Power Struggles

Somehow Ben has decided to grow up and get a personality.  And not just any personality, a stubborn, dramatic and even a hint of naughtiness personality.  Let me give you a few examples.

First off, Ben steals food from Josh.  This drives Josh crazy as he can't grasp the idea that he should put his cup or snack dish on a surface that Ben can't reach.  Ben is usually clever enough to wait until Josh has left something laying around and then he goes for it.  Josh then sees Ben's thievery and comes screaming back into the room to rip it out of Ben's hands.  In these moments Ben never fusses, even when he gets knocked down in the process.  He just bides his time until he can sneak food again.

Perhaps Ben will be a great actor someday.  He has a flair for the dramatic that I never saw with Josh.  Even as a baby he would throw his forearm up over his eyes and let out a soft wail we would call his "alas and alack" pose.  Now, when he's upset Ben will throw himself onto the floor, kick his feet and then get up and lay back down on the floor.  He'll also, if he has been upset while sitting, simply tilt his head forward until it's resting on the floor and let out a soft cry.

He's a very determined boy with a good memory.  The child is obsessed with our TV remotes.  He searches everywhere for them.  If I'm sitting on the couch with him, I'll tuck the remotes under the cushion and he will wriggle himself into whatever contortionist position to try and wrench them free.  And if I set him on the other edge of the couch, even with another toy, he'll be right back to try and get his sought-after prize.

This boy already gets into cupboards and hides in pantries.  He climbs into his brother's bed and bounces on it.  If you give him something that he doesn't want he throws it aside.  I think this one is going to be my little fiery pistol child.