Civilizing Ben

Is this what it's like, rearing boys?

Ben is so funny! And totally, totally uncivilized. For example, in the winter after baths I give baby massages when the kids get out of the bathtub. I put lotion on them and rub their little feet and sing to them...some silly thing I read about when Kaela was little about how babies develop better when you touch them. Kaela has always loved baby massage. But the other night, I was about to put lotion on Ben,and he goes, "I not want lotion. I just want to pee on the floor. Please can I? No more diapers?"

Yuck! Why would he even ask that?!

Then there's his favorite game: chasing the older girls with sticks. This afternoon, we were playing outside and he's laughing maniacally with this huge stick...I know that laugh, so I told him to put the stick down right now. He cried for a minute, then resumed play--this time, chasing the girls with his mouth open, as if to bite.

He told Kaela in the car this morning that he would have to bite her if she didn't stop singing. (He's not a biter. A stinker, definitely, but has never been a biter. Thank God!) He is learning to hit the ground and trees only, not passers-by. And we won't even talk about the learning curve we're both facing when it comes to potty-training. Eric says it's all in the aim. Well, let me tell you, it's not as easy as he makes it sound!

Our son is a total savage. A sweet, good-natured, loyal thing--but a savage, nonetheless. I pretty much teach only boys. I grew up with only brothers. But I don't remember them at this stage--all rough edges and ready to knock anything that moves. I know he's wired differently than Kaela is--it's evident from birth. But we need to read a book or something. Because right now he reminds us of Tarzan. And that little ape-guy just gave me about 20 goodnight kisses on my leg and told me he "love you so much, Mommy." I wish we could keep him this funny age forever!