Obsessions of a 19 Month Toddler

Toddlers are such a unique group of people. They're not really babies anymore but they lack the reasoning skills that define a kid or child. One thing that clearly stands out as a toddler is their constantly evolving obsessions with certain objects or routines.

Take for instance Bella's recent obsession with riding in what Jin has dubbed, the "spaceship". Every morning after breakfast without fail, Bella motions to the garage door where the SUV is parked. She claws and fusses near the door until we comply and lead her into the garage, into the front seat of the SUV where she becomes the pilot of the Acura Spaceship Enterprise. She sits in the front seat, busily turning on/off knobs, pushing buttons, and adjusting sideview mirrors as she guides the ship into space and beyond. After 10-20 minutes of flying, Bella stands up in the front seat and says, "Out", which really sounds more like, "Ut".

So out we go as Captain Bella has commanded (as compliant parents that we are). On to the next obsession, "Nemo".

Finding Nemo has been Bella's crowning achievement. She watches the movie (no joke) at least 2-3 times a day. She delights in the part where Nemo is captured by the human scuba divers, screaming along with the characters, "Oh No!! No! Nemo!" When Nemo swims the sea searching for his dad, he calls out in a sing-song manner, "Da-ad! Daaa-ad!". And Bella does the same, walzing about the house calling, "Da-ad! Daaa-ad!". We're lucky Nemo is actually an entertaining movie - I can see how the movie quickly becomes a kid favorite. But 4 times a day is borderline insanity for us adults. Fortunately for us, this obsession peaked a few days ago and the frequency has weaned down to 1-2 times a day max.

Bella's next obsession, which lasted all but a few days, was quite expensive. We were at Toys R Us the other day and we made the mistake of turning down the bicycle aisle. As we predicted, Bella started freaking out, wanting to ride all the bikes. We assisted her onto several of the safer toddler bikes, but Bella insisted she ride on a more authentic looking bike. Her feet barely reached the pedals and she didn't even know how to pedal, but Bella was in LOVE.
Her heart was settled on the Radio Flyer Canopy Steering Tricycle, which actually can be pushed and steered by an adult from behind.

$129.00 Obsession

Jin and I looked hesitantly at one another thinking that this would be one expensive obsession. But then Bella's bright and gleeful smile melted our hearts and Grandma Chou quickly jumped in to purchase the bike. This wasn't to be the last time Bella flashes her pearly whites to win the hearts of Grandpa and Grandma.

Once we got home, Grandpa and Grandma Chou, who are here visiting, helped to assemble it. Of course we considered safety and bought a Little Mermaid bike helmet to wear while riding, and soon Bella was finally ready for her first ride. We should have known that Bella would resist wearing the helmet - she has always had little tolerance for anything on her head. After several attempts of explaining that 'no helmet=no bike', Bella finally realized that throwing a tantrum while sitting on the bike would not move it unless she had the helmet on her head. Needless to say, she has lost nearly all interest in her LOVE. In fact, it currently sits in the garage collecting dust after only a few rides.

Bella is now calling for me from the bottom of the stairs (I am upstairs). "MOM! Mom!" I think I must go and attend my little obsessive-compulsive youngling...