I liKe hiM

M Boy!

I must admit to suppressing slight feelings of betrayal as you, my children, grow up at such a rapid pace.

Especially, as you grow from infants to toddlers,

and toddlers to big kids.

I see pictures and I mourn the sweet dimpled hands,

chubby knees,

and the big, round belly that have been replaced by long, lean limbs and

skinny faces.

I suppose by the world’s standards, you are not a baby anymore,

nor a toddler,

but a big. boy.

And that both breaks my heart and fills me with immense pride.

For to love a big kid feels like quite a different thing than to love a little infant baby.

No longer do I get to cradle you day and night, drowning you in affectionate love and kisses.

 

 

I don’t get to have the controlling influence over you that I once possessed,

from morning time

to meal time

to bed time.

Which is hard to think about.

Because I have to exercise immense faith that I have taught and encouraged you enough to make wise decisions and be the sweet, smart, caring boy that you are

now and for the rest of your life,

whether or not I am with you.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

But I wouldn’t trade that adorable, toothless grin and those lanky hugs I still receive often

for anything in the world.

I am consumed with joy and pride every time I look at you, and as I watch you succeed in the world,

I remember the words that teary eyed Dad would often utter as he held your infant form in his arms.

“I like him.”

 

I pray for your protection, especially when I cannot be there to offer it.

 

And I always say that everyone needs one of you in their families.

 

I love your tender, pure heart.

I love how you hate getting into trouble.

I love that everyone notices the big kid out on the field and wonders where he came from, especially because he’s such a natural athlete. 

(Guess we’ll have to keep your birth certificate in my purse for quick reference to prove your biological age)

I love that you are an affectionate, sensitive little boy who loves kisses, hugs and snuggling up tight.

I love that you are my oldest, and you made me a mom.

I love your thirst for knowledge.

I love your concern for others and the way you care for your brother and sisters.

I love how socially adept you are.

I love your lisp and the gaps in your mouth, created by all of your missing teeth.

Love, Love your freckled nose and cheeks.

And I love your daily love notes, books, pictures and flowers you give to me.

You have such a huge portion of my heart and I know that I have some of yours as well.

For our bond is so special that I feel it every time I look into your big brown eyes.

 

Every day that I am forced to grant you a little more freedom, I dread the day I ultimately give you and your heart up to someone new for eternity.

So I try not to think about it and will continue taking baby steps. 

For now we will focus on just holding it together while you venture off to first grade in a few months,

and I have to share you even more with the world. 

 

I love you buddy!

 

sOmE frienDly adviCe

 

I’m the first to admit, I’m a sensitive pregnant person.

But still. It is sometimes baffling, the things people say to us “creatures.”

Especially women people.

Especially women people who have been pregnant at one time or another themselves.

 

Although this is not ellen’s case (obviously), I was still horrified by the things she said in her interview with Jessica Simpson.

So rather than jot down a list of “Don’ts” when approaching pregnant women, I’m gonna go out on a limb here and advise you to just do and say the opposite of everything ellen does and says in this interview.

You’ll be just fine.

 

 

 

 

My personal favorite is when ellen says she does not believe she is real, she feels like it is a joke!!

sOmebOdy’s 6!

Even though he’d been telling everyone he was 6 for awhile, it became official at the end of January.

Feeling energyless, I tried my best to keep the festivities simple.

But sometimes, that’s just hard to do.

We started with the cousin/family party.

 

My kids, who NEVER eat cake or cupcakes, (just the frosting) forced me to throw in the towel and change an age old tradition.

We enjoyed no bake cookies (at bday boy’s request) and hot fudge sundaes in lieu of cake.

 

They were a huge hit!!

(a week later, we were at a cousin’s bday and when my kids were offered cupcakes, I quickly answered “no thanks” for them.  You know, since they don’t like cake.  Well, they ate 2 each that night)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Then we allowed our big boy to pick 4 friends to take bowling at Boondocks.

We let them handle everything, but we were still exhausted by the end of the night.

And for dessert, ice cream sundaes, once again.

 

 

 

 

Cute Dad

 

That is one cute kid, I don’t care who ya are!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

JanuAry = bDays

Every year the kids get invited to the neighbors’ big birthday bash.  And I mean big.

This year it was at The Classic Fun Center, and since there were nearly 25 kids in attendance, I made my hubby go and be an extra set of eyes so we didn’t risk coming home one kid short.

These kids are lucky to have such a nice Daddio!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

P.S.  These pics also should have been pre St. George

E’s hAirS

 

 

 

 

 

 

Proof we do cut his hair.  Sometimes.

(This should have been before the St. George pics)