Monday, July 21, 2008

It seems we've entered a new chapter in our lives

Yes, my hubby is officially done with school and the hunt for the new job has begun in earnest, but that's not what I'm talking about.

I'm referring to my three-and-a-half-year-old.

In the past few weeks, he's hit two major milestones:


1) Keeping secrets and
2) Had his first official play date with a neighbor without Jay or I present.

Nick, closeup Keeping one secret is impressive enough, but in the past few weeks, he's kept TWO. First, Jay took him to pick up my Anniversary/Mother's Day gift. Not wanting the boy to ruin the surprise, he told Nick it was a secret, then proceed to make up a goofy list of "what we got Mama" in case I were to ask.

The greatest part? He remembered the entire list of fake gifts - Jay made sure I tested him. It included (but was not limited to) various types of fishing tackle, sporting equipment and a new car.

Then, a week later, I was getting down to the nitty-gritty of planning the
surprise party for Jay. I had been trying not to mention it in front of Nick so as to keep the secret longer, but once people started calling on a regular basis with their RSVPs, that idea went out the window. His ears physically perked up when he heard me say "party."

"MAMA! We're having a PARTY?!?" he shrieked.

"Yes, honey," I explained, "but we're going to make it a surprise for Daddy!" I went on to explain that surprises were fun, but that he shouldn't tell Daddy.

"OK," was all I got in reply from him. But you know what? He didn't "accidentally" blurt out anything about the party to Daddy.

And when the neighbor boy asked if Nick could come over to play one day, he turned to his Daddy and said, "Daddy, I can go to Caleb's house?"

Now, its good enough that he realized he should ask for permission and not just run on over. On top of it, he was polite about asking. (The swapping of "I" and "can", well, we're workin' on it. He's three.)

"Smile for Mommy"He and Caleb have played outside a few times, most often talking through the fence, running items up to show off to one another. (See? My dump truck is bigger than yours.) A sign of things to come? Probably.

But on this particular day it was gawdawful hot out, and the invitation was extended for indoor play. I thought surely he'd be home minutes later, spouting one of those little boy excuses that really meant he wanted to come home but didn't want to admit it.

Will was napping and Jay was fiddling with something outside, so it was an omigosh! moment when I realized that more than an hour had passed and it was time for lunch. I sent the hubster next door to retrieve him, only to be informed that the boys were eating PB&Js and watching ET.

Huh.

I was not needed. By anyone.

Weird.

For the first time in more than three and a half years, I could actually do whatever the heck I wanted.

Then the baby woke up.

Ha! No, actually, he slept a while longer, but my point is I got a glimpse of what life will start to look like a few years from now. Its bittersweet, really. Its awesome to see the results of all the trials and errors you go through with your kids, trying to teach them right from wrong, to be polite, to make decisions for themselves. But its so hard to let go.

If we're so blessed, another baby *is* in the cards for this family. We'll have many more years of babydom. But Nick is my first, so everything that I experience with him is new. It gives me great joy - though it always makes me a bit sad when each stage ends.

And I'm thankful I get to experience it at all!

A Walk with Grandpa

10 comments:

Suzie said...

Wow how cool. Alone time how strange I have no idea how I would handle that other than to fall alseep very very quickly I keep wondering about having another but now I am so overwelmed with two three just sounds scary maybe some day before Im 50,

Kate said...

Awww! What a big boy he's turning into! I've always said that since having children I've truly come to understand what bittersweet is.

And congrats to hubby on finishing school!

Marni's Organized Mess said...

Don't remind me anymore what's coming please. :( I can't believe how big my boy is.

Mama Smurf said...

*sigh*

Before you know it he'll be telling you to watch what you say cuz he gets the dirty jokes now! LOL.

Enjoy it while it lasts...it all goes by so fast!

Christy said...

What a sweet post. Your baby boy is growing up.

Anonymous said...

Alexander couldn't keep a secret if his life depended on it. We got dad some of his favourite chocolates the other day, I said "Let's put them in the fridge so Dad gets a surprise - now don't tell him about it". "I won't". Five mins later as we came through the door "dad, dad we've got some chocolates for you!".

I love your boys - and maybe another in the pipeline (so to speak)

Anonymous said...

That first independent play date is a big deal. Wow! I am personally lusting after the year all of my boys are old enough to go hunting with their dad and leave me alone for a WHOLE WEEKEND! But secrets? Mine will never keep them.

Kelsey S said...

Hey, you guest post it up on blog! Sorry I couldnt tell you earlier we are having a hurricane down here and I couldnt get online!

Kelsey
mysweetlife.org

Brenda said...

It is so hard to want them to grow up, but still be our baby at the same time! By the way, I have tagged you for an award...stop by & see!

Darla said...

I love the age of my child (11) and I hate it all at the same time. Being a mommy is hard. ~sigh~