February 27, 2013

Pick Up Sticks


When I learned that we were having a boy *the first time around... we still have a week before we find out about the new little one!*, I got warning after warning that I was in for a shock. They're wild, they hang off things and jump without checking for a place to land. They're full of crazy energy and it will be exhausting. Little Smith is not that boy. Yes, he loves balls and anything with wheels, he runs in circles begging to be chased and can throw further than I can... but he's meticulous, careful, cautious, and more sensitive to his environment than most of his playmates, girls included. 

This temperament comes with its own challenges; trying to pry him off me and get him to explore a new place on his own, calming crazy fits when his projects are interrupted or he can't have something 'just so'. There are also perks though, I don't know another two year old who (in the right mood!) can entertain himself as happily. He spends long stretches of time focused on a task or reading a stack of books to himself. If I set him up with a project, I can often count on an hour of quiet time, of course interrupted with various questions and announcements. There are rough weeks, when he wasn't feeling well for example, when this won't work at all. I'll think that maybe the stage has passed, but then he goes right back to his old habits. I'm curious to see if his focus lasts and how it will evolve as he grows older. He's a funny kid, so intense and he knows what he wants. It's definitely fun to watch!

*these pictures are all from last night. i was teaching and pop had the clever idea to occupy Little Smith with his pen collection. it's a hit... and this is exactly what he's been reenacting this morning as i write this post. silly monkey.

13 comments:

  1. this post made me smile. so sweet. love his sweet face, intent on his task. xo

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  2. That's incredible that he has such great focus. An entire hour?! Amazing. It's so crazy to me that at this age, and even much younger, their little personalities can be so defined.

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  3. Love what you did with the pics - very telling of how a child his age is! :-)

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  4. He sounds like a joy! And great pictures. I would say my boy is similar. Energetic, but not hanging from the chandeliers ;) My girl has given me the most run for my money, let me tell you!

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  5. It is so interesting how different all children are from one another, boys or girls. We were broken in with a very typical "boy" when I had Milo: full of seemingly endless energy, jumping off of anything and everything by the time he was 20 months old, daring, adventurous, and all that good boy stuff. But he can now also sit and read book after book after book, or build or play a pretend game for hours. Then we had Oliver and he was much more laid-back energy-wise. And Emil is more like Milo. They are all so different.

    I cannot wait to hear if you are having a boy or girl! You must by dying from the suspense! :)

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  6. Can't wait to hear what you're having!! How exciting.

    Awesome photos!

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  7. The pictures are great! He sounds very much like my son was at that age. He was never crazy active or messy and he could spend hours working on art. He is still very cautious. Video games have changed his focus, unfortunately. Well, not changed it exactly. He spends the hours focusing on them now. I have to pry him away.

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  8. Such cool photos! He sounds a lot like my Claudia. Very busy, but aware of surroundings. His independence will serve him (and you!) well when the baby comes. Can't wait to hear what you're having!

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  9. Oh really cute and super cool pics.... lovely and your blog is always just so lovely.

    www.mindfullygreen.com.au

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  10. My son followed two daughters. The moment I saw his hands, big and...well, masculine...I fell in love (again... there are so many moments to fall in love). I liked reading your musings about your little boy and both his "boyness", and his uniqueness, and I love your photos. Your blog is sweet and refreshing to me. I'm glad you're doing it. Thank you. Lynaea @ EverydayBloom.com

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  11. I always found my girls more demanding. They wanted full attention, they wanted praise or guidance-- they wanted front and center. My son was much happier off in his own imagination, playing knights, building castles...but then, with the girls there may be emotional trauma, but with my son, trauma meant a trip to the emergency room {he was endlessly finding things to jump off of...sigh}. I suppose its a trade off!

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  12. Wow the photos are really cool! Love the special moving effects.

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  13. An entire hour? Wow! That type of focus is amazing at such a young age. (Not gonna lie. I'm totally jealous.) As parents it seems like we are always trying to figure out how to find balance with our child's temperament (I think no matter how precocious or calm they may be). With adventurousness can come with a lack of caution or boisterous with a short attention span. They're all so different and hilarious, trying to teach us how to best teach them in their own unique little ways.
    I'm sure you're thrilled to find out the sex of your baby! What an exciting time!

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