Intensity

It hasn't been a sudden realization by any means, but lately I find Elisa to be so intense. Everything she does is full of passionate giggles or alternating with screams and hysterical crying. There is not a lot of in between. If she loves something, she will want to do it again and again in that way that toddlers do. It's one track living. If it's the ipod, she will wake up pointing at it waving and trying to turn it on. If it's blowing bubbles, she will stop, pivot and start repeating "bubbles, bubbles" over and over again until we find where I have stashed them. It's always something and usually when we are able to satisfy this craving, she is happy and smiling and perfectly at peace in the world. But when she's not--watch out. When she wants another sip from your straw and you are trying to eat a meal out in peace, or she wants to gather all the ice cubes out of your drink or wants to sip a beer IN PUBLIC (sorry, yes, she loves beer) it just can't be done. And then the wailing and flailing and sometimes biting (again, yes, she loves to relieve her anguish through her teeth) begins. If I can think fast and find something to distract her or move the temper tantrum from full blown to moderate, I try. Have you seen my phone? Oooh, look at Papa's iTouch. Wait, are those keys you can dangle and smack on the floor? It sometimes works, but more often lately, it's futile. She wants to wail. She LOVES the attention. And if there is a mirror around, she will watch herself cry in it. Did we mention Leos are drama queens??