gw.

cw was such an easy baby. i could take him anywhere, anytime, any weather. gw is much the same. in these aspects. but the similarities end there. i could leave cw downstairs, with candles burning, water boiling, and the front door wide open and he would sit quietly and watch sesame street. i never got to "three" with cw. the threat of bodily harm (at my hands or by accident) was enough to keep him from many unsavory endeavors. but gw? i cannot leave gw unchaperoned for more than thirty seconds. i can, if i want to find him standing on the counter shoving marshmallows, from the top shelf, into his mouth. or standing on the stove reaching for the kitchen scissors in the cabinet above the microwave. or swinging from the light hanging over the dining room table. or climbing in the dryer. or jumping on aw's bed. i have found him doing these things. on numerous occasions. he also likes to eat toothpaste, whilst hiding in the shower with the doors closed. and he likes to stir whatever is in the toilet. he likes to play in the flour. pull the sheets off his bed. he has quite a knack for rearranging the ornaments on the tree. and chewing the edges off fat candles. he loves to sit on the counter while i bake. sometimes he takes off down the sidewalk when we walk out to the car. when i jog, he leans to one side in the jogger the ENTIRE time. he throws his socks at me while i drive. he yells for a bob every morning around 5:30 and then goes back to sleep. he loves to empty packages of paper on the floor and then walk on them, all the while saying "whoa! whoa!" he bites his brothers on the back when they give him piggy back rides. he drew blood last week. when he is hurt, any kisses will do. he's not particular. he loves blankets, and cars, and trucks, and fresh fruit. he pounds on the table or the chair or the wall when he wants my attention. he downloaded three apps on my phone and a few on mw's. we just learned that we have been paying $35 a month for those apps. since may. he never comes when i call him. he runs faster when i start counting. he uses the garden tub in my bathroom as his personal urinal. he yells "no!" no matter the question. he kicks bw when he climbs over him to get to his booster. he calls all drinks "water." every morning he picks up mw's glasses and twists the ear thingys like a tootsie roll. he thinks the house rules don't apply to him. that he is above spanks and swats. he wails and moans like his life is coming to a violent end when i smack his hand or put him in a corner. he is full of life, and laughs, and hugs, and smooches, and smells like i imagine a grove of lilac bushes smells. in heaven. in short, he is a paradox. at once, all things rotten and annoying. and equally delightful and delicious.