Behind Bars

This baby is getting more and more wild. Sometimes I think it would be safest if we just kept him in his crib more often, although he would never let that happen for more than maybe ten minutes at a time... and of course, I would feel too guilty not letting him free, free to destroy the house and put some seriously nasty things in his mouth. He is just too quick for me and before you know it, I discover that he has something swishing around in there. Recently, besides the occasional tiny toy of his big brother's (that shouldn't have been left on the floor), I have fished out a dead fly and kitty cat throw-up. Bleahhh!!!

There are times when he gets in these devilish moods (usually when he is tired and needs extra attention) and all he wants to do is bite, pinch, or pull our hair. He finds it hilarious when we yell out in pain. I am trying to discipline him but nothing seems to faze him and he just continues to abuse us.

Also, Ivan has NO fear of strangers and will approach and grab anything and/or anyone within reach. The other day at the library, his groping fingers came within centimeters from a man's bandaged elbow, ready to pinch off the big band-aid, but fortunately, this time I got to him first. Oh, and the entire time we are ever at the library, forget looking for a book for myself to enjoy, I am forced to follow this crazy child and quickly pick up the hundreds of books that he has thrown on the floor and prevent him from raiding all the garbage cans and digging in the plant pots. I am sure all the librarians get nervous the instant they see us come into the building. Thank goodness, Victor usually finds a book that interests him and stays in one place, intensely studying every pages. 

I forgot to mention the fact that he is loud, super loud. His varied shrieks are outrageously ear-piercing, and he takes great pleasure in trying to scream at the highest pitches and as loudly as humanly possible, especially when we are all in the car with no place to escape. But just look at him, he is far too adorable to make us angry, or at least stay angry. And he does actually have his peaceful, angelic moments, like when I shot these photos of him after a gloriously long nap, but they never seem to last very long. Despite all his boisterous behavior, which I do realize is quite normal for his age, I am greatly enjoying and loving him more and more everyday. 

Update on Victor:

He is getting used to school! Still gets a little sad right before we leave the house, but today was the first day that he didn't shed even one tear. So we had a "party" for him at dinnertime. We had gone to Trader Joe's right before mealtime, and the boys brought home balloons, like usual, but this time we used them as party material. I brought him to the table on my shoulders while cheering for him, and he got to eat an ice cream sandwich from the deli for desert. He was delighted.