Dominant Interests

My boys' intersts have been rolling around in my head lately. Their interests are similar because they love to do everything the other is doing, yet their favorites are different. They each have their own thing, yet they share in each other's. And these interests seem to have been there from the very beginning.


Luke loves music and dance. I know I have posted on his musical/dancing abilities many times before. But he still loves it. He continues to bust a move whenever he hears music. And he comes up with his own moves! Its the most hilarious thing ever! The other day he's "break dancing" (spinning on the ground, crab walking, etc.) then he puts both feet on the couch, with one hand on the floor and one in the air. What?! We crack up every time Luke lets loose.

Brody joins him, mostly just fist pumping or copying Luke's moves. Brody's latest is to put his hands on the floor and one leg in the air because that's what Luke does while he's "break dancing." Its cute but definitely not his forte.

Music and movement has been Luke's thing for as long as I can remember. When Luke was unconsolable as an infant, there was a certain cd we would play that would calm him down. From the time he could stand, we've got lots of videos of him dancing. What I find interesting is that I lead worship (song & movement) every Sunday throughout my pregnancy with him. Its been with him even before he was born. :)

Luke loves television. I wish that wasn't the case, and I wish I had curbed this habit long ago because I think he watches way too much. He's always asking to watch a show or a movie. He has kind of "seasonal" favorites; he has a favorite for awhile but doesn't stick with a favorite show. He watches Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, Chuggington, Super Why, Dora, Deigo, Calliou (a current favorite), Backyardigans, Bubble Guppies (also a current favorite), Angelina Ballerina (current favorite). He used to be really into Thomas, Barney, and Dora, but not so much anymore. We don't have too many movies but he loves Rio, Finding Nemo, and Gnomeo and Juliet. We borrowed a bunch of movies when the boys were sick but he wouldn't actually sit and watch anything except Gnomeo. I buy him Veggie Tales and Hermie videos whether he really likes them or not because those are the shows I prefer he watch but they are not his favorite.


Again, this is an interst that goes way back. He was an infant and paid close attention to what was on tv. I remember he was very young, laying in his bouncer, back to the television and he cranked his head as far as he could so that he could see, and contently watched Dr. Phil for 30 minutes!

And again, Brody takes part in watching Luke's shows but has no favorites (although he says Elmo and Nemo alot) and does not have Luke's attention span or intrest in it.

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Brody loves balls. He loves to play catch, throw, and hit balls. He actually has a pretty good arm. He will turn ANYTHING into a bat.

He is his daddy's son when it comes to football. Today he sat in front of the tv for 10 minutes by himself watching the game. "Boball dame," he calls it. He roots and cheers and pumps his fists in the air, "Do (go) Nina!"

Luke's a boy and of course loves to play ball as well. But there is something about Brody's love for it that goes beyond Luke's. Luke picked up on a catcher's stance in a game and taught Brody how to do it. Now they take turns being the catcher squatting down to catch a pitch.

Brody loves the water. He has since I can remember. He's loved to take baths since he was a baby. For his first birthday I could not think of a theme that would fit Brody except water - so we did a bath party and took him to the Aquatic Center.

I thought Luke was the swimmer. For awhile he would 'swim' in the tub, rolling onto his tummy and pushing himself back and forth with his legs. Brody picked up on this and started doing it and has added to it. When he's ready to swim he throws all the toys out of the tub. He goes all around the tub (he has a little more room since he is smaller). He loves to lay flat in the water. He lays on his back, puts his head all the way down - ears in, and lets the water come in around his face. He just lays there - still. He's begun to yell while doing it, he must like the way it sounds from under there.

Its interesting to see their interests continue. The things they liked as infants, they still like. I wonder if they will continue down these paths: will Luke always love to dance and want to develop that talent? Will Brody be an athlete, be it football or swimming? Or will they soon grow out of these interests? Now that they are getting older, they have opportunities to get involved. I've been debating putting Luke in a dance class. Soccer is available for 3 year olds too but that's not necessarily his interest. Brody would probably love swimming lessons. Its just a matter of finding time for him and I to go.

Brody - 18 Months

My little boy is 18 months. Brody turning a year and a half feels quite different than when Luke did. He still seems like my little baby, and Luke seemed like such a big boy. I know it is only my perception because Brody is a very smart big boy himself.

His measurements from his 18 month well check:
29.03 lbs = 85th percentile
36 inches tall = off the chart

I have to say I was a little surprised because he seems so much smaller than Luke. But Luke is a big kid and older so of course he looks bigger! I am interested to see how Brody compares to Luke at the same age. I will have to look up Luke's stats and repost. But I do remember that Luke was never above 75th percentile for weight. Brody is definitely more stout.

Brody is a very good communicator. He speaks many words and is beginning to put words together.
OOoo - Luke
down nair - down there
Baball ame - He's always talking about "Football game"
He now says as he decides what to eat, "How bout...dat."
Every time you ask him where something is, especially his pacifier, he says, "Dada has it."
When he gets in trouble he acts like he didn't know the rules. The conversation goes something like this:
"Brody, why were you in timeout?"
"Umm..." Yes he actually says "umm!" Sometimes he will say, "Ooo" because he knows he hit Luke.
"Brody we don't hit."
"Oh."

Brody loves to play ball. Balls are definitely his favorite things. He actually throws really well. He turns everything into a bat; a fork, his toothbrush, anything stick like! He just learned to hike the ball through his legs so now he does that all the time.

He gets really attached to things. He now has two blankies, a baby (he LOVES babies), and a giraffe. He CANNOT do without his yellow fleece blankie, so if he at least has that, he's good. But there are days he comes toddling down the hall with all four.
Brody shows a lot of excitement. We took him to a football game and he was raising his arms in the air, cheering, stomping his feet and dancing around. He pumps his fists in the air a lot when he gets excited.

I did so much reading and learning with Luke, I feel bad I haven't done as much with Brody. But we sat here tonight going through his favorite book, 'First 100 Words,' and he could point out almost every picture. I asked him where the butterfly was, the broccoli, the motorcycle... I was surprised he knew them!

He loves to do whatever Luke is doing. You can always find Brody running with the big kids (Luke, Kameron, and Olivia). He copies Luke in everything, even eating. He'll watch what Luke is doing...Luke picks up his sandwich and takes a bite, so will B. Luke moves on to his carrots, so will B. Luke takes a drink, so will B.
I didn't think we'd ever have two of everything because we need to learn to share. But, oh boy, we need two of everything! They always want what the other has. They each got a pair of jammies from Grandma. Luke's had all kinds of balls on them and Brody's were striped. Brody had a fit. He liked Luke's ball jammies better so they fought over them. It made me realize we probably need two of everything the same!