Mommy Mondays: What Does It All Mean?

If this weekend's trip to Norfolk (where we were visiting our friends Dave and Meredith and their son Soren) taught me anything, it's this: trying to understand your toddler is about as useful as tits on a bull (or "socks on a baby," as John used to say). I am currently writing this post during what was supposed to be nap time. However, since Jack woke up screaming about chickens, I am forced to squeeze my blogging in while "Finding Nemo" does the babysitting.

Funny, he seemed so enthusiastic about the chickens this morning...

At any rate, Jack's behavior has been consistently inconsistent of late. He was actually really good this weekend, leading me to believe that Jack (and I) may have just needed a change of scenery. That, or I should have left Jack in Norfolk with my friends. Unfortunately, they were too busy trying to offload their toddler on us that they mistook my offer for jest. Shame.

Jack's interactions with other children are particularly puzzling. Despite the fact that he seems to have no trouble with the kids at school, his one-on-one skills definitely leave something to be desired. Several times I have watched him shove someone while shouting, "No pushing!" (Clearly we need to go over that one a few more times.) And while Jack and Soren hardly expressed interest in wanting to play this weekend, they jabbered about each other happily when they weren't together.

"This dolphin ain't big enough for the both of us..."

Jack's relationship with his on-again, off-again girlfriend Anneliese is the hardest to watch. There was a time when those two were inseparable. They could be found holding hands without coercion or bribery. Courtney and I delighted in unprompted kisses that we never could manage to capture on film. They were like peas and carrots. You may recall their trip to Mt. Vernon last fall...

The warm, pink glow of happier times.

And here is a recent image from their playdate during Flag Day.

The bloom is off the rose as far as one of these two is concerned...

Of course, when I asked Jack who his best friend was the other day, he said "Anneliese" without hesitation. I'm praying Jack isn't going to be one of those guys who treats girls like dirt just to see if they'll keep crawling back. Then again, what girl doesn't love a bad boy?

This week, I'm making it my goal to stop questioning Jack's schizophrenic behavior and try to just roll with it. After all, we're talking about a person who closes his eyes and actually believes he's invisible. Why ask why?