Tough Love

Day 1 - Bruise is just starting to show.

Round 1, Day 2 - Bruise in all it's fuchsia glory.

Round 2, Day 4 - Bruise still evident but looking better.

It was inevitable that we would have hard headed kids, but now we have photographic proof.

Justin has earned a reputation as an unpredictable wiggle worm, with no sense of self preservation whether protesting or having fun. Even when he was only a few months old and got mad and no longer wanted to be held, he demonstrated evasive maneuvers and tactics that jeopardized his safety. He threw his head and entire upper torso backward, then twisted, while making his body go limp. It made it a small miracle if we were able to catch him before he slipped out of our arms and hit the floor. He used the same tactic when laying on the floor, which often resulted in a conked noggin and an appropriate accompaniment of tears and accusatory glances at us as if to say "Why on earth would you let me do that?"

Evidently, these experiences did not develop into lessons learned since he still does it to this day. He seems completely oblivious to his body in relation to his surroundings. Justin's crazy antics are not limited to temper tantrums. He's famous for running through the house and running head first into furniture, walls, etc. Unfortunately, this week Mommy was the unintended recipient of Justin's jolting. Heather was tickling him and everyone was having a good time until he lurched backward and rammed her right in the eye socket, bringing her to tears and leaving a nice shiner. At the sight of her tears, both kids tried to kiss it to make it better and while the sentiment was appreciated the force of their kisses only added to the pain. If that wasn't bad enough, he followed that up with an encore performance and direct hit on the already sore eye and cheek a few days later.