Even before Axel was a year old, he was smooching on the other babies at daycare. He's become even more of a kisser and a cuddler since Jonas has arrived. There's lots of positive reinforcement for the adorable sight of a toddler kissing his wee baby brother - oohs and ahhs and giggles of delight from the adults at the sight of the kisses.
Now, the kissing has become a bit more aggressive. Axel's love will not be denied. He wants to kiss Jonas, and, in response to "He's sleeping," or "Not right now, Jonas is unhappy. Let's save the kiss for later," Axel starts wildly gesturing at his mouth and saying, "mmm mmm mmm bis bis bis BIS BIS," ("bis" means "kiss"). He will throw a tantrum if his love for Jonas is thwarted.
Since his love is not always appreciated at home, he's taking it on the road. He hugs and kisses his neighbors goodbye. He valiantly attempts to capture the cat with a overzealous cuddle. He winks, smiles, ducks his head in false modesty at the grocery store, then launches into conversations about his favorite topics - trucks and cheese - in an attempt to win over check-out ladies and all other people in a ten yard radius. Now he throws in references to baby, pointing to Jonas, who does a toothless grin or lets loose with a little drool. Yes, his baby brother is his wingman.
Apparently, he's also become the lovemachine at daycare, making eyes at kindergartners as he walks down the hallway and running into the girls' bathroom to wrap his arms around the legs of a certain young woman who has gained his affections. These hugs come with nose wipes, so you might also get a booger streak on your shoulder along with a warm hug, but that's the price you pay for love.
When I picked him up at daycare a few days ago, he walked over and slowly wrappes his arms around of the boys in his class, a sturdy kid with wavy brown hair and an earnest expression. At first, the other kid froze, not quite sure what had happened; he wasn't prepared for a 4 pm lovefest. Then, the boy hugged him back. They separated again, and returned for another hug. And another. And another. Then came a kiss. During the hugs and kisses, both boys had very serious expressions. Cuddling is nothing to smile about.
Awww, young love. I almost melted. The only thing that would've improved on the scene is if they'd been in a field of wildflowers and, you know, skipped off together while holding hands to save a labradoodle puppy from a swarm of rabid varmints.
Well, that might've been too cute. I might have thrown up. They are real boys, after all, and so, in the style of real boys, the kiss was interrupted by a sudden, intense need to slam the bell inside of the basketball hoop that sits in the corner of the room again and again. Then two other real boys got in a wrestling match over a particularly attractive truck that to the adult eye looks exactly the same as all the other trucks in the room but to a nuanced toddler's eye is clearly superior, especially when held by a fellow toddler. Hugs and kisses to smacks, in less than five minutes.
