Big Brother Ben (week 148)

It's tough to be two (almost three). Particularly, with a new baby in the house I find it even more difficult to find a moment of quiet to read the paper. You have to steal your opportunities to keep up with world news or find time for yourself.

Perhaps, the hallmark of this stage of life is the passion with which we engage every moment. And whether good or bad, we live with a sense of wonderment and frustration at a level never to be be repeated again. In fact, if our parents or our world leaders lived for one day as a two (almost three) year-old, we would probably solve every problem facing humanity just moments before destroying it all in a worldwide tantrum.

Christmas is clearly getting closer. Each night if I eat my dinner, the family makes popcorn and watches a Christmas movie on the couch. New controls have been put in place to ensure that I eat only at the table, and that I am no longer allowed cups of milk, or little treats like popcorn unless I have eaten some--if not all--my breakfast, lunch or dinner. This was all precipitated by a hunger strike last week, when I refused solid foods and would turned to a milk-only diet. Mama almost lost it and threatened to throw herself out a one-story window...which led to the new policies.

Project Little Brother (week 4). Christopher continues to grow into a fine baby: eating every (3) hours (not a good burper), propping himself up on his elbows, and smiling every time he fills his diaper. He only seems to cry during dinner time (from 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM), and is generally pretty amiable. So far, we call him the mellow one and he seems to be developing a love for ceiling fans that he shares with his brother. He still wants to be held most waking moments but he is progressing even more rapidly than I did.

Raising Your Parents: The new regime has been a little difficult to handle: milk only after solid food; no eating on the couch; automatic time-outs for spitting or hitting; but I can see the goals and accept that my parents are doing their best to provide structure. I test the boundaries daily, half-heartedly jumping on the couch or asking for milk with a smile, but each day gets a little easier and I even ate two chicken drumsticks the other night. I am holding out this weekend for a haircut, bowling and maybe a picture with Santa.

Words of the Week
Dash Away!: the go signal from my favorite Christmas special "Disney's Prep & Landing". It is best to say the lines along with the movie; full of adrenaline and suspense. Highly recommended.

Commercial!: the worst part of Christmas specials that always come at the most exciting parts. Thank goodness for DVR and the ability to fastforward; no one knows how my parents made it through the holidays when they were kids.