Snapshots in time

 
Seven years

You're growing up so quickly I can hardly keep up.  You've lost six teeth, stand as tall as my chest, read, write, add, subtract, carry and borrow.  You continue to love Legos with your whole heart, and Star Wars and college football and playing board games of all sorts.  You enjoy playing the guitar, and riding your Razor scooter and bike.  You've become quite the help to me in the last year, zipping your brother's jacket and carrying groceries from the car, and retrieving your sister from the stairs (again and again.)

 
You like to prepare your own meals, and have your mind one hundred percent made up as to what you will and will not eat.  I am proud to see you make friends of all ages wherever we go, and have delighted in being your teacher, and learning by your side this year.  You have a memory that is unmatched, even by myself and most grown-ups I know, and you never stop learning.  You are extremely close to your brother, and you delight in your sister.  You drive one heck of a bargain.  You are very loved.

 
Four years

In recent months you've really left your toddlerhood behind and we can now easily see the boy you're growing into.  You read and write your letters and numbers, and you love coloring, painting and expressing yourself artistically in so many ways.  You are funny as hell.  Really, really funny.  You play the drums and sing, and much like your brother you are more outgoing than I could ever hope to be, making new friends at every turn.  You have a seriously fiery temper, but are so tender, and loyal to those closest to you.  You enjoy superheroes of all sorts, rock and roll, and you beg to play outdoors whether it is ninety degrees, or nine.  And I usually oblige. 

 
You had a rough time with the start of preschool this year, being separated from me, and then once we took you from the program you continued to suffer severe anxiety about being apart from me.  Finally, in the last month or two you have come back around, and I am so proud to see you happily participate in your library and skating classes, and in soccer.  For being a little brother, you are most certainly a leader in many social situations.  You are so loved.

 
Sixteen months

At nearly a year and a half old (already!) you've gone through quite the change over the last handful of months.  You've perfected the art of sweet, cuddly girl-babyness, and in the same, holy hell, you've learned to scream.  I've yet to figure out if this is some extreme form of separation anxiety, wanting to be held at every minute of every day, or if this is just you gunning for what it is you want at a given moment, hard core.  I purchased a sling to wear you in last month, a slight deviation from our traditional Baby Bjorn, just so I could accomplish simple tasks such as cooking dinner and washing dishes.  So far so good.  Of course, the wonderful side of having a toddler who wants to be held constantly is that after a brief break from it, you've returned to being rocked to sleep, something your brothers never allowed us to do with them by this age.  We snuggle up in the rocker beneath your favorite blanket, your forehead nuzzled into my neck, and I rub your back and sing you songs as you drift off to sleep at night and nap.  These are some of my favorite times of day.

 
You love your kitty socks, your kitchen and your play food, and Goodnight Moon and Pat the Bunny.  Gramma taught you to navigate the stairs last weekend, encouraging you with each stair you made your way down.  And now every time you go down a step, you tell yourself aloud, "Good girl!"  At this age you have an awesome working vocabulary, and you are willing to repeat just about everything.  Some of your favorite foods include apples, grapes, bananas, cheese sandwiches, roasted cauliflower and cucumber.  To be honest, I have a hard time thinking of something you won't eat.  Thank you for being an easy baby in that way.  You strongly dislike any sort of barrette in your hair, but you love dresses, which is still funny to me after spending so many years with boys, who still have absolutely zero interest in clothing.  You are so sweet, and so uniquely you, and you are loved beyond measure.

 
First time

Back when I was very young I wanted to have a large family.  Later on I thought differently, for a while.  Full circle now, we are compiling all of the required information and filling out forms to mail off in our application packet.  I have spent hours upon hours online reviewing adoption agencies, and have found ours.  I do not know where you are right now, whether you have been born yet or if you remain with your mother.  I think about her all of the time, and about you, and about the decision that she must make to give you up.  No mother gives her child up easily.  God has called us here for you-- of that I am sure.  Even now, so early in this adoption process, I feel connected to you.  We talk about you here at home every day, and I am amazed at the way the idea of you has become so common to the five of us, and right.  I pray with my whole heart that the next year moves smoothly, and that everything falls into place.  We are coming for you.  We already love you.

Comments

[Bethany]

Oh Molly, how beautiful.

[C @ Kid Things]

I hope the adoption process goes smoothly for you. You sound like a great family, and you remind me so much of mine. Except you seem to have things under control way better than I could even pretend to.

[Karen]

The last section of your post gave me goosebumps, Molly. Beautifully written.

[Bunny/Jess]

Molly, I am in such awe of you. I have loved watching you grow as a mother of three and I am so impressed watching you prepare to grow your family even bigger. While raising 3 little ones already and homeschooling and all the other things you have to manage.

[Jen L.]

So, so beautiful. Wasn't quite ready for that--I cried all over Dean's head while reading it. Your children are all such special individuals and I applaud you for really taking time to know them and nurture them each in their own way. Your new baby will be so happpy (and lucky) to be a part of your family!

[Erin]

Such an awesome entry Molly. Your words are beautiful and peaceful. Just beautiful.

[MommyWizdom]

Beautiful! That was just beautiful.

http://blog.mommywizdom.com

[Cindy]

Oh my....I cant believe how old (and big)everyone has gotten! You have the most beautiful family!!
Love it!

[Erica]

So beautiful! Some sweet baby is going to be so lucky to have you as a mom. Also, you look amazing girl! I like your hair.

[Jenny]

Something so big for someone so little :)

And as far as KJ, he still continues to amaze me. I forgot to tell you, on New Year's Day Kev was telling him that Oklahoma won their Bowl game 31-28. And almost before I could, KJ said, "So they won by 3 points?" I almost fell over.