Baby Maija Bug

Anja's world of make believe is on all the time. From the time she wakes up in the morning yelling for Mommy Bear or Dinosaur, she is always a character from a movie, book or TV, or a random animal. Often she won't acknowledge our comments to her unless we address her as the correct persona. She also gives the dog a name, usually another animal, like Bullseye the horse or Randall the monster. And now Maija is included too. Anja gave herself the name of Frannie the Bunny from a book we were reading, and the little bug hiding on each page became Baby Maija Bug: "What are you doing there, Baby Maija Bug? Don't hide over there, Baby Maija Bug!" Today she told a boy at the playground and the cashier at the supermarket that her name was Big Bird.

Meanwhile, Anja continues to be mostly unimpressed with her little sister. She is pretty demanding of our time when we are holding the baby, especially if Jay is holding her. Suddenly she needs to be picked up, or to play a game if we are holding the baby. Even worse, she misbehaves when we're holding Maija. Twice in the last few days she has taken off running down the sidewalk. Luckily one of us could run and catch her, but if I were by myself with both kids I don't think I could, she is really fast! She thinks this is incredibly funny, but it means that I'll probably wait a little while before going to the park with both kids by myself.

Sometimes there are some cute moments too, and Anja does kiss Maija goodnight and does like to share the new books and toys Maija has been getting, without seemingly being jealous of them.

A few days ago Anja invented a new, better sister. She has been walking around with her imaginary little sister dinosaur. She has been very clear that her little sister dinosaur can stand, and walk, and talk. Also her little sister dinosaur can play games with her, and read books, and play with playdoh. I guess this is the little sister she wishes she had right now? Anja refers to herself as Bigsistersaurus, I am Mommysaurus.

Conversations:

Anja: I do not want to take a nap!

Me: I know. But you only have to take one nap. Baby Maija is sleeping right now, she has to take a lot of naps because she is little.

Anja: Only one nap! Not two... or three... or two. Two is not for sleeping. It is for playing!

Me: Anja, don't pick your nose and eat it, that's gross.

Anja: No!

Me: Would you like a snack of some raisins?

Anja: No.

Me: You really don't want any raisins?

Anja: No.

Me: Just boogers to eat?

Anja: Yeah.