Thanks BG, babe. Would never throw good suggestions away on the scrap heap. I have a bouncer in the kitchen for Phoebe and I have one on the dining room table (the only safe place, LOL!) but I was just being lazy. That's why I blame myself.
And yeah, the defiance is an age thing I am sure, but I just can't deal with it sometimes, KWIM? I find it hard to look at it as just her stage of development... It just feels 'naughty' when I ask her over and over again. And then of course I feel like an ogre all the time, spoiling her fun. I tell her off for climbing on the change table, climbing on the side of Phoebe's cot, taking play doh off the table, etc. Of course there's good reason for telling her she can't, but it just feels like she wants to do everything she's not allowed to.
I hadn't considered the CC angle. You're right, she is no doubt looking for similar interaction here. She has in recent months become HEAPS more sociable with other kids. Today she was mimicking a girl at the park (a much older girl... it was actually really funny) and trying to interact with her. A few months ago she would've just been clutching my leg because she was shy.
Anyway, thanks for your kind words. I do feel heaps better today. And, LOL! I must get the girls in teh bath now