The Great Escape...

... or possibly just gradually developing independence.

Rosemary's latest 'thing' is opening and closing doors. And shutting us out of/herself in rooms. And for the most part she's happy to stay in there on her own for a bit. I think she'll be happier still once she's properly got the hang of turning the door handles in this house (they aren't the easiest for a little person to master). She's managed the bathroom one a couple of times, now, and is quite close to getting the living room one mastered as well. The kitchen door doesn't ever shut properly anyway, so she's in and out of there with no trouble. It helps, I think, that all the downstairs doors have glass in them, so she can see us (given the correct angles, of course).

Oddly, though, this bid for independence has been accompanied by a sudden fascination with the word 'No':

– Right, you need to put your shoes on, so we can go out.
– No!
– We can't go out unless you put your shoes on.
– No!
– Do you want to put them on yourself or shall Mummy do it?
– No, no, no, no!
– Would you prefer your wellies?
– No!
– OK. Well, Mummy's going to pick you up and put your shoes on, anyway.
– No! No! No! No!

And many other similar scenarios. Particularly when she's tired. To be fair, this was only really yesterday and a bit this morning, but we're so used to having a reasonably accommodating daughter who, though often requiring a bit of cajoling, explanation or bribery, tends to get there reasonably quickly and with few tears, that it's come as a bit of a shock. Please, please, please don't let this be the start of the 'Terrible Twos'!