Wednesday, April 10, 2013

....two years......

.....tomorrow is Brody's second birthday......in the two years since he has beautifully changed the dynamic of our family, he has endured many nicknames......Brotha Brotha, Buddy Buddy, just plain old Buddy, Bud, and Spud......but mostly, we call him Buddy......there is no rhyme or reasons to these names.....we follow the lead of the girls, as they drive the nickname rituals.......although, I prefer to call him my little boyfriend......I am the only one who can call him this and I usually tell him when we have our moments of just the two of us......

.....for the last two years, he has been attached to me......strapped to my chest, bundled in a sling while nestled across my body and most recently, he has been super glued to my right hip.....when I look at him and take time to study his features, I still see my baby......




.....but my heart has expanded and I love him deeper, more intimately and our connection is now a two way street.....

....I always savor the moments of knowing that after just a few steps away from me, he turns to make sure I am still near him.....he will usually beckon me with his sweet voice, c'mon momma, shortly after his glance......I breathe in these moments.....even in the midst of girls whining, running late for something, a leaking diaper, or sister screaming 20 feet away to be pushed on the swing; I stop and savor his walk away glance back over his shoulder, smiling at me......because it is one of those things when you never really know when it will be the last one......they will gradually fade and happen less frequently as he enters a new phase of independence; until one day, he will leave my side and he will not look back......


.....but for now, he is only two and I am inhaling the here and now......

.....right now, he adores his sisters and is a champ when it comes to putting up with princesses.....


....he receives so much love from the girls that it only takes one moment of watching them interact and any mess from the day dissolves.....managing three little ones can certainly take its toll, but watching the love unfold between them is worth any tough day of tantrums, cat fights, whines or tattle tailing......



....right now, his sweetness is memorizing.....


.....he is funny, loves Mickey Mouse, gets frustrated when we can't make out his sentences, loves to spot airplanes and hollers for Elsie at the break of dawn......he has figured out she can get to him the fastest and can hurdle him over his crib railing so he can make his way to our bed with his best book and his blanket......

....right now, he loves to be outside.....loves to be barefoot, loves to keep up with the big kids, loves to toss a ball, loves to wave a sword, a stick or a broom.....and hit someone with it.....he loves to read, loves to play with other little boys and prefers to wear something with a super hero donned on the front.....

....he laughs a lot, he is loud, loves to copy and mimic the girls and adores being the center of attention.....he tells me he loves me too every time I tell him I love him......every. single. time.

....pinch me.....



.....there will be many moments that will be the last in this next year, but there will also be newness ahead as he embarks into becoming more of a little boy.....

.....to think that I wanted three girls at one point......girl was all that I knew and I thought that three of them would be right for me.....I am so grateful that God chooses what is best for us......He knit this child to be beautifully and wonderfully made just the way he intended and it has been more than I could have ever imagined......

.....my son, you have been a perfect gift.....may the Lord bless you and keep you, may he shine his light on you and be gracious unto you, may he turn his face to you and give you peace......

...I love you, Brody.....

....please keep glancing back at me because I will always be waiting to return your glance with a smile.....