It’s hard to believe that four years ago, I looked like this. [it's a terrible picture of me, but at 37 weeks pregnant, I think I had a a good reason for looking grumpy!] More importantly, four years ago, once he’d made his arrival in the world, X looked like this.
He didn’t make the stunningly quick arrival that his siblings made. He took his time moving from the womb to the world. He has always moved on his own schedule that way. He doesn’t seem to care so much what time schedule the rest of us have to keep, he will do things when he is ready. From weaning to potty training to getting dressed each morning, he can’t be hurried, bribed or cajoled. When he’s ready, he does it.
From that description, he sounds like a stubborn old man, but this kid is a little ball of energy! He bounces off of walls! Literally! When he meets new people, he’s very quiet at first. Before he talks a whole lot, he’ll show off his ‘moves’, which are crazy break-dance-like movements. Once the new person has watched him properly and commented on his prowess, then he’ll start talking to them.
He balances his tremendous energy and ponderous readiness to cooperate with a sensitivity that can’t help but touch my heart. He is often the first person to notice I need comfort, the first to offer one of his little friends something to cheer them up and the first to want to give hugs and kisses. He can be very sweet.
Four years old. Two years older than his older brother will ever be. Five years younger than his older sister. He has made his place in our family and our hearts. He is our not-so-little-anymore X-man. He has blue eyes, just like his brother and daddy. He is creative, quick to learn, overflowing with curiosity and energy, and altogether a balm for this mother’s wounded heart.
Some days he drives me crazy. Usually I watch him in amazement and gratitude for the gift that he is.
January 30th, 2008 at 6:55 pm - Edit
BEAUTIFUL–you and your little man. I’m a baby addict! How fast they grow, eh? I look at J napping in his swing and know the day will soon come that I’ll put the swing away, give the few remaining diapers away, drop him off at camp, go to his graduation, hold his child in my arms. Yikes, tears. Must stop . . . now.
January 30th, 2008 at 10:38 pm - Edit
Happy Birthday X!
January 31st, 2008 at 1:40 am - Edit
great post. X sounds like a cool kid! happy 4th birthday to him!
January 31st, 2008 at 2:56 am - Edit
When I first thought of him today, it was 5 a.m. and way too early for a call - the singing here would really not be a pleasant way for anybody to wake up. School was cancelled due to weather and I busied myself and X’s cuz’n partly bcuz I didn’t want to sit around wallowing in self pity from missing him. The next time everybody was together to call, it was 9:30 at night and I didn’t want to wake the kiddos.
Please give him love from Aunt Melanie. Hope you can work it out to see us next month. If not, we’ll be seeing you later in the summer!
January 31st, 2008 at 3:17 am - Edit
the times when he’s driving you crazy are probably the times when he’s doing his mind reading, lol
January 31st, 2008 at 4:16 am - Edit
I’ve never met him, but I want to squeeze him to pieces. I hope your baby had a great birthday.