When I was in my early teens, I helped out with a Valentine's Day party for the little kids at our church. Each of the teenagers was to be responsible for helping one of the little ones make a card for his or her parents. I was assigned a four-year-old boy. I'd never really hung out with little boys, save the ultra-cool kid named Jason I babysat, but he was nearly nine at the time. By the end of our craft session, this little boy, whose name I think was Jay (my mom will know--correct me in comments if I'm wrong), had convinced me that I wanted to be a boy's mom.
Lucky me, look what I got.
I had always, up to that point at least, assumed I'd want daughters. I'd give them cute names and do their hair. However, this little guy took me by surprise on that Valentine's Day. He was funny, rough-and-tumble, almost chivalrous and sweet as could be. When my nephew was born, I had such fun buying boy clothes and playing with his blocks and cars. There was a point in my pregnancy when I realized "OH, MY GOD--this baby could be a GIRL! What will I do???" Aside from the fact that she would possibly still remain nameless to this day because Marcus and I could NOT agree on girl names, I'm sure she'd be fine. We'd adore her and dress her in purple things and play with Barbies.
But man, oh, man, I'm happy to have my boy.
I've spent a lot of time lately lamenting the fact that Dean's babyhood is pretty much over. Once he is potty trained and the diapers are gone, there will be precious little stuff. aside from memories, that links this little person to the tiny infant we brought home all those months ago. He's getting more independent and talkative by the minute and he needs me to do less and less for him. The other night he woke up coughing and for the first time in a long time, we brought him into our bed and I held his sippy cup as he drank some water. I longed for just one more night with my smiley, chubby 8 month old gazing up at me while drinking a bottle. Then he looked up at me, smiled, waved and said, "Hi, Sugar! Where Daddy?" and we had a little conversation.
I miss my baby, always will, but I sure do love my little boy. I want to remember this age because it's happening so fast, the growing up and the changing. Here are a few tidbits about my boy, just as he is right now, mostly for my own benefit. I have a feeling one day soon I'll be looking into those eyes wishing for one more day of 28 months.
He smells like sunscreen most of the time. He can't get enough of the outdoors.
His hair is soft as feathers from being wet over and over--we spend a lot of time in the pool and the bathtub.
He calls me "Sugar" most of the time, but has started to let a "Mama" slip back in here and there.
He holds my hand when we walk together.
He picks flowers for me.
He snuggles up in just his diaper with his trusty monkey, Stu, in his mouth. He also has elaborate conversations with Stu and shares all his meals with him. Stu takes a lot of baths, too.
He asks for me first thing in the morning.
He gives real kisses.
He likes to wear hats again.
He is hopelessly addicted to Snow White. My favorite thing is hearing him say "Dorfs!" and "A weeetch!"
He points and says "Reach!" when he needs me to get something that's over his head.
He loves bubbles more than ever.
He sings songs and does hand motions.
He can hold a juice box on his own without squirting it into his eye.
He has perpetual bed head.
He is STILL cutting his 2 year molars. Yowza.
He has discovered the joys of the piggy bank. If you mention money or coins in his presence, a light comes on behind his eyes and he runs and fetches his bank and says, "Moneys?" We spent 20 minutes shoving pennies into his pig this afternoon. Fortunately, this can double as counting practice. He has finally learned the difference between a penny and a dime.
He still prefers fruit and pasta over all other foods. Thank GOD he can tell me which fruit he wants, or pick his own piece out of the fruit bowl because the guessing game? Was getting old.
He's started saying, "Yes!" but it sounds like, "Yis!"
He gave me the most fascinated look I've ever seen when he skninned his knees and I told him Mommy kisses were magic. After a kiss on each knee, he said, "all better!"
He caught a catfish with his dad the other night. He likes to climb on our boat, just to check things out.
He walked around this evening with play-dough and grass clippings stuck to the butt of his shorts.
He takes off his own diaper and throws it in the trash can.
He's everything I ever wanted in a boy and more.
