Rookie Dad: Cookie Monster's crazy eyes

Crazy eyes have always intimidated me. Sometimes it's a blank look in them, other times they are so intense that they could burn through steel. Then there are the crazy eyes of a near-15 month-old girl who sees her dad walk in to the living room late on a Sunday afternoon with a stack of Generic Chocolate Sandwich Cookies (not Oreos) and a cold glass of milk for a snack.

That's how it all began. I wasn't quite cowering in the corner in fear but The Youngling's eyes were so huge. She didn't blink as she made her way around the coffee table and towards me. She had a determined look on her face that I had never seen before. It looked like she was practically a robot whose setting got turned to "eat cookies" mode. I knew that she wanted the cookies so I began stuffing all I could in to my mouth. I'm all for sharing but even at 15 months she needs to learn that some things just don't get shared -- especially dad's cookies.

But even without elaborating, you can already guess how this story ends.

The Youngling won the battle as I sat paralyzed by her crazy eyes, unblinking in their freakishness. I willingly handed over one not-an-Oreo and she went on her way. Toddling around the coffee table and couches in the living room, pausing only to rub her chocolatey face on the cushions to get mom's attention. Maybe it's time she learns to keep food in the dining room.