Just this past week, Avery seems to have taken on the “terrible twos” duty 5 months too early. She is climbing, crying, and clinging more than ever before which means my wife and I need hurry and adapt to the increased energy very soon!

In the mornings, as Going Mom is getting ready for work, Avery hardly cares what I’m doing and wants to spend all of her time “helping” Mommy as she tries to get ready. Sometimes Nuttzo and banana helps deter her, but when the hair dryer comes on, she’s gone.

I feel bad when the only thing to do is just shut the doors to keep Avery from going in to throw everything out and tug at my wife as she tries to get ready, and I know it hurts Kelley too. Even though I know it’s all phase (isn’t everything, really?), it hurts me too when she could care less about Dad when Mom is around.

This really only happens in the morning, but still, no parent would like the feeling I’m sure. I could babble on, but today’s picture was captured just after Kelley left for work and Avery was crying for attention. She doesn’t cry when my wife leaves, just while she’s there.

She gets over things quickly and we usually have a fairly good day, minus the crazy toddler part, but seeing the tear just makes things so dramatic. Besides the drama, I love the photo, and of course her beautiful blue eyes.

Does your kid go through phases of liking one parent over the other?