Great Good Fortune

Channeling the Tootsie Roll Tootsie Pop owl from that commercial (“How many licks does it take to get to the center of a Tootsie Roll pop? One… two…. [crunch] Thhhrrreeeee!”)

My wee tiny baby boy is a full-fledged preschooler. We just celebrated his third birthday with family and friends, and he is so unique from his sister that some days I am just dumbstruck at the difference. And, to be honest, I am relieved to have one “easy” child who simply radiates love and happiness and fills my emotional reserves well beyond the brim. Even though we determined long ago that the twos were really not all that terrible when compared to the threes, he is still a tremendous joy to be around.

Other than a pretty hellish sleep regression that hit hard in April, he has been doing very well. His balance, coordination, and fine motor skills are far beyond age level. He counts to 14, knows all his colors, and is recognizing letters. He is able to display logic and reasoning skills that floor me. For example, this morning I told him that he would be taking Daddy to work. He looked at me very matter-of-factly and said “No I not. I’m too little to drive the car.” “No, of course not. You will be going with Grandma to take Daddy to work.”

The biggest milestone for him this year is a huge leap in weight gain and height. He gained SIX pounds this year on the special diet, bringing him for the first time onto the bottom of growth chart (he has been in the -5th percentile for height and weight since he was born). He also gained several inches and is now 35+ inches tall, and is in the 10th percentile for both measures.

While I don’t put much stock in comparing him to other children with this chart, I do find it enlightening that compared to his own history he has made big increases. I hope we’re doing the right thing by trying out the allergenic foods again.

Charming Boy, you are my bright and shining sun, just as you were when I was newly pregnant again after SIF and so terrified of losing you. Each day you reassure me that you are perfectly fine in this world, just as you did so many times before you were ever born (and I was petrified anyway). Baby Ray ‘o Sunshine, you are a most wonderous blessing and I am so lucky to share life with you.