Stare Down Bates

After only 24 hours in our house, the following story just has to be relayed. Little Miss was placed with us Friday night. On Saturday, we had our pre-planned baby shower. This posed several problems with what to tell Little Miss the party was for and how to introduce people. Finally we decided on the truth, that all of our friends and family were coming to celebrate her living with us. The party started at 3pm at the park around the corner from our house. At about 12:30pm, Little Miss started yawning while playing with the husband (M). I told Little Miss that she could lay down and rest before the party, so she would have the energy to play at the park. This was my first encounter with the StinkFace. It so absolutely screams No Way in Hell or Over My Dead Body or F You... whichever is your term. So, I told her again. She started screaming, crying, kicking, punching, etc. I picked her up and took her upstairs. I walked up and down the hall telling her to breathe and calm down. I told her that when she was done, that we were going to talk. After 10 minutes or so, she was reduced to a sort of grunt/growl noise. I put her down on her feet in the hallway. I gave her the option of going in her room for a nap or laying down with M to rest and watch cartoons. She gave me back the StinkFace. I told her that she had to answer me when I asked her a question, and I would wait for her choice. 10 minutes later we were still staring at each other standing in the hall. She hadn't done a single thing for 10 minutes since coming to live with us the night before. Then the moment of truth... she BLINKED. I knew right then that I had won. After a few more minutes, she sat down cross legged and Stinkfaced. 15 minutes after that, she laid down with her hands behind her head, to give herself the right angle for the continuation of Stinkface. Another 10 minutes after that, I calmly picked up my new little girl, who was DEAD ASLEEP in the middle of the hall. I put her down in her bed, tucked her in, kissed her forehead, and went to get ready for the party! Parents 1 Little Miss 0