Don't mess with Giuliana & the baby stroller!

We were at a fun birthday party today to celebrate the 2nd birthday of our friend's twins. It was a great time and the kids had no problem jumping in and finding kids and toys that they liked playing with.

Mid-way through the party, Giuliana found a baby stroller and a baby... and suddenly, she was hooked. She wouldn't go anywhere without the stroller and the baby. She pushed the stroller through the house, down the sidewalk, on the grass... everywhere. And, she would frequently take her baby out, hold baby tight, then sit baby down in the grass... maybe in a chair, then put baby back in the stroller to push her around again.

There were a lot of little babies at this party and Giuliana was fascinated with these real-life little babies. Every time she came near one, she would stop and stare at the baby... say "baby" and watch intently what the mom or dad was doing. She saw babies getting diapers changed, burped, nursing, cuddled, and crying. It was obvious that she was completely entertained and interested in all of these little people. Then, she would go back to pushing the stroller around.

Several times, other little kids tried to play with the stroller. Giuliana did not like this. A 4 year old girl came up to her and sort of took the stroller from her... and Giuliana wasn't happy. But, she didn't cry - she actually looked more shocked. But, she was not about to go away. The mom came over and told the little girl she couldn't take the toy away from Giuliana.

Then, we witnessed other little ones 18mnths-2yrs of age go up and try to push the stroller. Giuliana would quickly motor along pushing the stroller not allowing the other little ones to touch it. A little guy, nicknamed Lucky, came up at one point and started pushing it and Giuliana could quickly be heard yelling and screaming "HEEEEEEEEEEEY!! HEEEEEEEEY!". We had to go over to her and try to explain that he could push it too, she had to share. But, she didn't care to hear that. A few minutes later a little girl started pushing the stroller. Giuliana went up and grabbed the little girls arm and yelled "Heeeeeey!" and quickly swiped the stroller from the little girl, and strolled off quickly. I hustled over and tried to tell Giuilana that she couldn't take the stroller from someone else, she had to share. But she didn't want to hear it and continued crying and screaming after I picked her up to let the other little girl use the stroller.

We decided it was time to leave. As we were gathering all our stuff, Giuliana got her hands on the stroller again. Ugh. I knew this was a bad thing. How were we going to leave without her screaming her head off when we took her away from the stroller?

Let's just say it didn't go so well. She screamed so hard and was so upset... my heart was torn! She screamed all the way to the car. Dan put her in the car seat, and she continued sobbing, screaming and pointing out the window. She wanted that stroller! She wouldn't even look at Dan or I, and wouldn't let me touch her leg to console her. She was SO MAD that we took her from that stroller. Eventually, she cried herself to sleep.

So, being the sucker that I am... we stopped at Target on the way home and bought her an $11 baby stroller. The second she saw it - she smiled sooooo big.

Giuliana LOVES the baby stroller!!