Monday, October 11, 2010

Happy Birthday, Josiah Patrick!

Birthday posts that are two weeks late is what happens in this busy household, little son. We're so busy loving you and enjoying you, writing about it often gets overlooked.

You're so independent now, always chasing after the big boys, trying to do just what they're doing. You want to be in the thick of things! But you still have a need for snuggles with Mama, and you're pretty good at letting me know about that. This morning you held up your arms to be picked up, pointed to the rocking chair, and said "baby". We rocked and sang the songs that I used to sing to you when you were a baby: Baby Mine, Tender Shepherd, Today, Swing Low, Down in the Valley. You laid your head on my shoulder and snuggled for about ten minutes, and then you were ready to play with your brothers again.

This year your big birthday present was a play kitchen. Grandma and Grandpa, Aunt Libby and Uncle Jon, and Aunt Abbey all went in with us on it, and I'm so glad! You love that kitchen. You're always bringing your creations to me for taste-tests. So far my favorite is the egg cooked with grapes in the stew pot.

You definitely have your own opinions about things. You don't like much of what I serve for breakfast, lunch, or dinner, and you frequently choose to skip meals rather than eat what you've been given. (This doesn't bother me too much, since you still have some lovely baby rolls on your legs.) You have mastered the word "mine!" and use it frequently, at high volume, to express your displeasure at sharing your toys.

Your personality is such an interesting mix. You're so outgoing, flirting with strangers in the grocery store and making friends with any "baby!" that you see. But you also need your space, and you know when you need it. When the chaos around you gets to be a little too much, you ask to be put into your crib. You lay down, snuggle your blanket, and suck your pacifier. A few minutes later you'll ask to get back out, and be ready to play again.

I look at this photo and realize that this baby of mine isn't much of a baby anymore. But I'm glad that you still need snuggles.

Love,
Mama

4 comments:

sarah marie said...

Wow, he is a little boy now! Happy Birthday, Josiah.

That list of songs brought back memories -- we learned so many of those from Mom. Remember when she taught you and I the "Today, while the blossom..." duet? We loved singing that together!`

Emily (Laundry and Lullabies) said...

Yes, most of my lullabies are ones that I learned from Mom. And I definitely remember singing that duet! Someday soon I want to teach it to Jonathan. He's getting closer to being able to do that, I think.

Amber said...

Wow, my goodness, what a big boy! Happy Birthday, Josiah!!!!

And my baby is currently walking up to Grandma and Grandpa's house with his big sister. They do grow so big so fast, don't they!

Anonymous said...

Em, I think it is so very cool that you will sing duets with your boys - I remember the extreme joy of my mom teaching me to harmonize on "Do Lord, remember me" before I ever went to school. What a great legacy to pass on your musical gifting to your sons.
Go for it!
Betsy