Snotty Noses and other Big Green Monsters...

This hasn't been a pretty week.

The Duke caught a cold last week, and I managed to catch it too. As with all colds, this one went directly to my left ear and I cannot hear a thing out of it. So far, we appear to be the only victims of this latest round of germs. (Knock on wood...)

Besides running around chasing after a one-year-old with a really, really green, snotty nose, we have been dealing with yet another Big Green Monster.

You can call it jealousy or you can call it Sibling Rivalry - it all looks green to me.

If the Duke is playing with a toy, the Knight wants it. If he doesn't get it, he gives the Duke a little push or shove. The baby cries and I have to give the Knight a time out.

Repeat. Several.Times.Each.Day.

We have a no-hitting policy around here. If you hit, you get a consequence.

Consequences have been flowing freely at our house this week!

The Knight does not want to share any toys with his little brother - even if they are the Duke's own toys. When I make him share, I hear things like, "Why do you like the baby better than me?"

Heart breaking.

I have really been trying to work on their relationship. I want these two boys to be close, but right now I am failing miserably.

When the Duke toddles over to the Knight, I say things like, "Duke really likes his big brother and wants to say hi!" Sometimes this works and the Knight is receptive to the Duke's attention.

Other times, the Knight just walks away or asks me to put the Duke upstairs to nap or into his play pen.

I am not going to give up though.

1-year-olds are tough. They want to explore their little world. And if that little world includes toys absent-mindedly left in their paths, they are going to play with them and most likely put them in their mouths.

It's what 1-year-olds do.

The Knight isn't buying it though. He thinks the Duke is just being mean and we like the Duke better than him.

Sigh...

Here's to hoping this phase does not last long!