March 21, 2005: Good news for me... maybe.

A few weeks ago Veronika started showing interest in putting things back in their place. Well, actually she started showing a NEED to put things back in their place. I would call her to come downstairs with me and she would, but then stopped, turned around and went back to her room to put the books back on the shelf or close the open cabinet door. I was stunned. I hadn't taught or shown her how to do that... you could tell she was really determined. Thus my diagnosis is not exceptional virtue, but rather light OCD (obsessive compulsive disorder). - I AM JOKING OF COURSE!

If you have religiously followed my blog though, which you have, you will know that her mother has similar compulsions when it comes to keeping things organized. In order. Put away. I am not an obsessive cleaner BY FAR. Just ask my mother. But I have my ticks.

And so I'm watching Veronika, every day a little more focused on the clean and organized part. It's cute, I love it. Unless we need to get something done... like put our shoes on, or leave the house, or go downstairs or upstairs... Every time she runs up to me to join me in any activity I just ordered, she stops, turns around and starts picking up things. The pencils in one spot. All the magnets back on the fridge. The piggy off the car. The bowl just licked by Digby in the sink. It never ends! I don't want to stifle her cleaning ambitions, no no, but please, we need to get going! I really had to put my foot down last week when we were about to leave the junior section of the library (that offers books and toys at toddler eye level) and she stopped, turned around and attempted to PICK UP THE LIBRARY.

Still, I can't help but feeling so proud of her. I love discovering her little character traits, it's exhilarating. I love to find the hangers neatly and symmetrically distributed over all the knobs of the dresser. I love how she only picks one fresh diaper and puts the other ones that fell out the cabinet back on a pile. I love how she tries to fit all her shoes on the shoe rack by removing my boots (I'm not saying she is being logical)... I love your little ocds, baby!