Nature vs. Nurture

One of the fascinations of adoption is discovering the mix of biological and nonbiological determinants that make up JR. His affection for all things athletic; well we know that's biologically determined because it surely doesn't come from us. Then again, sometimes what he "inherits" from us is completely befuddling. I understand his penchant for newspapers, since his Daddy is never without at least one in his hands. But how to explain his system for getting dressed in the morning?

I admit to a few obsessive personality traits. Mostly, they are exhibited as a need to organize items. So my friends may laugh at me, but I just like to listen to my CD's alphabetically. I have also confessed to a few friends that I have my closet organized and each morning I just pull out the next item in line and wear it. It removes the challenge of making a decision before I'm wholly awake. I haven't told many people about this, maybe not even JR's dad. I certainly have never mentioned it to JR.

So how do we explain this morning?

JR was in his closet, picking out a shirt to wear with his sweatpants to preschool. The first shirt he picked out didn't match the sweatpants. I suggested he choose another shirt.
"But Mom," he protested. "This shirt is the next in line."