A drive to the drugstore

We need diapers and a new toothbrush for Violet so we're driving to the Walgreens with the parking lot.

"Mom? Do you like cheese?"

"No, I don't."

Reflectively to herself. "I do I do I do like cheese."

"Yes, you like cheese. Most people do. It's kind of weird that mommy doesn't like it, but I don't."

"Daddy likes cheese. Granddaddy likes cheese. Gaga likes cheese, Michael Michael (this is sometimes what she calls her Uncle Mike) likes cheese. You don't like cheese?"

"Well, I like some cheeses. I like the hard, grating cheeses like romano and parmesan."

"PU, you like stinky cheese! Your cheese stink, PU."

No wonder she never wants me to grate cheese on her spaghetti anymore. .

Then: "I want underpants," she announces. My heart leaps. I have been waiting for her to make up her damn mind to use the potty. She's been resistant.

Carefully, I say: "Do you want to buy some underpants and not wear diapers, and use the potty?"

She squints at me in the rearview mirror. "Waaah waaah I not use potty! I tiny baby! Please, I want diapers, no use potty!"

Sigh. "OK hon, it's not a big deal. You'll be ready to use it when you're ready." And let it be soon, Lord. Let it be soon.

In the drugstore, I also found that she has reached a horrible new milestone. She kept grabbing stuff and asking for it. "Mama, I want new sippy cup. Mama, I want bag of boons (balloons). Mama, I want Swede Fish (she has had exactly one Swedish Fish in her life, and it was almost eight months ago, and she is only 28 months old. WTF??)!" I bought her a slinky and a Dora toothbrush, I nixed everything else. She was happy enough when I refused. But still, she asked. Ugh, I knew this was coming, the "I wants." And the equanamity at not getting what she wants won't last either, I know.