Foreshadowing

I watch my boys and wonder if I'm seeing glimpses of their future personalities. Some of them make you smile, others make you shake your head, but it's fascinating to watch them.

• Brennan has developed a sentimental side. He hasn't been much for stuffed animals – that's Tanner's area – but lately he always takes "Monk" to bed at night. Monk is a stuffed monkey that I had at his age, the only one I kept from childhood.
• Tanner is fashion tone-deaf. That sweet kid can't find two articles of clothing that match, even on accident. Dress shirts and sweat pants, a striped tube sock with an ankle sock, a stocking cap with a tank top, and always a minimum of at least four colors… he just doesn't get it. Or doesn't care.
  
• Brennan on the other hand has become extremely self-conscious of his appearance. He combs his hair every morning; he matches his clothes. He likes to lean against something with his hands in his pockets and cock an eyebrow, and says, "Hey, how's it goin'?" And he's six.
• Elijah has this thing he does now where he furrows his brow and points a pudgy little finger at you and growls, "It's not yours." He likes to get on to people and set them straight if he perceives an injustice. Of course at two and a half, he's a little inconsistent with those judgment calls.
• The son who is most selfless and generous: Tanner, by a country mile. He doesn't like to be the center of attention and gets nervous in front of a camera, but would give you the mismatched shirt off his back.
  
• The most photogenic: Brennan, followed by Graham. Brennan even has a prepackaged smile that he can just turn on instantly like a politician.
  
• The most attitude: Elijah, but he is two and a half. Tanner's also a little foul right out of bed; both of these guys need a little space until they get going.
  
• The most intellectual: Brennan. He's already a nerd after my own heart.
  
• The most charming: Elijah, when he's not in a foul mood, that is. But Elijah's charisma is more on the self-serving end of things where Tanner is just endearing.
  
• The most likely to smile: baby Graham. He's already surpassed the often serious Brennan.
• The most easily upset: Brennan, followed by Elijah. They have an over-developed sense of justice. These guys are going to be cops or preachers or judges, just watch.
  
• The most artistic: Tanner. He's got an eye for space and proportion (unless it's clothing).
• The most spoiled: Graham, he's the baby!