Trouble

If I could choose one word to describe Matilda in all her 22-month-old glory, it would most definitely be trouble.

She has taken that ferocious toddler curiosity to the next level - not just opening cupboard drawers to shuffle through the contents, but using the open drawer as a step ladder to reach those precious breakables stashed safely 'out of reach' atop said cupboard.

But her greatest achievement, in her eyes at least, this past week - learning how to get out of her cot.  In one slick motion she hitches a leg over the railing, her body effortlessly sailing after, before lowering her feet to the ground with controlled and slow precision - quite Commando like.
Thankfully she hasn't the confidence to do this during the dark of night as yet, however needless to say those recent rare day sleeps will no doubt be a thing of the past from here on in.  Sigh.

It's not all bad though...In fact, much of her shenanigans are met with laughter and an affectionate squeeze, as she continues to entertain us all with her bravery and new found confidence. 
Just yesterday, as we celebrated my Birthday with dear friends, Matilda and her bestie embodied the notion of double trouble.  Aside from tearing the house apart like only toddlers can, these two took every opportunity they could to be sneaky while their mamas were distracted with tea and cake.  The pictures above were taken after a suspicious moment of silence revealed them hauled up in the bathtub, ready to attack our host's stash of delicate and enticing perfume bottles.  Their delight at being discovered only moments from certain disaster was hilarious - it's funny the way they take pleasure in being busted, the act of naughtiness totally worth the risk.

So on we go, keeping our eyes and ears open, at the ready for all those extra crashes and tumbles that seem the norm these days.  It's busy and at times exhausting, but even more so hilarious - that determination and cheek shining through the older she gets.