I wrote last time about how being born first or second might affect a child's personality, but with Ben and Janae, there are also some interesting reversals to what you might expect from the oldest/youngest or even from a boy/girl. Although I am proud of my kids for transcending conventional stereotypes (I think that phrasing came straight out of my master's thesis!), I have to admit that I worry a bit about some of the things Ben has picked up from Janae. For example, Janae is the one who taught Ben to pick his nose! He actually never even thought of putting a finger up his nose until he saw Janae doing it . . . and then he decided to try it--while watching TV, lying in bed, sitting in the front row at story time, etc. Janae has also taught him some pretty interesting dance moves, which he loves to show off whenever music is playing, and--of course--there's the "Janae scream," which they do together while running around the house (maybe you've heard it if you've driven by while we've had our windows open!). She also loves to get REALLY DIRTY--in mud, sand, food, kitty litter--and Ben is starting to throw caution to the wind a bit more often (or at least get his hands a bit muddy once in a while). The problem is, Janae is so cute while she does all of these things that we can't help but laugh . . . and Ben has ALWAYS loved to make people laugh. On the more positive side, Janae also has no fear of climbing, sliding, talking to strangers--so she has helped Ben become more adventurous (he and Janae love to say "hi" to everyone they meet now), and Ben has helped Janae learn to love drinking from sippy cups, playing with cars/trucks/trains and reading books--and he's helped her learn to run to Mommy if she hears me start to count to three. Anita (who happens to be MY baby sister) was right when she told me that every mom should have at least two kids--because there really is nothing like seeing them together! We'll just need to keep an eye on that Janae :)
I wrote last time about how being born first or second might affect a child's personality, but with Ben and Janae, there are also some interesting reversals to what you might expect from the oldest/youngest or even from a boy/girl. Although I am proud of my kids for transcending conventional stereotypes (I think that phrasing came straight out of my master's thesis!), I have to admit that I worry a bit about some of the things Ben has picked up from Janae. For example, Janae is the one who taught Ben to pick his nose! He actually never even thought of putting a finger up his nose until he saw Janae doing it . . . and then he decided to try it--while watching TV, lying in bed, sitting in the front row at story time, etc. Janae has also taught him some pretty interesting dance moves, which he loves to show off whenever music is playing, and--of course--there's the "Janae scream," which they do together while running around the house (maybe you've heard it if you've driven by while we've had our windows open!). She also loves to get REALLY DIRTY--in mud, sand, food, kitty litter--and Ben is starting to throw caution to the wind a bit more often (or at least get his hands a bit muddy once in a while). The problem is, Janae is so cute while she does all of these things that we can't help but laugh . . . and Ben has ALWAYS loved to make people laugh. On the more positive side, Janae also has no fear of climbing, sliding, talking to strangers--so she has helped Ben become more adventurous (he and Janae love to say "hi" to everyone they meet now), and Ben has helped Janae learn to love drinking from sippy cups, playing with cars/trucks/trains and reading books--and he's helped her learn to run to Mommy if she hears me start to count to three. Anita (who happens to be MY baby sister) was right when she told me that every mom should have at least two kids--because there really is nothing like seeing them together! We'll just need to keep an eye on that Janae :)
3 comments:
I absolutely LOVE tha pic of Ben and Janae. It is so funny how your girl is your mischievious one!! I love it.
I'm sure Ben has taught Janae some interesting things too! I like the picture you sent of Janae on her new bed, I can't believe she is old enough to sleep in a toddler bed!
My silly little girl!
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