Strange Obsessions

Kathryn Porter
Aug 30, 2017
4 min read

Astounding baby fact #47: They come with their own little personality and shoot dang does that little personality shine. Early. Quickly. and LOUDLY.

From the beginning Annie has had this sweetness to her, but also a strong determination. At first it was manifest in the most inconspicuous ways...how she would eat, how she moved her body, etc. As time goes on though, that personality grows brighter and brighter. And for Annie that means her determination has grown stronger as well.

One way that determination has made itself manifest is through her strange obsessions over her various stages of development. She has become quite opinionated, not in an obstinate way, but in a...can you guess it...determined way. She knows exactly what she wants and she'll go after it, fiercely love it, or incessantly ask for it.

Here is Annie's string of obsessions in some sort of lose chronological order:

Binky. If you've been following Annie at all, you know all about her obsession with Georgie, her giraffe Wubbanub. And oh sweet Wubbanub, I owe my sanity during the first 4 months of motherhood to you.

Lanyards, strings, ribbons, tags, etc. This was an obsession for a LONG time. I can't tell you haw many of my sweatshirt ties are nibbled on and frayed thanks to this strange delight.

Blankie. Flash Poll: do you find security blankets charming, annoying, disgusting...? All I know is Annie's love for her little muslin swaddles is absolutely precious!! Especially as she's asking for one when she's sleepy and clinging to it as she's falling asleep. This is what mom dreams are made of people!

Strawberries. It would not be much of a stretch to say that Annie LIVED off of strawberries for two months of her life. Strawberries were the first solid food that she really took to, which was a miracle in and of itself, as she refused all other solids. I don't know if she's got some fierce loyalty with all of that determination in her, but she kind of just stuck to those strawbs...

Eating the strawberries around the other fruit...and I thought I was being so sneaky! And that's Miralax...not sugar. I'm not THAT bad.

Peaches. ...until peaches came in season. And if you live in Utah Valley, you probably know that Allred Orchard Peaches are THE BEST PEACHES!! If you weren't already in the know, well then, you're welcome. We gave Annie her first taste of a fresh local peach and she was a gonner. More like the strawberries were a gonner. Goodbye red-stained lips and fingers. Hello to this gooey, sticky mess!

Stuffed Animals. Especially "Puppy" and "Teddy." She falls into them and kisses, or eats, their faces. ***heart squeezes***

Outside. She sees the window--and points outside. She see's the door, and runs to it, bangs on it, and begs to go out. She sees someone open the door and all of a sudden you're like, "Annie don't run into the street!" She's a quick one I'll tell you, and in love with the out-of-doors. It's a great and terrible obsession.

Books. She's very particular about which ones she likes and how long she wants to look at them with you. This may be my very favorite obsession.

Purses. I guess they are little sponges. She'd just figured out how to put it over her head. Look at the joy on that face

Climbing into chairs. What is it about "my-size" chairs that thrills these little ones? I don't know but she is obsessed with this rocking chair. Favorite game is climbing in and out of it.

Phones. I mean, which kid ISN'T obsessed? It's embarassing, exsasperating, and fascinating all at the same time. She can swipe and delete apps with the best of them and she's ONE. It's out of control -- I can't take pictures of her anymore without her reaching for the camera...#millenialmomproblems

Sunglasses. Proof that they can be taught! Annie HATED sunglasses the first time I tried to get her to wear them, which is a crying shame because...how adorable!? But I too can be determined. I put her in front of the mirror and put my glasses on me, then her glasses on her, and made a HUGE deal of how cute she looked. At first it was a game, and then it clicked and she's been obsessed ever since. Now if only that same strategy would work for vegetables...

Riding on things: We discovered this old, well-used tractor thing in the garage and now she wants to ride on it every day. Combine that with her outdoor obsession and we spend a lot of time going up and down the driveway.