What Sprout Likes to Do

This post might alternately be called is "Things I Don't Enjoy". Zeke is now 8 months old....sigh. And he already likes to exercise his independence, make his voice heard and maintain his dignity. Everyday, I have to take a deep, calming, cleansing breath to get through some of the most mundane everyday tasks. Here's what Zeke likes to do:

1. Pull away and scream when having his face cleaned/nose wiped.
2. Squirm away during diaper changes.
3. Fuss when getting dressed.
4. Protest and twist when getting into the infant carseat.
5. Pull my earrings out.
6. Yank the hair above my neck when I am carrying him in my arms.
7. Try to get the dog to lick his hands when he is eating.
8. Pull my glasses off and get them into his mouth.

Good thing he isn't crawling or walking or I would probably get to experience him walking away from me! But, I am heartened to know that it is just part of his development to want to exercise greater control over what is happening to him. On the upside, it is also teaching me knew skills. I did not know, for example, that sometimes the easiest way to change a baby is with one hand when the baby is standing. I think Maggie really gets the short end of the stick: Zeke keeps trying to get her to lick his hand, and, as Maggie is better trained than my progeny, I just keep telling her "Maggie, leave it. Leave it." How tempting, how confusing!

Also, Zeke's actions are not limited to me and Sprout Daddy...he shares these skills with others.


Zeke spent most of his visit with the Santa today trying to pull his beautiful beard. Zeke, there are just some things you shouldn't do! Look how Santa has to recoil!