Mom and Pop. {Winner.}

Of course, I can't find the article now, but I know I've read in more than one place that kids with Down syndrome tend to have high emotional intelligence.

(Baby yawn.)

Case in point: Eleanor Claire.

Ellie has already learned to play the "mom and pop" game.  For example, the other day, I was holding a content Ellie.  Enter, Matt.

Ellie: Ahhh!  Wahh!!  My life sucks!!  My parents starve me!!  (Wink at Daddy.)

So of course, Daddy holds her, she smiles, she is back to content, beautiful, happy, joyful baby.

Oh no.  That wouldn't possibly last when Mommy is nearby.

Ellie: Wait, Mommy stopped holding me so Daddy could hold me!  Nooo!  My life sucks again!!

Ellie goes to Mommy.  And goes ballistic.

She clearly was upset that she was only being held by one parent at a time, when she has two perfectly adoring parents who should both be holding her, and feeding her, and loving her, and pushing her in the stroller, all at the same time, at all times.

This is only a problem when both parents are present.  Ellie is a "lap baby," or baby who will only sleep while held.  I like the place the blame on the NICU and Grandma Sally.  Grandma Sally is happy to accept the blame.  I love that our little one is snuggly and cuddly.  I love that she is adored.  I love that she wants to be near people all the time.  I laugh when she refuses to sleep because she might possibly miss something.

Scratch that.

I laugh briefly when Ellie won't sleep because she might possibly miss some excitement.  Then, I pace with Ellie.  I feed Ellie.  I beg Ellie to sleep.

And you know what?  She's the easiest baby ever.  Provided she's in someone's arms.  She's a "grass is always greener" type, so she likes the arms of whoever is not holding her the best.  She's easy to calm, she sleeps through the night, and of course, since I'm writing this, I'm guaranteeing myself a 3 am wake-up. (I wrote this the night before I hit "publish post."  She woke up at 4, but went back down.) 

(She is really into the fabric on this dress.)

Due to Ellie's emotional intelligence, I think she is plotting to take over our house, or maybe the world.  I spot her plotting with Leonard the Lion on a fairly frequent basis.  Since Ellie is already in charge of this family, I can accept an Ellie-Leonard takeover, provided they let us listen to Coldplay and not just "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star."  (Sidenote: Why do all children's toys play that song?  Matt thinks it to lull kids into a false sense of security for "breakdown diffusing.")

Until Ellie's total takeover, we'll just go along with her requests.  Her most recent request is that we announce the winner of the Scene Not Herd giveaway.  Even if you didn't win, you can still get 20% off by entering "LittleMissStubborn" as the coupon code on Holly's site. 

And the winner is:

(Congrats!)

Samantha (Comment #12)

Congrats, and make sure to get in touch with me so I can hook you up with your winning necklace!