**Most of this was actually written on Monday...but do to the craziness of the week I'm JUST now getting to finishing and posting it!**
As I watched our son lick our cement driveway yesterday, I was again affirmed of the difference between our two children.
One girl. One boy.
Complete opposites from even the beginning!
I can even go as far back as to their actual pregnancies!
But, I won't go that far.
Mal was an easy baby--slept well (was on a schedule even!), nursed well, didn't cry much, and really didn't even move much. Her flat head proved that:o)
Clay was different. He never really got on a schedule to nap, he refused to nurse, cried and sounded uncomfortable all the time, and MOVED all the time. His enormous ROUND head proved that as well!
After discovering Clayton's acid reflux, his disposition did change. He was a MUCH happier baby but continued to puke (I use puke because to me the amount of it was like puke) and naps were few and far between.
Mal listened, followed directions, sat quietly.
Clayton listened in his own way, constantly jabbered, and moved everywhere all the time.
(A true BOY, I guess you could say).
Fast forward to today, and they are still complete opposites.
Mallory is shy. Keeps to herself. But will order her meal at a restaurant or answer a question someone asks (for the most part). She is definitely opening up more due to preschool. But she is still reserved most of the time.
Clayton is very outgoing for an almost 2 year old. He will hug anyone who stands next to him (two different incidents last week of this) and loves to smile at anyone and everywhere. He LOVES to stand out--and in my opinion, even tries:o)
Mal LOVES nature. Bugs, animals, dirt, mud. She is not afraid to get her hands dirty or go after a worm she finds in the ground.
Clayton loves nature but is more of a stay in the grass kind-of-guy. He is afraid of any bug and refuses to touch anything that moves. He LOVES to watch and that's it. Getting his hands dirty is NOT fun for him. However, he seems to enjoy eating dirt and licking rocks:o)
Clayton RUNS everywhere. And MOVES everywhere. He never stops. Ever.
Mallory runs, but not all the time. She enjoys walking around, observing things, pretending.
The older they get, the more differences they have from each other.
But I feel like these differences make a great combination together.
Mal finds and handles the worms while Clay watches on.
Clayton runs and gets what Mallory needs to capture a bug.
Mallory creates a magical scene in her head while Clayton acts it out.
Clayton breaks the ice in uncomfortable social situations for Mallory.
I love watching the bond between them. The relationship building. How they rely on each other. How well they get along (at least most of the time). Don't get me wrong, they have their moments. But I can't imagine them not having one another.
And I'm glad they have each other to keep them company, to play with, to entertain, to pretend, to help, to enjoy, and to love.
Top 10 for the Week:
10. Rainy Days. Lots of rainy days this past week. Luckily, I had a few good ideas on how to occupy our lovely children. TWO massive forts and a NEW bean/rice table--where a HUGE hit. I mean HUGE. They are loving the bean and rice table--and it's big ($40 with of beans/rice big). The best $40 I've spent in a LONG time. Love it!!
9. T-Ball Practice. Mal had her first Tball practice. It was adorable. She was hanging in there:o) Shy but open to following the rules. I'm excited to witness their first game!!
8. WORMS. On our way out to get the mail, Clayton noticed a worm. And then another. And then another. It was crazy! I couldn't believe how many there were around us in the grass. BOTH of them loved it. However, Mal was the only one that would actually touch them. Must have been the perfect weather.
7. Morning Alone. One day this past week, Jay had to be at a meeting fairly early in the morning. Which meant I had to get the kids up, ready to go, and out the door to Mal's Preschool. I would like to report that we handled ourselves well. Thanks to Mal's stomach there were little tears! I've started this little "game" with her. I pretend to have a conversation with her stomach. Silly. Yes. But it works. In fact, upon breakdown that morning, I pulled the stomach convo and we were smooth sailing! Seriously. Try it.
6. Recipes. Not much too new. Just made my own white cake from scratch. I tried a bite (due to it NOT being GF) but the hubster loved it. And so did the birthday girl--my SIL:o) Jay even got in on the baking--and made from scratch strawberry frosting.
5. Accomplishment. TWO days this week I felt like we accomplished a lot of spring cleaning. I know, I'm obsessed lately. During a rainy day, I started cleaning, rearranging, and gutting our basement. We finished it on Sunday--along with the garage and a few outdoor things. Always makes me feel good to get some of those "to-do" things off my list.
4. Clayisms. Hello TWO!! He's definitely two early. Well, and I guess the fact that he's finally getting his last two teeth in, doesn't help. After talking to him several times about his behavior, I found it rather comical (and even laughed after feeling frustrated) and even ironic that my son was pretending to take my blood pressure. Seriously. I can't make that up. And even when he was acting crazy, my Miss Mallory was a gem. Looking forward to celebrating his birth next week:o)
3. Malloryisms. The more she talks, the more she sounds like me:o) It's scary. We had a lot of up and down days. Seems it was the trend of the week. While making a fort for the kids, Mal commented on how little brothers aren't suppose to have big blankets. It was cute--and meaning that SHE should have the big blanket instead. Of course, right? She also had a make-up ballet class which her teacher turned into a princess party. It was too cute and so much fun for the gals. I'm getting excited to see her on stage--but also nervous for HER! New word this week: Available.
2. Baby Shower FUN. I helped host a baby shower for a dear friend of mine this weekend. It was a huge success! Lots of fun, laughter, and excitement. Looking forward to holding a new baby REAL soon.
1. The Good. The Bad. The Ugly. It is amazing to me how completely different each day can be. This is very similar to teaching. So I guess the correlation there is the kids? OR is it ME?:o) Anyways, let's first talk about the good: playing in sand table very therapeutic, Mal calling one day the "best day ever," watching the kids play in the sand table on our back deck out the kitchen window while I cook dinner, playing (dolls, kitties, doctor, dancing, and everything else!). The bad: having a wine glass fall and shatter into tiny pieces all over the kitchen, bickering kids, rainy weather, bickering kids. Overall, I still feel pretty good about last week. And when I really think, write, and reflect back on last week--I have a lot to be thankful for in my life.
That's it folks!
I know that in JUST a few days...I'll be posting again.
Because I'm LATE this week.
But better late, than never!
Hope you are all having a great week!!
And I'll see you in a few days!:o)
Until next week,
Mrs. Newell
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