Lydia spent the night with my parents last night. I dropped her off at my mom’s church and Lydia happily waved good-bye. She was thrilled to be caught up in my parent’s schedule and their lives. Asa was amiable enough until I took Lydia’s carseat out the car. Then he started wailing. He loves his sister!
We drove to meet Les at a new Italian restaurant by our house. (And do you know that eating out does wonders for a clean kitchen?!) While we waited for Les to arrive, Asa was his cutest self. He waved and flirted with the waitress. He pointed out the fans, the decorations, the candle on the table and the fountain outside. He was having such a fun time. And I felt sad that if Lydia had been there, I may not have noticed his adorableness.
This morning Asa woke up about an hour early. He wasn’t crying, just laying in his bed calling all our names. I got up and went for my walk (FIVE DAYS IN A ROW!!) and when I came back Asa and my husband were snuggling in the bed. I had to curl up next to them and I rubbed Asa’s sweet face till I dragged myself out of bed for the second time to take a shower. (Note to self: do not go back to bed!)
This morning Asa and I have been cooking pancakes, watching Sesame Street and generally enjoying each other’s company. Right now he’s quietly reading books to himself. Although, this is one of his favorite activities, if Lydia had been here, they would have been running all over the house or we would have moved on to something more productive.
But as I stood in the kitchen flipping pancakes and listening my little guy patter around and read to himself, I felt so…wistful. My son is a unique being. He’s not just my second. He’s not just Lydia’s little brother. He’s Asa. Every bit as sparkling and dynamic as his big sister. I don’t mean to say I ignore him when the two of them are together (believe me, the chid is attached to my hip) but I don’t always get to experience him so singularly.
Maria Bailey once told me the best gift I could ever give my child is a sibling. And I see that to be true every single day. I am jealous for the love and laughter my children share together. But some days it’s a gift and a breath of fresh air to spend some one on one time with them. I want to know my children, their hearts and their desires. And today, I’m going to learn something new about my son. My beloved son, in whom I am well pleased.
Wahhhhhh.
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If it wasn’t clear, that would be me, sobbing, at the sweetness of this post.
.-= Vanderbilt Wife´s last blog ..I Believe a Change Would Do You Good =-.
I swear we live parallel lives. Last night we dropped Max off at my parents’ house (I had a 7:40 a.m. dr. appt. this morning so it made sense for him to spend the night and pick him up after), and then Josh, Olivia and I went to dinner and got ice cream, which she ordered by herself. Just the three of us. Like it used to be. It was amazing being able to give her our individed attention as she laughingly talked about chasing some boy on the playground (ack!). She’s only 5 1/2, but she’s grown up so much this year being in kindergarten, and I found myself wondering when that happened. I am blessed to have a few days a week with Max when Olivia’s in school and he’s not in preschool, but it’s so rare to have time with just Olivia. I’m glad we both had some precious one-on-one time with our little ones! 🙂
Beautiful. I needed that today.
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Absolutely beautiful.
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My exact feelings today. I love this post. Very well said!
Just shipped my 4 year old son off to his Nana’s house for the weekend and I am so excited to spend some quiet, getting-to-know-you-better time with my 16 mos old daughter. Not that I don’t adore my firstborn like mad, of course. I just don’t feel like I ever have the chance to get to know my daughter like I did with him. And I feel guilty about it. BUT…..I also realize that she has the pleasure of having 1 extra dose of love since birth because of having an older brother.
I love this! When I get to spend time with just Donovan, I see things I never get to see normally! Elias went to a baseball game with my parents on Monday night, so we took D to get ice cream, and he was a doll! Cracked us up non-stop!
And then there is the ease of only having one at that age! Why did we think it was so hard with the 1st one, you know? Why didn’t we take the time to just have fun with the older one when they were by themselves, instead of trying to hurry them along? (or is that just me?)
What a wonderful post. I only have one kiddo, but I can imagine that life just seems to slow down when you go from two to one. You get to enjoy that one child in a different way than you would have with two running around.
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This is so sweet–I love it.
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I TOTALLY understand this post!! You are not alone in feeling this way…it is so true! I’ve started taking 1 child with me when grocery shopping and that time has been amazing…we talk about so much and yes, I just see their uniqueness and how funny or thoughtful a particular child is…I hope to continue this! I also try to have a girl’s night (and hopefully boys night too) and eventually would love to do individual dates with my kids…we will see! 🙂 Lovely post!
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Good for you for Day #5……Rock on!!!
And then you made me cry with your post….so touching….so true. I’m blessed with three beautiful children, 5,3.5, and 14 months. But how I wish I got to experience them more singularly. My first born always seems to get her 1:1 time with me…..the baby is attached to my husband so I’m the one always trying to steal him away to get time with him, and my precious middle girl, well I’ll admit she just goes with the flow. She’s so sweet and has just started to speak up and ask for little things….like to sit next to me at dinner, because I’m always sitting between number 1 and 3 because they are demanding. Thanks for the reminder of how important that 1:1 time is. I always knew it but I have to be more intentional about planning dates with each of my kids.
So sweet. 🙂 I have to say though — this is {part of} what holds me back from adding another one. I know there’s always enough love… that it multiples, not divides… but how much will I miss by having only just my beautiful girl? I know that’s totally not the point of your post, but I can’t help but worry. *oops*
Not certain if I agree with everything here but obviously I was supposed to read this. Thanks.