Pay attention, Disneyland:

Because I have an idea for a new ride. It has ups and downs, twists and turns, amazingly fun loop-d-loops, stomach-wrenching drops, a serene lull right in the middle, followed by more corkscrews and pleasant moments chased by blind drops you never see coming. Throw in a couple automated arms pummeling you - for reasons you have yet to figure out - that suddenly decide to give you the sweetest hug ever and blood curdling screams and unstoppable laughter, both of which are completely unprovoked...at least from what you can tell.

I call this ride...the two year old.

Today was just about like that. She woke up happy as could be. She even climbed out of bed on her own. It was so fun to be sitting at the computer and all the sudden, this very cheerful girl opens her door and says, "Hi Mommy!" I couldn't help but smile. But about 90 minutes later, that very cheerful girl's shift was up, and she left a little terror for her replacement. If I didn't meet all of her demands in less than a nano-second, I was subjected to wailing and gnashing of teeth. Not attractive on anyone let along a usually adorable toddler. She was willing to take her pajamas off, but there was no amount of convincing that would get her into real clothes. At one point, she even wanted to put the pajamas back on. I've learned at times like this, it's best just to give up, so she strutted around in just her diaper. About half an hour later, she brought me the shirt but still refused the pants. Baby steps, I guess. She was fully dressed by nap time. At one point, she wanted a snack; when I complied, she broke into huge tears and was completely inconsolable. But then just as quickly as that little terror showed up, we had another shift change, and we were back to cheerful. Somedays I wonder if she's bipolar.

After her nap, it was pretty much a repeat, including getting undressed in stages. First the pants came off. Then the shirt came off for her bath. After drying off, she refused the pajamas and went around in a diaper (which was tramatic in itself to get on) for about an hour before it was time for bed. After the perfectly happy little girl who woke up from the nap, we went through several personalities before bed time, and I'm exhausted.

But as I was rocking her to sleep, none of it mattered. I just sat there in the dark with this gorgeous little person cuddling with me, sucking her thumb (a habit I should probably start to wean her from), and counting on me to keep her safe and secure as she drifted off. I realized how blessed I am and how when it comes right down to it, I wouldn't trade this day for anything.