Sometimes I slack because I'm sleepy and have heartburn

I know I've been slacking. Sleepiness has been taking it's toll lately. Usually I can shake it, but it's been sticking to me like mud to a hog lately. I really just wanted to say "mud to a hog". Thought that one up myself.

Will's been teething something awful. He slept seven hours during the day yesterday, he was so spent. It's just after 7 pm and all my boys (Rick included) are out for the count. I've never heard of any kid having it as rough as Will. Most kids his age have most all their teeth and he's just breaking through his first two sets of molars. It looks like someone cheese-grated his gums and some bits of teeth are showing through. For some odd reason, he had some worm/vein thing coming out of his gum a couple days ago. I didn't check it out to much, and no, I did not pull on the thing. I'm too busy and exhausted to even worry about a weird worm/vein in my child's mouth. Luckily, I didn't fret, because it appears to have crawled back into the hole it came from.

I'm a bit worried Will's going to turn out with the same temper I've suffered from, particularly in childhood. He's such a loving, good natured guy until something doesn't go his way, or most often, when someone does him wrong. When he's decided someone's out to get him, he reacts with a gusto that would make Ali proud. He's a full-force attacker and he's a natural when it comes to hitting. He's a coordinated little bugger and he can pack power with his punches, one and a half or not. Will doesn't limit himself to flailing fists, he's got enough stout to bowl his opponent over, as well. Typically, Nate's the recipient of Will's outbursts, and honestly, Nate deserves 99% of them.

Nate can be downright cruel to Will. I can't yet tell if he's intending to hurt Will or make his life difficult, or if it's just curiosity that brings out the mean big brother behavior Nate's displaying. Nate usually laughs while he's standing on Will and bouncing on him (something that happened tonight) or throwing sand in Will's face and piling it in his hair, etc. I don't think Nate's that evil. I hope. I think he's just seeing what reaction he'll get. His finding-his-limits-work-ethic is enviable.

We're working on listening with Nate. Actually, it's more like he's working on not listening with us. It's been grating a bit on Ricks' and my nerves. I know he's not the only 2 year old out there practicing his not listening skills, but it gets a bit tiring, none-the-less. Rick tried the "Volcan Grip" which was grabbing Nate's shoulders hard while looking him in the eye to make sure he understood "do not open the door when we ask you not to" (and the first time and not the 5th would be a bonus). Didn't really work, but kudos to Rick for trying a new grip.

The boys are not only becoming worst enemies, they're also becoming best friends. This is the part that really warms me and gives me hope for the future. They love to chase each other around and get such a kick out of themselves, I can't imagine what they would do without each other. As Nate said to Will in the car this afternoon, "I love you, Silly Goose!". Just repeating the words in my head brings a smile to my face. Nate sat pondering in his car seat for a while, then asked "where are all my friends?". He had forgotten his best friend was sitting right next to him. That's what helps me survive the tough moments of having a one and two year old. I know that no matter what happens to me and Rick, they'll always have each other. aahhh I must be sleepy because that sounds pretty sappy!