Stubborn or Strong-willed?

Anyone who knows my husband and me know we are (as polite people would say), “strong-willed.”  Our families just bluntly say we’re stubborn.  We don’t deny this…either term.  Oddly enough even though we’re both stubborn, it does not seem to cause any problems or arguments.  He gets his way most of the time and then when it really matters to me, it ensures that I get my way, without argument.  This may not work for others, but we're happy with the arrangement.  I make sure to exercise this right when it comes to the last box of Girl Scout cookies.    

 Upon deciding we wanted to start having children, we knew that our children didn’t stand a chance of being anything but “strong-willed” (stubborn).  Thus life is interesting around the farm, and I’m not just talking about with the farm animals.  Our 4 year old insists on being different animals (a lion, wildebeest, dog, etc.) and that he must eat, walk, and play like one.  Dinnertime usually brings some interesting moments as a result, as does playing fetch with our two real dogs.  I’m sure he’s no different than other 4 year olds…or at least I hope so! 

Now onto little Manning #2.  Just a very young 7 weeks old and we’re ALREADY exhibiting signs of stubbornness.  Our pacifier is a vital sign of our happiness and therefore is a “don’t leave home without it” sort of item.  I say our happiness because it’s such a vital part of his happiness that it’s become such a vital part of mine.  If our little one isn’t fed the exact moment that he realizes he wants to eat, he literally rips the pacifier out of his mouth, disposes of it, and cries in a fit of rage.  The child doesn’t realize he has hands yet, but, unbelievably can still find that pacifier at that moment.  My husband first witnessed this yesterday and couldn’t believe it.  It’s quite amusing to watch.  He’s also learned who he needs to “kiss up” to in order to get what he wants.  My mom, aka “Grammy” to my little ones, loves my children more than me.  She’d say it’s a “different kind of love, “ but I’m no dummy, I never got so many goodies as a young child or got away with so much!  My 4 year old has this covered and now my 7 week old has already mastered this.  My two precious boys were being watched by my mother the other day and I returned to pick them up and take them home.  I took my darling infant from my mother and proceeded to be greeted by hysterics.  After two minutes my mom took him back and…he’s as happy as a clam.  Tried again, same reactions.  Of course, my mom is just beaming right now and I’m trying to figure out how to talk Dave into letting my mom move in so we never have to listen to crying again (maybe he can eat the last box of Thin Mints this time).  I take him back and with continued hysterics managed to get him into his car seat.  With a smile, I give my beautiful little boy a kiss on the cheek and whisper into his ear, “Don’t think I’m not on to you…”

What can I say; they are just like their father!  :)