Friday, February 13, 2009

PSF: My Little Dude

A mere 18 months ago I peered into a set of dark eyes surrounded by wrinkles and peach fuzz.

Last night I peered into a set of deep blue eyes surrounded by smooth creamy skin smeared with a mixture of chocolate cake, frosting and banana (Yes, I look for any excuse to make cupcakes).

What a beautiful face. What a huge mess . . .

Although I see glimpses of that newborn baby that I cradled in my arms, today I see more the boy he is slowly turning out to be. I am full of all sorts of bittersweet amazement.

I have a toddler now. A TODDLER.

And nothing can truly prepare you for living with a toddler. Well, except two months alone in the Amazon jungle with the constant chatter of monkeys, the jabs and pokes of the greenery, the rough terrain of the near-untouched land, the never ending fear of the unknown, and the constant desire to dry off or to take a shower (with soap). That might give you an idea . . . MIGHT.

And all that said, I so completely and utterly dig this little dude. Here is just a sampling of why . . .

1. His hugs. Man can this kid hug! He comes running, full force, throwing his arms around you and burying his head in your shoulder. He hugs with his entire body. He's like a warm coat you just don't want to take off.

2. His laugh. His giggles are still that of a baby. They are light and airy and coated in sweetness. Until you do something silly. Like reenact an episode of The Three Stooges. He is enamored with ridiculousness. If you drop something, he laughs. You stumble, he laughs. You fall, he cracks up with this deep giggle that resonates from his belly and curls up in your ears. I'd fall all day long to hear that laugh. ALL DAY.

3. His words. OK. Although I talk to J all day long, we read, we sing, we play . . . he's not much of a talker. Of the English language, that is. He jabbers all day long. But either I am not well versed in "baby" or he is literally speaking another language. But let me tell you, when a perfectly formed word springs from those lips, it is like someone dropped gold in my lap. Lots and lots of gold. In the matter of the last couple days it is like a switch has turned on and I am hearing more and more words. Up. Down. Car. WOOF. Dog. Cat. An expletive I swear I never taught him . . . (I think he's trying to say "funny duck"--at least I hope that's what he's trying to say).

4. His brains. He is taking after his dad. No doubt. He's been sorting shapes for months. He stacks blocks, building towers as tall as he is only to knock them down. He pulls things a part and puts them back together. He can sort his Legos into color piles and like items into bins. Brilliance in action, I say (and if this is totally normal for his age, don't tell me. He still tries to eat weird and gross things off the ground so I need something to hold onto).

5. His heart. Several months ago we found that if we put our hands over our eyes and "cry" he will come running, remove your hands and check to see if you are OK. Once he sees your eyes he moves in for a comforting hug. He hears crying, whether a baby at the mall or a woman on TV and a look of concern creeps across his face. YET, when he cries he just shakes it off. My little tough guy with a heart.

and here are a few other fun facts . . .

6. He clearly possesses the skills to one day work in covert ops. From sneaking sips of his dad's Mountain Dew and emptying a box of cereal (that used to be up high on the counter) to tearing apart a roll of toilet paper and ripping open all the mail (that was in a drawer in the desk), he knows what he wants, performs reconnaissance and then goes for it. He's got skills.

7. He loves chocolate. Dang it. My competition.

8. He develops infatuations with strange items. One minute it is a small Elmo finger puppet (normal) and the next it is an emptied bottle of travel-sized hand sanitizer. I don't get it.

9. I'm pretty sure he's made the decision to become a vegetarian. Either that or the mass/distance ratio of the flight plan of a piece of meat is more interesting then actually eating it.

10. He is FAST. I was a record-setter in high school track. I competed (and won a lot) at the college level. I've been running nearly my entire life. I am FAST. Or. I WAS fast. This kid is can have me heaving in a matter of seconds. And the minute those little feet touch ground . . . watch out!

And finally . . . I love this face. This face that belongs to the boy that cracks me up, makes me smile, swells my heart, brings tears to my eyes, fills my heart with fear and worry, but most of all . . . makes it all worth it.

Only 18 months. I can't imagine 18 years, yet I know we'll be here in no time.


Love. This. Face.

* * *

PhotoStory Friday
Hosted by Cecily and MamaGeek

35 comments:

Kat said...

You just never know that stronghold a child can have on you until you become a parent. It is hard to imagine loving someone so much and so quickly.
And that face. That is a beautiful face. :)

Sage Ravenwood said...

Thanks for the smile dear one. That little toddlers smile is enchanting...(Hugs)Indigo

tiarastantrums said...

oh so very sweet

Corey~living and loving said...

BEAUTIFUL POST! being a parent is the most amazing thing EVER! I love to read the gushes of a smitten mom. ♥

Happy PSF!

Anonymous said...

It is amazing how much you can love someone so little. It sounds like you two have so much fun together!!
I love those hugs, too. And the look on his face when you walk through the door? Priceless!

Cecily R said...

I love how happy, sentimental and poetic you are about your boy.

Time does fly, but I have no doubt you will relish in every moment.

He is adorable!

Wait. What? said...

He is beautiful and you are right time flies by so fast, so grab those hugs while he is giving them out freely and enjoy this time, because nothing I have lived matches it!

Cathy - wheresmydamnanswer said...

OK just YUMMY!!!

Anglophile Football Fanatic said...

I love his sense of love & empathy. Will come in handy later in life. GORGEOUS blue eyes.

Anonymous said...

There are days like today when you look in their eyes and you see how far they have come in such a short time and your heart swells and the tears come. When you realize that all too soon they will be moving out, moving on, raising a family of their own, and yet, they will always be *your* baby.

Cherish these moments. They are what make motherhood rewarding.

He's absolutely precious hon. Thank you for sharing him with us all.

Lindsey said...

Ok, this list, it is fabulous! I tried not to cry (still hormonal?) b/c I now have a toddler too. HJ was just a babe in my arms yesterday or at least it feels that way.

Oh and that picture....I could just eat him up.

As always, awesome post;)

MamaGeek @ Works For Us said...

And *whoosh* there went 18 months!

He is SO stinking cute, even IF you have to compete for chocolate. :)

KG said...

What a hawtie! How cute about the crying thing ... I've SOO got to try that. Maybe it will make mine stop beating me upside the head a la bitch slap. As in, "Woman - get in the kitchen and get me some goldfish. And make it fast, biotch.

Chris said...

He seems like a character -- what an amazing life he is going to have.

Your words are wonderful and touching.

Anonymous said...

He is beautiful, I love being a Mommy too.

flutter said...

ooooof. my heart.

Carrie and Troy Keiser said...

Sweet post!
They grow SO incredibly fast!

Indrani said...

Lovely post!
I was smiling as I scrolled down and read.

Anonymous said...

I love this post.

Took me back.

Oh how I miss those years

Lori said...

That was so sweet and what a sweet face too! :-)

Tara R. said...

Toddlers are so much fun. I love the way they run, and hug, and laugh. Enjoy this time... there is so much fun for you both in the future.

tracey.becker1@gmail.com said...

sniff. Sniff.

I can remember, quite clearly, Justin at 18 months old. Tow-headed and calling me his "best fwend."

Honestly, are you trying to kill me over here? I can't handle blogs this weekend. I just can't!!

Aracely said...

I know most moms dread those little toddler monkeys but so far it's my favorite age and the thought of my baby growing out of it KILLS ME!!

I can stare at him for hours, he gets concerned when his brothers cry too, and when one of them says they're cold he runs into their bedrooms and brings them their blanket! Can you just die!?! LOVE THAT BOY!

Happy Valentines day my friend.

Anonymous said...

Reconnaissance!

That is so derned funny, because if you were a fly on the wall, you'd see his little face and want to laugh so hard at him being sneaky.

"Funny duck"!

Jenna said...

I love this! It reminds me so much of my little one, especially the running full speed into a tight hug. They are so sweet, aren't they?

And once I spent a week in the Amazon jungle, covered in monkeys, and yes, it was a lot like having a toddler.

Mozi Esme said...

Love that Amazon comparison!

This is such a sweet post - it makes me fall in love with him! And I can so relate to everything you're saying.

BTW, my baby is brilliant beyond compare, too. So don't even bother trying to compare! We both know the truth from where we sit!

Unknown said...

It's amazing how they go from baby to toddler in what seems like the blink of an eye.

Smart and beautiful. What a winning combination! : )

Anonymous said...

someone once told me that you never realize how much your parents love you until you have one of your own. that love...is so intense. and amazing.
he is gorgeous honey!!!

Woman in a Window said...

Keep them numbered very carefully, all of these wonders, they're quick little beggars too, nimble feet.
They're flighty
whosh
gone.

Indy said...

I love 18 month olds. So sweet. Enjoy.

Pregnantly Plump said...

Very sweet post! He sounds wonderful.

JK said...

Oh, how much he has grown! He is giving you colors in your life and isn't it wonderful to be a mom?

Karen said...

What a sweet tribute to your dear little man.

just jamie said...

What a treat it is watching your TODDLER grow before our eyes.

Love the tender moments that capture you. What a softie you are!

amanda said...

awwww :) such a sweet toddler...

where does the time go?

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