Movie has mother questioning her son’s gene pool

Posted in Mom Stuff
by Melissa Linebrink

On Jan. 1, 2011, my husband and I started the New Year off right – it was date night for us.

After a nice dinner at a local seafood joint, plus a trip to the mall to get a box of Benadryl due to the allergic reaction from the seafood dinner, we made our way to see “Little Fockers.”

My husband and I watched the prior “Meet the Parents” movies, so we knew we had to see this one too.

As the movie unfolds, we learn that the Fockers have a set of fraternal twins – a boy and a girl – just like we do. During one segment Robert DeNiro’s character tells Ben Stiller’s character that his son has a “double dose of Focker in him.” Explaining that one twin generally has more DNA from a parent, instead of each child receiving the same amount (or something along those lines).

Thus, began the phrase “Double Dose” in our house regarding our son, Derek.

If my Grandpa Naymik were alive today, Derek and he would be like two peas in a pod. In fact, we should have named Derek “George” in honor of the man he resembles in so many ways.

And it just isn’t the fact that when he was born he looked just like his great-grandfather – with the grumpy faces and straight-as-a-pin hair. But, he acts like him.

My grandpa was a loving man who loved his grandchildren with all of his heart – much like Derek. He is the cuddling twin. He will sit in your lap and watch TV with you or read a book forever. He will give you a bear hug and smile at you afterwards. Katie on the other hand is too busy to sit (those she does love to give her daddy kisses now!).

My grandpa loved the outdoors, especially his garden. Thus rings true with Derek. He will play in the dirt, rocks and sand till the cows come home on a summer day.

On occasion my grandpa was a stubborn man (OK, one more than one occasion, but I stopped counting) and was set in his ways (especially as he aged!). If Derek does not want to do something, nothing you say or do will change his mind. Therefore, I have just decided to pick my battles with him – it prevents me from exhausting all of my energy on one child.

As I write this, it has occurred to me that not only is Derek like his great-grandfather, but he is also like his grandpa and well, I guess the apple doesn’t fall from the tree, since I just described myself too (well, except the grumpy faces!).

So, if Derek has a “double dose” of Naymik in him, that makes me one happy mommy!