Emotions

It's been so interesting to see Jack and Eli not only start to understand and label different emotions, but start to think about and understand each other's emotions. Tonight Jack was feeling extremely upset over something silly and was throwing a typical "terrible two" tantrum. He sprawled himself flat on the kitchen floor face first and bawled making it very clear he didn't want to be bothered. Eli was completely aware and all he wanted was to talk to him and get him feeling better so he could join the fun again. It was the cutest thing to watch. For literally the next 20 minutes, Eli and I read books together on the couch and every minute or so Eli would get off my lap, look over at Jack on the floor and say "Play? Play?". Jack would scream "NOO!" then Eli would patiently say "K", hop back up on the my lap and say "Jack. Maaaaad....Happy? Better?". Then I'd vocalize what Jack was feeling and that he didn't want to play right now. Eli would repeat my words as he always does lately then try again a minute later. He'd even attempt to start up games of peekaboo and chase and asked to get Jack's "baby?" all on his own. When he kept getting rejected over and over with "NOO!" he continued to be so level headed and would just happily reply "K!" and come back to me. Finally some gold fish did the trick and Jack was back to a calmer mood and Eli relayed the story to us as they ate. "Jack. Mad! Happy. Better. Play!"
I love thinking about these boys growing up together and hopefully being strong for each other when their brother needs them the most. Not just in these little two year old tantrums, but when life gets real tough. They are so blessed to have each other and I hope they will continue to learn how to be there for their brother when it really counts.