1.

A~ was born on his due date.  I was in labor for six hours, start to finish.  (Thank you Pitocin!)  This was my first clue that my son was going to be the accomidating sort.

2.

From day one, he was my little Momma’s Boy.  He nursed exclusively – completely refused to take a bottle – which meant I couldn’t leave him for more than a couple hours and Daddy was rather helpless when feeding time came ’round.  But I didn’t mind too much because he was a very efficient nurser and I loved that I was the only person in the world who could give him what he needed.

3.

When he was about three we had this sweet little routine at bedtime.  It started as a way to teach him body parts … eyes, nose, cheeks…  he’d say “now my eyes” and I would gently kiss his eyelids; “my cheeks”… kisses for his cheeks.  Each night the routine got a little longer as we thought of more parts for me to kiss … with lots of giggles for the belly and neck.  Even then I knew to hold each of those nights tightly, that they would be gone too soon.

 

4.

As he got older, the bedtime routines changed, but they were still very special times.  In his later elementary years I’d come in at lights out and sit on the bed with him.  We’d look at his glow in the dark stars and talk about his day, or something he’d read in a book, or whatever was on his mind. 

5.

A~’s always been the “easy” child.  He’s quiet and thoughtful and can entertain himself in his room for hours with legos or a good book, or these days, the computer.  While his sisters are full of drama and his younger brother often perplexes me, A~ just goes with the flow.  This is both a good and a bad thing.  It means I have to make a concerted effort to be sure he’s getting the attention he needs and deserves, at home and at school.  (His teacher wrote in a letter of recommendation, “A~ is quiet and does not announce his abilities.”)

6.

I first realized A~ was gifted when other parents at school made comments to me.  A well behaved kid will often get kudos from teachers, but when other parents are saying “A~ sure is smart!” it leaves a bigger impression.  I think he could do pretty much anything he set his mind to.  He’s an absolute whiz at math and wants to know the how and why of everything.  His biggest weakness is that he’s an introvert and avoids the spotlight whenever possible.  I don’t really know how to help him past that, but I spend a lot of time trying to figure it out.

7.

I love my boy so much I actually get choked up thinking about it.  Is that weird?  He just makes my heart so happy.  I miss the sweet baby, the cuddly little boy, the curious grade-schooler that he was… but at the same time, I really like the teenager he has become.