Blake says he's my favorite.
It's not true.
Except for today.
OK, so I only have
an entire montage to him from birth until now (almost.....who could keep up with more?). But, he is the only kid documented for nearly 5 years.
On the internet.
Which means, he's going to be labeled as absolutely
"crazy" or
"brilliant", based on my discretion.
I'll let the world decide.
(Fully knowing how they'll sway, of course.)
He's my only kid to:
*Not tell a lie in his lifetime. It's still (as far as I know) not an ability of his.
*Name every possible dinosaur privy to his little mind, including those I could have never read to him from a book because I would have surely screwed up the name.
*Live life fully in my care (minus Mother's Day Out and Preschool) from birth until now.
*Make me question Aspergers,
ODD, and every other possible label for his quirky personality.
*Insist I read more books than I ever thought available for young children.
*Give me the ability to love like I didn't believe I could.
Punkin Jack.
He's the only child I prayed for and begged God for. (Carter and Lainey came quite easily to the family, in case you're late to the game here).
I cried for 7 months thinking I'd never get pregnant again. After waiting so long to have a second child with the man I knew I would love forever. We had to wait. We wanted to build a house. We wanted to be sure. And, when we were, it took forever. For all of those in the same boat I was then (you know who you are, bloggies), I am praying for you, too.
He has taught me so much and more than likely my other 2 children combined will ever convince me of.
I'm so glad he loves trains and dinosaurs. I do, too, now.
So, you went from this:
To this:
In 5 short years.
Yes, 5. You are refusing to acknowledge your birthday and dismissing all adults from your party. This is all par for the course and doesn't phase us a bit.
I took a second at the beach tonight to document your favorite food. "Rectangle Chicken Nuggets" from Carls' Junior. They're technically French Toast Sticks, but we missed that correction upon moving here and getting settled. Damn.
I also documented your latest love. This doesn't inspire the same unique fascination as does the Coaster or Sprinter, a la Oceanside, California, but you do love it so.
Dinosaurs.
You know every one by heart and can pronounce them better than the experts.
Lainey is your best friend and nemesis all at the same time. I'm guessing that will go on for years. She has a way of making things "right" when you think she's wrong.
And, your big brother. That kid is pretty good to you.
I will frame this one for you soon enough. Fewer things in this entire world can make me smile like this.
Oh, wait. There you are. On the Pacific Coast, 5 years ago. Such a good match, even then.
And, finally.....the three punks. You are a match like no other. God had such a plan with this project.
You are so perfectly matched and uniquely different all at the same time.
And, I couldn't pray for more.
Know what I like about you most?
You're YOU.
You don't apologize for being yourself. You have an uncanny and often misunderstood knack for telling the world to eff off and I can relate to that in unmeasured proportions.
Carry on, soldier.
Your mama's got your back.
Happy Birthday Punkin Jack.
