Tender Two
There is no doubt about it. Caleb is going through the "tender twos." He smiles and coos when you call his name. He laughs with a belly laugh when he finds something funny. He lets you lavish him with hugs and kisses. No "terrible twos" with him, and I suspect there won't be "terrible threes" either.
Daniel, on the other hand, went through the terrible twos, terrible threes, terrible fours, terrible fives and is currently going through the terrible sixes.
Daniel is defiant. He pushes limits and talks back ("blah, blah, blah"). We agree on reading only one chapter at bedtime, and he kicks and screams for more completely ignoring our pact. You tell him to be quieter, he gets louder. Homework, bath, and bedtime are always a struggle. He will make sure he gets even if you accidentally hurt him. That is Daniel at his worst. Kissing and holding are out of the question.
It would be unfair to stop the picture of my older son at that. It would be like painting a landscape, and all of a sudden the canvas goes blank. The tempestuous Daniel is also a stream of smooth pebbles and soothing sounds-- gentle and sweet. I can hear him as he flows through his day and touches our lives like the stream touches the ground. "Mom, you should be a singer," he tells me as I sing to him at bedtime. He is my number one fan. "Caleb, your name means 'brave,' and that is a good name for you because you are a brave baby." He works with his dad in the back yard making plans to fix and beautify our house. He will grow up to be like him -- a handyman, generous, and helpful. Daniel makes Caleb laugh and finds me a special rock to take to work. I will hold it in my hand and think of him. He helps Paul make pancakes and smiles mischievously as he reveals to me he and dad shared a can of pop. Daniel is thoughtful and kind.
Tonight he chose to sleep in his room (he usually sleeps in mine) to be with his brother. "I will tell Caleb a bedtime story before we go to sleep." As I turned off the light and walked away, I heard the beginning of a tale about a duck called Bufflehead.
Both my boys are tender. One can't help but be; the other has a choice. Caleb often takes center stage in my writing and reflections, but the truth is that Daniel is at the center of my heart just as much.
I am so lucky to have my "tender two."
Daniel, on the other hand, went through the terrible twos, terrible threes, terrible fours, terrible fives and is currently going through the terrible sixes.
Daniel is defiant. He pushes limits and talks back ("blah, blah, blah"). We agree on reading only one chapter at bedtime, and he kicks and screams for more completely ignoring our pact. You tell him to be quieter, he gets louder. Homework, bath, and bedtime are always a struggle. He will make sure he gets even if you accidentally hurt him. That is Daniel at his worst. Kissing and holding are out of the question.
It would be unfair to stop the picture of my older son at that. It would be like painting a landscape, and all of a sudden the canvas goes blank. The tempestuous Daniel is also a stream of smooth pebbles and soothing sounds-- gentle and sweet. I can hear him as he flows through his day and touches our lives like the stream touches the ground. "Mom, you should be a singer," he tells me as I sing to him at bedtime. He is my number one fan. "Caleb, your name means 'brave,' and that is a good name for you because you are a brave baby." He works with his dad in the back yard making plans to fix and beautify our house. He will grow up to be like him -- a handyman, generous, and helpful. Daniel makes Caleb laugh and finds me a special rock to take to work. I will hold it in my hand and think of him. He helps Paul make pancakes and smiles mischievously as he reveals to me he and dad shared a can of pop. Daniel is thoughtful and kind.
Tonight he chose to sleep in his room (he usually sleeps in mine) to be with his brother. "I will tell Caleb a bedtime story before we go to sleep." As I turned off the light and walked away, I heard the beginning of a tale about a duck called Bufflehead.
Both my boys are tender. One can't help but be; the other has a choice. Caleb often takes center stage in my writing and reflections, but the truth is that Daniel is at the center of my heart just as much.
I am so lucky to have my "tender two."
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