Thursday, September 04, 2008

Two and a Half

Dear Jackson,
I was just lying here on the couch, experiencing some minor heartburn at the hand of your little brother or sister, and I was overcome by how much I love you. My sweet little man, 36 inches tall, 30-something pounds, outgrowing his size nine shoes, sleeping upstairs in his crib - a crib you are definitely getting too big for. We haven't bought your new furniture for your big boy room yet, but we plan to do that very soon. You are so big now that your nursery just doesn't feel like "you" anymore. That sounds sad, but I'm having so much fun with you right now that I can only be happy about this stage of your life and what is to come.

You are a happy child (assuming you're not bored) and I think you are especially happy being two and a half. You are very strong and are coordinated enough to do all kinds of physical things. Yesterday I pulled out a ton of toys that you never play with to get ready for some friends (Allie's twins) coming over for a playdate. While I cleaned the house you played with every single thing I pulled out. You were very preoccupied but, oh my word, the whining and crying amazed me. I came to the conclusion that you just really don't like toys all that much. We couldn't even give you toys until you were 6 months old because you would get mad at them and have a complete meltdown within 60 seconds. (Somebody out there will back me up on this.) I'm just now seeing that you haven't changed much in that area. You love cars and balls, but things never seem to do what you want them to do. I think you are much happier running, playing in water, kicking balls, throwing rocks, and digging in sand. Your teachers always tell me how much fun you had on the playground running or getting dirty. It's just your thing.

You make Daddy and I laugh constantly with the things you say. These are some of my favorite things you say:
-"Bless you, Mommy!" (I sneeze a lot.)
-"Right there! Right there!" (Sounds like "Right dewre!")
-"I found it!" (You say this when you see something that interests you, perhaps on the side of the freeway, or when you find something you've never seen before but you like.)
-"I won!" (You say this when you tee tee.)
-"Look mommy! A plane! (A choo choo! A race car! A helicopter! A police car! A fire truck! A tractor!)
-"I don't like it." (You say this when you're done with something, even if you really like it.)
-"More grapes please." (Grapes sounds like "geeps." I love it so much.)
-"I want cersh." (Cersh is your nickname for cereal.)
-"Mommy, I want somepun." ("Somepun" means you want me to show you a video of monster trucks on You Tube.)
-Just now, in my hearing, your daddy gave you a blueberry muffin and you said, "Boobies! Boobies!" (Meaning "blueberries," which is a word you just learned this morning. We are cracking up.)

Every week your Bibby and Pappaw keep you one evening so Daddy and I can go on a date. Your dad and I never fail to spend a good amount of that time laughing about your antics and mimicking the things you say. God knew we loved to laugh together and He was so sweet to give us a thoroughly entertaining child.

I don't know if my words have conveyed even a tenth of what I was feeling when I started typing, so I'll end by simply saying that I love you so much. I never imagined that God would entrust such a special little person to my care. What a privilege it is to be your mommy.

32 comments:

Holly said...

And what a wonderful Mommy you are, too! I bet Curt could write one and your parents and friends and sister for YOU, too. I know they love you that much.

I cannot wait to see, who God has chosen to be Jackson's little brother or sister. I'm thinking he'll (she'll) be absolutely the opposite...utterly wonderful...and loved beyond belief!

Immeasurably More Mama said...

Very sweet! I've been keeping a journal for my son the past few months, too. I love going back and reading what I was feeling at different stages.

Gran Jan said...

Oh Amanda: As a mother of boys (rather I should say grown MEN ages 24 and 27) I absolutely love this post! You are so precious and so wise to be enjoying your son RIGHT WHERE HE IS. Every season is fun and as an older woman, may I affirm and encourage what you are doing?

And because you are so tenderly remembering so many details, God will honor that mommy memory. Just yesterday I was thinking about my oldest son (he just turned 27) saying "eee-shy, eee-shy" (long e, long i sound) whenever he saw those Golden Arches at McD's. It meant "french fry!" I'm almost 51 and I have that sound forever ingrained in my brain. I can still his chubby little legs sticking out of that carseat and leaning his head down to look out the window of that HUGE old car we had...

You are a doll!
Love & Blessings,
Georgia Jan

PS: I had a great time today at lunch...call your sister... :)

katiegfromtennessee said...

Little Mommma,

This is beautiful. There's something, I'm sure, about your own child that you cannot feel for anyone else. No one else:) That child is a little person that you carried in your very own womb. Such closeness. Lord, help us, may it be that way as they get older, graduate high school, college, get married, and have children of their own:) Jackson's sayings are priceless:) Good thing you recorded them. It is a privilege to be someone's mommy:) Much blessings to you!:)

Love in CHRIST,

katiegfromtennessee:)

Mel @ Studio MCA Designs said...

Awww. You will be so glad that you recorded these emotions. Even if it does not completely convey what you are feeling, it will help you to remember. In 10 or 20 years, you will still know exactly what you meant.

Jenny said...

I love the "somepun" part. And of course, blueberries is GREAT :)

My sister's twins are learning lots of words, they are 2 and are being advised to stop trying to say the word "fork". It is just NOT RIGHT :)

Hope to see you Sunday in our NEW sanctuary!

Big Mama said...

I just loved this. Enjoy every minute of 2 1/2.

Unknown said...

Amanda,

Every year (well, actually moment) with my daughter is so special. On her birthday (and in between times) I tell her I don't think she could be more beautiful. I couldn't love her more. She couldn't be more special. But, it amazing me...everything I think about it again...my love, her beauty, her friendship has grown even more.

I love my Sweet Pea so.

Sheryl Dean
Marietta, GA

Tiffani said...

What sweet sweet sentiments straight from a Mommy's heart!! Sometimes I am overwhelmed with such love that it has to spill out in some way...but mostly by telling Jesus how incredibly grateful I am for my two angels and the gift of being chosen as their mother...

oh, and I'm so glad that I'm not the only parent entertaining with YouTube...we watch funny animals, silly babies (there's one where the daddy tears pieces of paper and this tiny little thing is CRACKING up!)and my 8-year old loves mentos in Diet Coke videos(which is an AWESOMELY fun experiment to do!) but back away quickly after putting in the mentos (the mint kind)!!

eetomost said...

Some of those made me LOL! I nanny for a 2 year old and I can see him saying a bunch of those things. His sisters have just taught him how to do a karate chop,,hiiiiya! so cute and how to punt the soccer ball. it's so adorable. These precious times just fly by. It's so awesome that you are blogging those things here:)

Leigh-NC

JayCee said...

That's great that you are recording Jacksons sayings. I wish I would have done that with my daughters. I remember some of the things they said, but I would be able to remember and cherish more of them if I would have journaled about them!
Great mothering!!

Anonymous said...

What precious memories!

I loved his words and "boobies" for blueberries cracks me up too!

Lindsee Lou said...

This is so precious. When you write things like this, I just can't wait to be a Mom! (Not that I don't want to be, it just increases the desire!)

Have a great weekend!

Lindsee

P.S. YAY for the poop victory. And thank you for clarifying what was in the bowl he was holding! ;)

Anonymous said...

I think toys not doing what boys want them to do is the plague all boys must suffer from. My son was the same way and my mom said so was my brother. It will get worse when he sees the amazing things toys can do on t.v. . . . . and his will never be able to do the same thing! Sorry to break the news to you - lol.

Michelle said...

What a precious letter and list that you will look back on years from now and be GLAD you wrote down! So sweet. Thanks for sharing your joy, happiness, and laughter with all of us!
I was just talking with a friend today about how we get sad when our kids start to correct themselves in their speaking as they get older; how much we will miss the toddler speak! It's just the sweetest thing, what comes out of their mouths when they are this little.

Emmy said...

Oh Amanda-

So precious! Just melts my heart! And makes me smile and laugh too!

Don't you think that is the way God sees and thinks about us too!?!

It will just get better and better!

Love your sweet heart! Emmy : )

Anonymous said...

Jackson sounds just like my son, loves cars, planes ,trains,etc...
not sure if he likes to watch TV but we have been watching Live Action Videos by Dave Hood for years. His site is www.davemovies.com
Just a thought expecially after baby comes might be something he can watch while you get some shut eye:)

Sunni at The Flying Mum said...

So sweet! I can attest to the 1st 6 mo. of no toys!

MamaCass said...

I remember the first playdate I ever went to with all you girls. Jackson wasn't even a year old yet and he got so mad at some toy. It was hilarious. What a sweet message! I feel the same way. I just want to pay attention to every detail right now.

Jan said...

Amanda,

You have a heart of gold. Jackson is a blessed boy :)

Jan

Marla Taviano said...

This is so, so great and so, so sweet, Amanda!

I love this age too. Nina has me in stitches ALL THE TIME. And I love the "somepun" too. One of my favorite words of hers. I'll be so sad when she stops saying it.

Unknown said...

Jackson, since you're Mommy shares you with us online peeps (ask Bibby about that word one day), there are many of us who are having the joy of watching you grow into quite a young boy! You are too precious for words and loved more than words can say.

We're so proud of you for going to the potty like a BIG BOY!

I'm looking forward to seeing more of your shenanigans in the years go come.

Cathy (I consider myself an online type of aunt!)

Kim said...

What a beautiful treasure for your sweet boy!

LauraG said...

Amanda, I love all your writing, but I think this kind of post is my favorite. So sweet...

Smelling Coffee said...

Years from now, you'll be so glad that you wrote these precious thoughts down! I have a journal for each child and try to write in it on their birthdays. Time flies!

Bless you as you love and train your child(ren). Sounds like you're doing a great job.

Nicole - Life in Progress said...

How cute are you?? What a sweet post. Two and a half is indeed a delicious age.

Speaking Thru Me Ministries said...

wow - this will be such a treasure to him some day!! love, Leigh

Michelle said...

Amanda,
I keep a journal for my daughter who is now 12 and in the 7th grade. I write letters to her much like what you are doing for Jackson now. I was very faithful about it when she was little but as she got older the time seemed to get away. She knows about the journal and has always been anxious to know when will she get to have it! Something funny is early on I realized everything I wrote was about how precious and sweet she was and just an angel. I thought one day I need to write about a not so sweet time so she won't think she was Wonder child ( Now that she is in middle school and middle school mentality has struck I constantly have to remind her that she is a princess in God's kingdom, not Savannah's kingdom!) Anyway- that opportunity made itself available when i tokk her to the dentist for the first time. She was almost three and somehow my sweet blonde angel morphed into a spirit that I wish I could have sent to the pigs!!!! They all but asked us to leave. Can you even imagine - who gets kicked out of the dentist office? Fun times! It is so good that you write it all down because despite what you think you will forget some of it. I read Savannah's journal and can't believe some of the stuff I forgot about. Enjoy him while he is still the only - all of a sudden he will seem like a little man and not a baby. With those big beautiful eyes he has you can bet if you have a little girl she will have lots of friends wanting to date the Mister! Have a great weekend. Praying for your mom. Priscilla, and Kay this weekend. My daughter-in-law (who is expecting her first just a couple weeks after you - baby peep) and I are going to see Priscilla in a few weeks. We can't wait!

Susan B. said...

A good many years ago, a co-worker told me that he loved every age as his boy grew. I have to second that statement. Even though I now have a 15-year-old, I have loved every age. I loved watching him grow from a baby into a boy. And now I am enjoying watching him grow into a young man. That doesn't mean there aren't challenges, trials, and fears. But he is still a joy.

Lori, Landon and Logan said...

That is so precious!
Loved it!

kari said...

so sweet. man, these boys just know how to melt a momma's heart!!!

Elizabeth said...

What a sweet post! I love it when you post about Jackson since my oldest is the same age. They sound just alike! Carter could care less about being stuck inside playing with toys, he would rather be outside playing in the mud with some trucks and tractors. Many a battle has been had when it is time to come inside.
Cant wait to hear what baby #2 is!