Men are from Mars, where I'm certain they battle it out!

Although I haven’t read the book, Men are from Mars, Women from Venus, I feel well versed in the idea from a variety of snipets addressed throughout my communications degree. And with marriage, the concept of gender difference couldn’t ring clearer!

When we had little 4 month old Play mate, Naomi, over yesterday, I was amused at the differences between them, so obviously notable at a young age. You see, Jesse and Naomi have a special little relationship. Whenever Jesse and Naomi get together Jesse reaches out and holds her hand. Naomi acts totally uninterested, and eventually pulls away. She’s a girl. Playing hard to get already. Jesse, in return, pulls the “I like you so I’ll be mean to you” drill that many little boys do oh so well. He was a bit of a baby jerk yesterday and kept taking Naomi’s doll, shaking it to death, then stealing her block, throwing it over his shoulder, then reaching over and pulling her tiny little ears. Sweet little Naomi just ignored him as best she could and continued sweetly, calmly and quietly playing on the floor, beside Jesse who was rolling, grunting, yelling and being a hyper little boy.

J

Jesse’s other good buddy, Ewan.. ..you see they play like “dudes”.... They acknowledge the other one is there... and then kind of do their own thing beside each other together. NO hand holding, so teasing. Just straight up play! I’m sure they’ll video game together in the future.

I’ve been quite floored this week, by how much of a little boy Jesse is turning out to be. His busy (yet loveable) behaviour seems to have uped a notch this week, and life all of a sudden feels much busier. I used to tote Jesse around on my hip for a good part of the day while I cleaned or cooked, or talked on the phone, or sent emails. He was happy being with mama, and seeing new things going on. This is rather impossible these days, as he tried to climb onto my shoulder, flip upside down, jump up and down, and grabs EVERYTHING! He’s also discovered grunting, which Dave is quite proud of. It’s funny how dad’s are. As Jesse pounds on things, Dave is like “thata boy..work on that arm strength” Where I will say “gentle” and try and lessen the intensity of his blows.

The boys in the house have been battling it out all week, and I’m not sure who is winning to be honest. Cooper and Jesse have their daily battle ritual. You see, Cooper likes to lick Jesse’s toes... Jesse doesn’t like that so much, but puts up with it cause the dog will get close enough for Jesse to pull on his ears. Cooper doesn’t like his ears being pulled... but will deal with it so he can lick those delicious toes. Eventually one of them backs away from discomfort... usually the dog. Jesse one. Cooper zero.

Jesse is also quite the warrior when it comes to showing his toys who is boss. He has the cutest little work shop set that lights up and makes sounds, and Jesse has progressed from wanting to suck on it, to bashing the crap out of it with his hammer while he chews on the screwdriver. He also has this cute little singing old macdonald farm toy that we put in his booster tray after he eats, or while we get his food ready. He used to play with the buttons and animals for a good 15 minutes. However, he discovered how to flip the toy over a few days ago, then push it off his tray onto the floor. And that is NOW his favourite use with it. Jesse 2.... The rest of house, zero.

Then, there is the nightly battle between Dave and Jesse during his supper feeding. I tend to take my time with Jesse when he eats.. if he grabs the spoon, I let him take it and chomp on it until he lets go, or gets fussy for more food. Dave and Jesse both fight for control of the spoon, and while Dave usually wins, Jesse retaliates by turning his face at the last moment, and having carroty beef with a touch of pear smeared across his face, or up his nose. Jesse doesn’t care how much food is caked onto his face, but Dave and Jesse both mind when it’s time to wash it off! Tie on that one.
I try to stay out of all the power grabs. The major battle I fought this week was with yoghurt tubes. I try not to buy the sugary milky stuff...but they had raspberry and grape yop tubes on sale, and I just couldn’t resist! Yogurt 1. Chrissy Zero. Then to add insult to injury, when I cracked one open at homw the stuff wouldn’t come out. So, You know the way you squeeze a toothpaste from the bottom up when it gets really low? Well... I went to do just that, and all of a sudden the whole tube exploded, and I felt icky sticky yogurt plastered all over my face. I went to the mirror to take a look, and burst into laughter, as I had a perfectly shaped thick goatee of pink yogurt on my chin, with a bit of a chin strap too! Yoghurt 2. Chrissy zero.
Now, I do realize that I’m going to have to enter the battling arena with my dear little Jesse very soon. Jesse is becoming aware of his actions a little, and I’ve started very sternly and sharply telling him NO, when he throws a screaming fit. And it works! He looks up at me like... what?! Where is my sweet, smiley mama? But I think it’s just a distraction more than a discipline technique at this point. I feel like his wee baby days of sleeping, pooping and crying are over, and I don’t feel like I’m just an overtired, baby changing, dairy queen anymore, I’m a PARENT! Whoa. God be with me as I train up this darling little guy. Thanks for reading, I’m off!