What a Personality!

Parenting magazine had an article about the nine traits that make up your baby's nature, and how to make the most of them. I wanted to keep it, so instead of keeping the magazine, I'll just preserve it here and share it with all of you. We will see if I can hit Branson's personality pretty well.

1. Activity Level-Is baby content to watch the world from a bouncy seat or turn diaper changes into wrestling matches? Hmmm...not a hard one! Branson would be a highly active baby and according to Parenting, might reach his gross motor milestones early. I wouldnt be surprised.

2. Regularity-thrives on a schedule or unpredictable? Branson would be unpredictable, but he is getting better as he gets older.

3. Sociability- outgoing or shy? Branson has always smiled and played with everyone. He has had his moments of stranger/separation anxiety, but in general I would label him a social butterfly.

4. Adaptability- Go with the flow or refuse to eat, sleep, etc. if things are different? Since he isnt one of the rigid schedule type babies, he has been pretty flexible. He doesnt seem to mind if we arent at home, especially during December when we were out of town every weekend! He still wasnt sleeping through the night then, so we will see if he continues to sleep 9 hours when we go out of town again.

5. Intensity- Make his feelings known loudly or just a whimper? HA! This one made me laugh because I didnt have to think about it at all. :-) Branson has always had an opinion and has made it known. The magazine would label that drama queen, but I prefer drama king. :-)

6. Disposition- This is the one I had some trouble with. The questions was do they wake up smiling or start the day with a frown. The answer is start the day with a frown, but then it goes on to talk about babies that frown more than they smile and I dont think that describes Branson. So, Im going to go with generally happy baby. (I would not have always chosen that one, but it fits now.)

7. Distractibility- easily distracted with a change of scenery or hard to calm if he is not getting exactly what he wants, when he wants? Hmm...definately focused. He can be distracted eventually, but it isnt always easy.

8. Persistence- doesnt give up easily or flits from activity to activity? Branson tends to be a tenacious baby. He will sit and try to pull the carpet up from the floor for 3-4 minutes. That is a long time when it just isnt going to budge! :-) He also sat and figured out how to work the closure to the dog kennel, so now he can let the dog out when he is whining.

9. Sensitivity- fussy at the slightest provocation or seldom set off by changes in environment or routine? He leans toward more thick-skinned, especially when it comes to things like having dirty/wet diapers, being hot or cold, noises, crowds of people, etc. Those kinds of things never really seemed to bother him. (Thankfully!)

This has helped me to see that although Branson hasnt been the "easiest" baby on the block, he is definately not the most challenging. I have had fun learning a little more about my little guys personality and look forward to watching him grow and develop those characteristics even more.