Master P: Full Throttle

Preston is 15 months old today! I am blown away by the fact that at the very beginning of last year, Asher was technically 1, and Preston was just a glob of cells. Even though time is moving fast, I have quickly forgotten the implications of having a mobile child who wants to experiment and discover, but doesn't understand English. This is a post from when Asher was Preston's age. And while Asher had just turned 2 when this doosie happened, Master P has already created a similar scene.

Preston's little personality seems to be blossoming at high speed all of a sudden...and by personality, I really mean attitude. This boy has always been the sweet, easy type of baby who only cries when he's tired, hungry, or cutting a tooth. Once highly agreeable, his own little will seems much more defined lately. He gives off the air of an early colonist who wants to declare independence, but stays his hand for fear the motherland will put a trade embargo on goldfish. He needs us for now.

Our number two has a problem with talent for biting and hitting, which are excellent skills for settling the savage-filled new world......oh wait, Asher is the only person he sees. Poor, peace-loving big brother is often the object of Preston's non-malicious, albeit aggressive exploration. It can be painful.

The silver lining for Asher comes from watching me scold someone who, miraculously....isn't him. The following scene unfolds on a regular basis: I hear an incensed shriek from the play area, and drop what I'm doing to find Asher with a wet, indented ring on his arm. As I approach, Preston looks up with eyes full of exhilarated delight at the taste of human flesh, and continues the assault by repeatedly smacking his brother.  He is full of joy throughout the attack. I storm over and reprimand a most innocent-looking guilty party, and catch sight of a suppressed smile playing at the lips of the victim. Finally: Asher has a companion with whom to split my wrath. There's a new bottom in the time out chair.

"I'm not in trouble! HE is!"

Here are some images from Preston's birthday celebration with my family - three months and four teeth ago.

We'll have to learn how to navigate this independent streak and love of playful violence.

And this face will continue to ensure we fail at being too stern.