Just when I sort of kind of knew what I was doing, I had Drew. Maybe it's because he was my second child. Or maybe it's because he was my second child.
I guess I'll never really know.
I've never brushed it off as being his gender, his birth order, or the fact that I drank a few cups of coffee and a vodka tonic when I was pregnant with him.
It was just like meeting someone new - you're taught how to say hello, shake hands, and offer them a tasty beverage, but what do you do when they speak Portuguese, perfer to slap you on the back side of the head, and drink with the cup completely upside down so everything ends up on your carpet?
It doesn't make for very smooth introductions.
I'm learning how to parent Drew just like I learned how to parent Quinlan. It's trial and error, celebrations and failures. It's opening a new book that you've never read or watching a new movie that you've never seen, and no matter how hard you try to get your friend to tell you what the hell happens, they can't.
Because they've never read or seen this one before.
I often get frustrated. It's hard not speaking the language sometimes. It's difficult to find a happy medium between head whacking and hand shaking.
We try to meet him somewhere in the middle. Most of the time, it's closer to my end of things, but I've discovered it's not so bad hopping over to his side of the fence every now and then.
He's making us read his book. And he's forcing us to watch the entire movie, even the uncomfortable parts, with the sound completely on. No heads buried under pillows.
Happy 2nd Birthday, Drew. You've certainly redefined the word "tantrum," taught me the difference between an excavator and a front loader, and offered us a new appreciation for toilet locks.
And for this I am thankful.
Here's to another year of new adventures.
I'm running a fun little contest in honor of Drew's big #2. Humor me and come play along.
Boys are just plain wired differently. Period.
Happy Birthday, Drew!
Posted by: Manic Mommy | January 26, 2009 at 03:23 PM
I'm on #4 (actually, he's 13), and they are completely different. No one child can prepare you for another. And each kid has an evil twin lurking beneath the surface that pops out to test your parenting skills at the worst possible moment.Sometimes, he even takes over completely. Good luck.
Posted by: The Mother | January 25, 2009 at 04:51 PM
happy birthday!
Posted by: becky | January 23, 2009 at 07:41 AM
TOO FREAKY!!! I totally related to a recent post you had about Drew & the parenting challenges he affords you! I to have a son just like that, Amos... Some days I just don't even know where to start with him! And now, I find that they share the same birthday!! Oh God, does this have something to do with January 19th? Is there some study we could do? A support group? Mothers of 1-19...
Posted by: Lindsey | January 22, 2009 at 11:30 PM
Oh, but it's so fast.
Posted by: amanda | January 22, 2009 at 05:57 PM
Maybe there *IS* something to the second child thing. Cuz my darling 2nd boy (who will be two next month) sounds like he's cut from the same cloth!
Posted by: Colleen - Mommy Always Wins | January 21, 2009 at 01:12 PM
Happy Birthday Drew.
I can tell you that my second is of the same ilk. Half of my time is spent head cocked to one side, wondering, what the H%*# she is thinking. It has gotten a little easier as she had gotten a little older (but not much).
Posted by: Shawn S. | January 20, 2009 at 11:17 PM
Happy Bday Drew!
Posted by: Asianmommy | January 20, 2009 at 04:35 PM
The happy medium between head whacking and hand shaking? A high five:)
~Crystal
Posted by: Crystal | January 20, 2009 at 02:29 AM
Boys are so different...so very different..
Posted by: Jerri Ann | January 19, 2009 at 10:35 PM
Happy Birthday Drew! I had no idea our second borns were so close in age. My Baby D turns two on Thursday. Now I see why they are so alike, they are hitting the same stages at around the same time. No wonder I relate so closely with your Drew stories.
Posted by: Jilse | January 19, 2009 at 10:09 PM
Happy birthday, Big Man.
Posted by: marty | January 19, 2009 at 04:46 PM
Happy Birthday Drew! As a mom of a crazy boy who's about to turn 4 - it's getting easier :)
Posted by: Lori | January 19, 2009 at 04:29 PM
Happy 2nd Birthday, Drew!
Posted by: The Other Sister-in-Law | January 19, 2009 at 04:28 PM
Happy Birthday Drew!
Posted by: Heather | January 19, 2009 at 03:01 PM
Happy birthday, Drew! Has it really been that long since we were both nursing babies in slings in Chicago?
Second kids are there to make sure we never feel like we know what we're doing.
Posted by: Christina | January 19, 2009 at 02:47 PM
Oh, it's boys alright. I learned that the hard way.
Happy Birthday, Drew.
Posted by: FishyGirl | January 19, 2009 at 01:37 PM
Happy Birthday, little guy!!!
Posted by: Multi-Tasking Mommy | January 19, 2009 at 01:36 PM
Happy Birthday to Drew!
You described parenting my boys. I always figured feeling the need to bash my head (or sometimes theirs) was just that- they're boys.
Posted by: Amanda | January 19, 2009 at 12:57 PM
Happy Birthday, Drew! From what you've described I anticipate I'll have the same kind of challenges. My second is so much more challenging than my first one was. Dare I say, he's even a jerk sometimes. But what did I expect? Baby clones? That's what keeps life interesting right. Even if it doesn't keep my kitchen floor clean. Ever. Mashed bananas anyone?
Posted by: Jill | January 19, 2009 at 11:56 AM
Happy 2nd birthday to Drew.
Um toilet locks? I need to look into this.
Posted by: Issa | January 19, 2009 at 11:52 AM
Awww! How sweet! Happy Birthday Drew!
Posted by: Erin | January 19, 2009 at 11:45 AM
awww happy birthday, it is my birthday too
Posted by: ebell | January 19, 2009 at 10:52 AM
Aw, happy birthday big guy!
Posted by: MommyNamedApril | January 19, 2009 at 10:29 AM
Happy Birthday to Drew! What a lovely sentiment. Its helped rethink the story I tell about my oldest (He's 11) - who has also redefined tantrum ;)
Posted by: Heather | January 19, 2009 at 10:28 AM
Auguri Drew (Happy Birthday) !
Each kid is different and I love how we learn little useful tricks with each child (bathroom locks he he he)
Posted by: Anita Ovolina | January 19, 2009 at 10:25 AM
Happy Birthday, Drew!
He's the baby I held at BlogHer before going home and getting pregnant with Buster - a good luck baby!
Posted by: Lady M | January 19, 2009 at 10:18 AM
My 18mo. old son Sam is exactly like Drew. My mother in law has actually commented maybe something is "wrong". The doctor just laughs and says each one is different. My 5 yr. old daughter was an angel and no book could have prepared me for the tsunami that is my son. It's nice to know that I'm not alone. Thanks for this post.
Posted by: Stephanie | January 19, 2009 at 10:02 AM
I can't believe it has been 2 years already. It just seems like I read your "Just Drew" post yesterday. Lovely post that is so appropriate to your relationship with him.
happy birthday to Drew!
Posted by: Amy H | January 19, 2009 at 08:20 AM
Happy Birthday Drew! Great post.
Posted by: Kristen | January 19, 2009 at 08:11 AM
Happy birthday Drew! Beautiful entry, spoke directly to my heart.
Posted by: Badger | January 19, 2009 at 07:48 AM
Happy 2nd Birthday, Drew!
I think you've nailed the key that actually makes this parenting thing a little easier. Realizing that you're going to have to relearn everything for each new child is half the battle.
Posted by: Angela | January 19, 2009 at 07:33 AM