Different

It is so cliche, but Max and Alex are different as night and day. Max has been serious from day 1. I remember taking him to his first pediatrician's appointment and listening to her exclaim "wow, he really has strong opinions." As an infant, he used to hold his breath when he got angry (and almost passed out a time or two). Then, he progressed to vomiting on demand whenever he was really unhappy with his situation. Regardless of his specific tactic, he seemed born able to get his way and willing to do what it takes to do so. In fact, even today, while his reasoning has progressed, he is still determined to get his way. He loves rules. Especially ones he makes up. In fact, maybe those are the only rules he likes. He has taken to writing down his rules and his schedule, and abides by them and expects everyone else to. Max recently decided that for his 5th birthday he would like to have a solo museum tour because he is worried his friends would not listen to the dinosaur workshop or dig for fossils correctly. He has a vocabulary that is out of this world (sometimes I feel I need a dictionary to talk with him) and is not afraid to be honest with his observations (e.g., "Mom, you are not doing the moves they are doing on Hi-5. It is a relaxing show, and you? You just look a little spastic. Maybe you should just sit and watch"). He is hilarious and comes up with things that are totally correct, but not things you would ever think a 4 year old would know or say. And, despite his eccentricities he is still one of the sweetest things in the world. He will come up and hold my hand, or climb in my lap, or just hug me. And, it makes me melt everytime.

Alex has always been much more easygoing than Max. In fact, Arran went away when Alex was 3 weeks old to a conference. He called to check-in and Alex was a bit fussy. He asked what the noise was and seemed completely startled when I replied that it was Alex. He had never heard him cry before then (and, to be honest, I am not sure I had either). While Max did not sleep until he was over 2, I had to wake Alex up to feed the week we came home from the hospital. Max will barely say hello to his Uncle who he sees regularly and shrinks away from any kid who comes to say hello when we enter his school. Alex waves and blows kisses to random strangers in the grocery store.

I am not sure how I ended up with two children so different, but I know I am incredibly lucky to get to experience both ends of the spectrum.