You've learned and grown a lot, Matyu-boy. Of course, you turned one on February 28. This has been the fastest year of my life – it is so hard for me to believe you are one! You had a joint celebration with cousin Beckham and Uncle Brandon. Brandon picked the cake – some sort of divine cheesecake with chocolate ganache and a raspberry topping – and Beckham blew out the candles but you didn't seem to mind. Similarly, you got a bunch of Isaac and Abby's old toys for your presents. You love the ball popper, just like they did! Poor third child. I sometimes worry that you'll feel you got the short end of the stick . . . but then I realize that Isaac and Abby get nearly all hand-me-downs also plus I don't want you to grow up thinking material things = love.
And you are loved! Oh my. Sometimes I feel my heart will break when you lay your head on my shoulder and we snuggle (you are so snuggly still!) and I sing and I wish I could keep the world away from you forever. Your precious big eyes, soft wispy hair, giant grin complete with the most charming dimples. Oh the prayers I pray for you as we cuddle together: that you will never doubt His love, that you will be His more completely than I will ever imagine. There's something about you, little one, that takes my breath away and makes my heart sing all at the same time.
The ultimate demonstration of your strong will: one evening Daddy took a spoonful of peanut butter away from you. You just SHRIEKED – so loud and long that you didn't breathe again until you had passed out! You turned blue and went limp and then woke up all within 30 seconds. That was scary! You did it a few times more on other days but you now seem to be able to control your cries to avoid that – you didn't like it! You still SHRIEK when you don't get your way though and I'm always on edge, waiting for you to go limp.
I tried to start working out at the YMCA but you would have NONE of the child care. You would scream for ten solid minutes then the workers would come get me. You were willing to go to no-one but me, Daddy, Papa and Grammie. Then I started going to a once-a-week Bible study which provides a children's program. You screamed and screamed the first few times but those gals stuck it out with you and prayed for you. I am so thankful for them because now you'll go to nearly anyone after a few minutes of warming up to them. You go to people at church, your aunties, international friends. Whenever we see Grammie or Papa you almost launch yourself out of my arms you're so excited. I think you've finally learned that other people are okay! Whenever we're in a crowd you love to toddle all around the room, grinning at people.
Isaac loves having you share his room. He willingly cleared out half his dresser for your clothes and he's so careful to be quiet when you're asleep. He's always trying to play with you and make you laugh. Often he will talk babytalk to you (which drives Daddy crazy) but then you'll imitate his exact sounds. Abby is your little care-taker. She's always hugging you or brushing your hair or bringing you toys or commenting on your needs and desires (as if you leave any doubt). You like to give her hugs. You're not so sure about the hair-brushing.
You're a much better eater now, drinking whole milk easily from a cup. You love saucy foods: casseroles, pasta, cheesy potatoes. But also asparagus, broccoli, clementines, apples, melon, etc. Not really a bread guy. And once you taste everything on your tray, you pick a favorite and want ONLY that. You'll eat three scrambled eggs without touching your toast or banana. One night you ate a whole plate of refried beans AND a whole plate of rice at a Mexican restaurant. The next night you ate three big hotdogs at Grammie's house.
No comments:
Post a Comment