The Mia-nator

There are about 5 movies I've watched more than once*, and The Terminator is one of them. Mia is going through a phase that Jeff calls "The Mia-nator." (Check out the photo. Doesn't she remind you of Ahnold riding his motorcycle?) This phase is characterized by destructiveness, unstoppability, and terrorizing innocent beings. She loves nothing more than to try to tear things apart. She also uses books and toys as weapons. The Occupational Therapist told us this is quite appropriate for her age of development. My friend at work (a psychologist) tells me you can't really call it destructiveness at her age, because it lacks a certain intent. She says being 15 months old is all about experimentation, cause and effect, and delighting in seeing that you can manipulate your world.
Who is the Mia-nator terrorizing? Mostly me, Sarah, and the dog. She likes whacking me when I least expect it, often with her hard little skull. She tried to bite me in the knee yesterday, but I took quick evasive action. Sarah has a theory that Mia enjoys hearing us say "Ouch!" I think Sarah is on to something. Mia often giggles her most sinister giggle, and if we say ouch really loud, we may get a belly laugh. As for the dog, Sam likes to hang around the kitchen or wherever Mia is playing. Mia has learned that the dog is a bit skittish and will jump if Mia picks something up and drops it within 2 feet of her**. Mia really loves that game. Toy pots and pans, empty cardboard boxes -- you name it, Mia can figure out how to scare the dog with it. Of course, we're onto her now, so we're watching out for poor Sammy***.
The good news? At this point, we haven't heard any unfavorable reports from preschool, and believe me I don't plan to seek them out.

*The remake of Heaven Can Wait with Warren Beatty and Julie Christie has the record with 5 viewings, all in the 1980's. And by the way, it won the Academy Award for Best Screenplay.
** My friend Pete used to say if he was reincarnated he wanted to come back as my dog. I suspect he wouldn't say that now.
*** Sammy is still top dog in one respect. She gets to sleep on our bed at night, while Mia has to stay in her crib. It's the least we can do.