Eleven years ago today we were blessed with our firstborn. Four years ago today we were blessed with our last child (or so it seems!) Seven babies in exactly seven years. Seven times blessed!
Our parenting journey started with a brilliant child- and one who was always on the move. He literally was checking out the delivery room with much interest (I didn't know this was unusual, as he was our first! A nurse also came to tell me, when bringing him from some procedure in the nursery before we left the hospital to bring him home, that 'This baby smiles. I am supposed to be thinking, when parents say their newborn smiles that babies can't really smile. But this boy DOES smile already- he focuses so intently on me when I talk, and I know he has smiled at me!' Those were not her exact words, tho I put quotation marks, but exactly her message. And he really did smile that young- not all the time, not every day, but he did smile from the start. I could write many examples of how amazingly alert and attentive he was ... but not today! :-)
There were literally several people who told me from time to time, when this boy was young, that they could just sit and watch N move all day long- because he was continuously moving and investigating everything. And with a very sunny disposition. He has had some challenges in life (like his mother!) but handles himself beautifully well, all things considered. He is quite confident, yet quiet in certain situations (for example will go to camp or sleep over at someone's house, without hesitating or looking back- yet may be very quiet most of the time while there), he has a fantastic grasp on two languages, makes friends easily, and quickly and easily learns any type of sport he takes an interest to. How is it that this 7 lb. 7 oz baby has grown in a mere 11 years to 5 feet 2 inches, with a size 8 men's shoe? Oh, how we love this boy!
And our youngest was also our biggest baby- just don't ask his exact weight just now, because I can't remember! I believe he was just over 8 lbs, tho. :-) And he delighted us with crying long and loud after he was born- music to our ears after having the previous 3 babies not breathing after birth, and needing immediate, intensive respiratory care. This one was healthy- what a blessing!! He is ... our baby! Everyone would still like to dote on him- but good thing he is too independent to take all the service he is offered! C is also a delightful boy. He is in a stage now where he talks. And talks. And talks!!! And so many of the things he says are just so delightful. Fresh impressions from an innocent mind! These days he often responds with, 'Of course!' to many things. For example today he and I made a quick trip to the local grocery store for a few birthday party items. First thing he saw when we went in the door were fresh-cut flowers, and he told me 'Of course we have to get flowers!' I asked him, 'Oh, do we?', and he again said, 'Of course!' And he says it with a little laugh, like he's wondering how you could have misunderstood this thought before! :-)
He is typically quite cheerful, thankful, expressive, and loving. A big difference between the first-born and youngest. The first-born does not share many details of his inner-most thinking. Or of most aspects of his life. We will communicate his basic needs, protests to requests to things he does not want to do, and things that are really exciting, or really important. Mr. C, the youngest, talks all the time. We know what he has dreamed, and what he might have dreamed, and what he would like to dream! We know who said what to whom, who may have said what to whom, and who he wishes had said what to whom! But- he is delightful. Everyone loves him!
I should go back now and write a post on each child who has already had birthdays this year- and then for the remaining couple who have birthdays later in the year, write at their birthday time.
And now- Good Night! I must go to sleep! I will not go to sleep with a pet called Zeep. (Or however Dr. Seuss said it!) Instead I will get the delight of sleeping by my hubby, after having him away for a couple nights. Another great blessing in my life- my hubby!
No comments:
Post a Comment