2 weeks ago). Can't explain it but even Anna was happier, less oppositional, and more cheery, just like her old self. It was a great night. Maybe she just picked up on my happiness and caught on too. I don't know. One way or another, it was just so much better.

And then I remembered I was always relieved to see a tooth poking in. Because this meant that my usually pretty chilled-out toddler had a reason she was recently turning "Terrible" and I could put off the "Terrible Two's" a little longer. So much relief in seeing that tooth. It holds ANSWERS.

But still I wonder how much longer we will be dealing with the car seat crap. She usually does get super pissy in the car seat when she's teething so I hope that's a portion of what's going on for us lately. I've been putting her straight from the car to Time Out once at home. Today on the ride home with my mom, she screamed. Mom threatened her a Time Out and she never said another peep (this has never even worked for me so either she obeys my mom and not me, or she's starting to believe she WILL get the dreaded Time Out at home after all). Either way, it bought my mom some peace in the car.

Well, it's time for me to watch some much needed TV. Night Night.

By the way, Paul is having a fantastic time at Cowboy College. He's so in his element. I am so glad he's having some real fun. He loves dirt and horses. And Westerns. Yee-ha!