five pics of Beanie

From today. The place is a mess-- we had some painting done over the weekend to cover up woodwork that had lead in underlying paint layers. I've since come to the conclusion that de-leading certification is bunk, but I don't feel like posting about it now. We spent the weekend in Vermont, but it was sort of eh (cold, rainy, then sleeting/snowy on the way home; leaves mostly already off the trees). But at least we don't have to worry about any previously-flaking lead-positive paint, and that's something (and we'll go ahead with the certification for resale purposes).







Sam has been exceedingly obstreporous lately. It takes every ounce of patience and diplomacy either J or I have to deal with him sometimes, and then some. Four-and-a-half phase? Jealousy of the Bean coming out in unpredicted ways? Anyway... and then he will turn around and be so amazingly sweet and funny and charming, and somehow the reserves of patience are restored.

(Edited to add: In support of the jealousy idea, Sam said a couple of times today and yesterday that he likes it when Frida cries. Really? Why? I asked him, and he replied that he just likes it. I don't buy it for a second, though: when she starts to whimper in the car he sing-songs sweetly to her: "It's ok, baby, it's ok, Mommy's right there, and I'm right here, and we'll be home soon, it's ok". So... yeah. Jealous. And it's tough, because as she gets cuter, people coo over her more, and pay proportionally less attention to him-- and if they think to talk to him too, they mostly just ask his opinion about her and about being a big brother. And he just doesn't have the reserves of grace for that.)