Night and Day

From 2010-08-12

Have you ever seen a two year old furrow their brow any harder? I can't imagine. This picture displays the difference between these two boys even though they came from the same gene pool. Upfront they are both delightful children to be around (most of the time.) They are both good eaters, good sleepers, and well behaved for the most part. But their temperaments are like the difference between night and day.

Miles takes 15 minutes to wake up in the morning and heaven forbid if you have to wake him from a nap before he is ready. He would rather be in his PJs all day (with no shoes), and will tell me he does not want to go outside. He would rather sit on the couch. Grant wakes up running, and wanting to go out the door - in the car, outside, to the store, to church - anywhere. He wants his shoes on and his "new clothes" on by an hour after he is awake.

Miles has never known a stranger since the day he was born. He loves all people. Waves to everyone at the store. He has never been much of a clinger because he loves being with people. Grant has to get used to people before he is going to even LOOK at you. My grandmother, who we see about once a month, thinks that I have somehow told him stories on her because he will not run up and give her a hug. Grant likes his inner circle of friends and anyone else is going to have to earn his attention.

Miles will sit and watch tv all day. Grant might watch it for 15 minutes. Miles loves reading books. Grant does not have the time for a book.

Miles is not Mr. Independent. He will gladly accept your help, in fact you can do it all for him and he doesn't care. He is very laid back - borderline lazy. Since Grant could speak, he was asserting his independence. If I try to help him into his car seat, he immediately slides out and climbs back in by himself. 

I mentioned they are both pretty good eaters but Miles likes his fruits and veggies (preferrably raw) and pasta. He doesn't care so much for meat. Grant is a meat and potatoes kind of boy. He will eat a few veggies but his portfolio is much more limited than Miles'. Now sit a bowl of mashed potatoes in front of him and he will clean it out for you.

Night and day they are, but I know big things are in store for both of them. I'm praying they can find productive outlets for these traits and that I will figure out how to teach them according to these strengths and weaknesses.