Leo and Harris today

[dreamshark]

Most of the time Leo is consumed with the need to muscle in on whatever Harris is doing, steal his pacifier, or block him from Mommy's attention. But occasionally he decides to be helpful. 


Leo wearing toy glasses (having broken Mommy's sunglasses yesterday trying to put them on),



Leo has suddenly transitioned from treating books as toys to be manhandled to actually trying to "read" them.

Comments

[minnehaha]

The bossy one and the other one. That dynamic is so hard to undo once it is firmly established.

K.

[dreamshark]

I don't think there was ever any other option for these two - their basic temperaments are just too different. Leo is happy-go-lucky, impetuous, outgoing, joyfully physical and very noisy. Harris is quiet, cautious, deliberate, persistent, self-directed. All these characteristics were clearly identifiable last time I saw them, when they were 4 months old and not paying much conscious attention to each other.

It seems to be working out for them. Harris is learning how to stand up for himself when Leo tries to take things away from him and Leo is clearly developing empathy. When Harris cries (whether it is Leo's fault or not) Leo not only looks concerned, he runs over and strokes his hair in an attempt to comfort him. It's very sweet. Leo also seems to be further along in the whole process of developing a baby conscience - admonishing himself not to do things like rush through an open baby gate. I think he has a warm and generous spirit, which is just what you want to see in a child with a boisterous streak.