Boys

As I sit back and watch my two boys I can see some noticeable similarities, but majority of their behaviours are vastly different. I am amazed by the fact that even in appearance, the boys are strikingly different yet I gave birth to both.

Carter, I am finding, is far more high strung, dramatic, and very sensitive to change. He’s active, curious, and loving. Even since he was very young, he’s been a challenge trying to get him to stay in one place. He’s the kid that once perched himself atop the glass coffee table, yelling at the top of his lungs (only happened once then the table was removed from the living room). He’s the kid who just wants to be a little older, a little stronger and a lot more independent. Surprisingly though, he’s quite shy and not all that outgoing until he’s familiar with his surroundings.

Hudson is far more laid back and more apt to watch the show than participate in it. He’s very mellow, relaxed and comfortable with his surroundings. His transition to daycare has been far more simple than Carter’s ever was. (Even Carter’s transitions from room to room have been quite trying. )

Hudson has been increasingly more cautious while he learns to maneuver stairs, chairs and toys. He approaches the the edge cautiously and with much more preparedness than I’ve seen in a small child before. Almost like he’s been here before. Very much like an old soul: which is funny because we were very sure that Carter had the characteristics of an old soul but they have vanished almost completely.

The way they interact with each other, it’s very evident that they have a strong bond already. The way Hudson lights up when he sees Carter. The kisses Carter showers on his brother. They are going to be a couple of trouble makers, I can see it already.

This weekend we attended a family reunion: the first for us. It was really nice getting to meet my dad’s cousins and see my great aunt again. As I watched my kids interact with others, their differences were much more apparent.

Hudson was quite and laid back the entire time allowing just about everyone to hold him at some point or another. He cooed and smiled at all the kids playing while he sat comfortable perched on someones lap.

Carter was constantly trying to stay caught up to the older children. He was loud and boistrious; a true boy. Jumping carelessly from the top of the jungle gym while we had turned our backs for a moment – he’s definitely the one we have to watch out for. With each tumble there would be a dramatic outcry as he claimed to have hurt something. But with one little peck on his knee/ toe / elbow he’d be right back at it in a flash as though nothing even happened.

Much of Sunday Carter spent limping from an ache in his foot which he acquired somewhere along the line of numerous jumps, leaps and bounds of Saturday’s play. He was moody and tired, while he begged to be carried because of his foot (which we’ve inspected a few times for any swelling or bruising). He was so tired, yet refused sleep until he completely crashed after lunch time and then again a few short hours later for the night.

Hudson chilled out in the grocery cart then passed out peacefully in his car seat on the way home. He slept in his crib for a few hours before he was up again to play.

My boys.

So different. So amazingly different.

And all mine.