|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Posted: Fri Jun 10, 2005 10:56 pm
Lawfer's Quest - Part 2
Everything got delayed when I turned back into the gender I was born into. The other kids didn't mind the change as much, and Lezard went on without skipping a beat.
But Lawfer absolutely refused to let me touch him for almost two weeks.
I don't know what eventually makes him warm up towards me again, maybe he still very faintly remember that when he was born, I looked as I am now. Or maybe Junyi just doesn't know his perks as I do and it frustrates him.
Soon after the red adu decides that maybe I'm not a total stranger, things pretty much got back to normal, and I resumed my little 'experiment.'
You see, by chance, I found out that Lawfer likes dogs. The normal ones, even ones he has never met before. To a point that he let a strange dog slob all over his precious ball and chewed on it while he watched without any negative emotions (I thoroughly cleaned the ball afterwards. Lawfer might not mind, but I am not letting his sleep with some dog's drool.)
He still does not like the solo outings, but the twins seems to be getting more used to them. Or rather, they put up with it more and don't try to tear my eyes out as much. I took every chance I can to let him go meet different animals. I found out that he takes a shine to the following:
Elephants
Wolves
Dogs
Mandarin Ducks (Don't ask how I found this one out)
Dolphins
Horses? etc
He does not like all animals however. And acts pretty much the same around these animals:
Tigers
Cats
Bears
Mantis
Snakes
Sitting down with various notes I took on his behavior. There doesn't seem to be a pattern until Ying, looking at the picture books of the animals while I work, points out that all the animals that Lawfer warms up to are either pack animals and/or am devoted to a specific other individual (be it duck or human.) While the animals that have no affects on him are pretty much solitary animals/insect.
The idea seems pretty ridiculous at first.
I'm sure that the young adu would have no idea which animals are pack while others aren't. Should I assume that maybe he can sense their thoughts... or maybe feelings somehow? Can he sense those who dedicates themselves to another or a group of others?
That would also indicate, though, that at least Lawfer in some sense have some sort of mental skills... or just a very strong sixth sense. Which still doesn't explain why he doesn't show such acceptance to others, more (although I'm hesitant to use such a word but I don?t know any others that would fit) intelligent beings who also exhibit such behaviors.
I sighed again, Lawfer is such a troublesome kid, and the endless cause of my headaches. But... saying that would really do the boy injustice. As much as both boys are a handful, when I'm overstressed with work, when I?m simply unable to care for them as much as I like, Lawfer never made any mess during that time. His problems are mostly small to moderate (except for outbursts, which to his credit, also never occurs when I don't have the means to curb it) and always happen when Lezard isn't also throwing a fit around. So when you think about it, Lawfer is a very good child. I suppose he can't stop all problems that come with growing up, but he does try to make it easier on me by at least making sure that everything else isn't blowing up in my face at the same time.
A small smile comes to my lips as I thought about it; I don't know why I failed so badly to see it before, but Lawfer is trying to help me out in his own little way. He isn't the anti-social, cold, distant, brat (well, maybe a little) that I thought he was, the boy really is just trying to make my life easier by doing what he think is best.
So despite his reluctance to accept the outside world, at least he cares for the on going of the family. So he is, in essence, a pack animal like the animals he adores. Although there really is still much unanswered questions, I don't care at this point.
Standing up, I quickly make my way to the boys' nursery, where Ying is watching them (I've warn her on numerous occasions NOT to dissemble Lawfer's wings or I'll never get her another book again.) The red adu gives me a questioning look as I approach him, and the expression turns to shock as I pick him up, snuggles him, and kisses him on the cheek.
I laugh again at the furious blushing and the wild attempt to get away, my little boy is growing up, and I will try my best never to misunderstand his good intentions again.
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Jun 10, 2005 10:58 pm
Lawfer's Quest - That is NOT part of the exhibit! How I found out that Lawfer likes elephants
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Jun 10, 2005 10:59 pm
Entry #013 - It's your turn
After some thinking, I think I finally found out what Lezard's problem with short attention span is; he has no patience. Zero. Ziltch. Niltch. Nada. Non-existent. End data, end program. Kind of like his 'old man' really, but that is a topic for another day.
"Oh quit fussing around." I murmur as I try to dry the little blue thule after his morning bath. Notice the keyword, TRY.
His brother looks quite discontent in the lukewarm water, but except for splashing around a bit more than he usually does, he doesn't complain.
"If you only hold still for about five seconds, I would have you out of here." Here's another area that we are alike. Dispite loving to swim, I absolutely hate getting wet. No, please don't apply logic to that, it will only hurt your brain.
Finally getting Lezard to a stage where he is barely wet enough to get a cold, I quickly towels down Lawfer and dresses the two boys. Then with one in each arm, I carry them out of the flooding bathroom, keeping in mind to clean it up later.
One thing I did gain from raising the twins that came in handy when raising Luna was that I now can manuver doors quite well with my leg. Proping them open, closing them with a kick, piece of cake.
But I'm not looking forward for what's coming up, are you ready for this? t's time for another exciting (read: painful) round of 'What Lezard Would Like to Eat before He Changes His Mind in the Next Five Minutes.' Feel my burning enthusiasm.
Back to the topic at hand. Lezard need to learn some patience. I can't always serve on him every second of his life, there will be a time where he needs to wait. For me, for Lawfer, for someone else.
After setting the boys in their highchair, I scavenge through the fridge. Gathering different flavors of baby foods. Lawfer always wants apple flavor, I usually have to mix other stuff in if I want him to have a balance diet. Lezard... well, we'll find out.
Opening a new bottle of apple flavored, I spoon out one bite for Lawfer, who eagerly devours it.
Maybe fishing... Since the can is already open, I might as try my luck. Nope, Lezard refuses to eat the apple.
What about chess?... Corn is up next, still no luck.
Knitting? Beans meets no welcome.
Model building? Carrots is a no go. The same goes for the rest of the other flavors.
Fustrated, I line up the bottles in front of the blue thule.
"Alright, fine. Don't like what I pick? Choose what you want yourself."
After some time pause, Lezard reaches forward for one of the bottles. I pick it up and read the lable.
"Apple." I roll my eyes. "You could have just made my life easter if you eat it the first time.
Whatever, the thing is that at least the boy is eating what I'm feeding him, and I can feed both boys with one bottle.
So does this also mean fishing is a good idea?
"Good boy!" I smile widely as Lezard finish up what Lawfer couldn't. "I'd say this deserves something special. Daddy's got a surprise for you!"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Jun 10, 2005 11:00 pm
Entry #014 - ... oops
I did not remember something until much later...
I'm morally AGAINST fishing.
I just don't find the appeal of fooling some other life form into biting onto a hook that you know it's going to cause them pain. Even if you only remove the hook and throw them back, I'm sure it's still going to hurt like hell. If I don't like it if someone did that to me, I sure as well won't do it (or allow my charges) to do it to someone else.
But I kind of promised Lezard a fishing trip.
And as a parent and guardian, one should always keep their promise to their charges.
I'm so screwed.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Jun 10, 2005 11:02 pm
[ Message temporarily off-line ]
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Jun 10, 2005 11:02 pm
Lezard's Quest - Why do I feel like I'm doing all the work? It feels very one-sided...
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Jun 15, 2005 7:41 am
Entry #015 - Foreshadowing
There has been a growing concern in my mind. Although the facts from earlier in life dispute the hypothetical answer I'm forced to conclude with for the time being. Those facts are also dated back from all the changes that took place. I have to acknowledge that something is changing with the boys, underneath the surface that will take place whether I like it or not.
Lezard's changes aren't very apparent. Essentially he is still the same. From his behaviors to his thought patterns to his everything else. Including still being quite impatient and frankly, a drama king.
Lawfer's changes have not been so minor. His behaviors changed radically for the last several months and perhaps before. But the latest change... I think I'm the only one who noticed so far being their primary caretaker in the house. But I think in time everyone would notice. Hopefully it is just a phase thing that he will grow out of when he gets a bit older. Although I kind of have this feeling that it's not what is going to happen. The changes may just be part of him becoming himself, even at the cost of losing his voice.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Jun 18, 2005 10:31 pm
Entry #016 - A Silent Revelation
"Ahhhh..." I said, encouraging the boys to do the same.
"Ga." Lezard tries after a few prompts, a bit off, but not the point.
I smile and ruffles his hair, which he responds with a series of giggles and baby laughter. Lawfer looks curiously at the two of us, and I'm not sure if he either think both of us ate something bad for dinner and/or have no idea what's going on.
"Now you try." I turn to the red thule. "Say 'ah'. Come on, you can do it. 'Ah'."
We probably look a bit strange, me sitting with the boys in their room and making faces and noises at each other. But I figure now is as good as a time as any to promote the boys to start speaking, especially after my latest suspicions arise.
He looks curiously at me, not quite sure what I'm asking of him, even after a few prompts. Lezard, in the mean time, would not stop making sounds and I suspect he made every sound his vocal cord can possibly make at this stage of the development.
Lawfer looks over at his noisy brother, perhaps for some clue as to what is asked of him. Until finally after moments of watching, he opens his mouth to mimic the movement of speech.
But no sound.
"Come on, say 'ahhhh'..." I try again, "It isn't hard."
I repeat the sound slowly, so Lawfer can see the movements of the lips and tongue that together enables the sound to be produced.
But still no sound.
I don't know if the feeling growing in side the base of my belly is fear or apprehension.
When's the last time that I heard Lawfer cry? Now that I think about it, I haven't in a long time. It's always Lezard whose cries wake me up in the wee hours of the morning. When DID I last heard the gentle voice of Lawfer? Sometime before my hospital stay.
I slump a bit in my chair, why did it took me so long to notice? Is this natural? Or was it a overlook on my part as a guardian? Did I do something wrong during their upbringing that resulted in the silence?
I had to wipe away a tear, did I do this to Lawfer?
The boy in question is still looking at me, curiosity has been replace partly with worry and he extends a chubby hand to me as if to comfort. I take it and rub his soft skin lightly. My mind and heart in much turmoil.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
