(Very) Short Stories from the Life of Spencer

Chapter: 9--"About to Be A Big Brother Edition"

Spencer,
You're about to be a big brother!  I'd be remiss not to remind myself what you were like in the months, weeks, and days before Evelyn made her big debut. But I also know that you've been affected by her existence for quite some time.  You've really weathered my less than romantic pregnancy amazingly well.  Behavior-wise, I've let too many things slide; and I'm paying for it now, right at the time when it would have been nice for us to have some things "down."  But, we're going to get there.
Otherwise, you're just the cutest, smartest, funniest, dancing-est, "clarinet"-loving-est little boy I've ever known.

When your (second) cousin Sam came to visit, we took y'all to the zoo.  It was a special day, so we went decided to go all out and ride the train.  You decided, despite your previous love of riding the train, that you weren't in the mood this particular day.  You screamed as we stood in line, and you screamed almost the entire train ride.  I didn't know what to do after a while of talking to you about it, so I decided to take some pictures to pull out when you're sixteen.  Mean ol' mom, making you ride the train at the zoo.  As you can see from the pictures, your cousin Sam doesn't know what to think about it.  Gigi and you (great) Aunt Sheila know exactly what to think about it.  They've been there done that.

  Strangely enough, we think you've gotten tall for your age.  We don't know what to think about it, ha!  There's definitely height on both sides of our family, just not much of it is expressed in your parents.  So, who knows.  [Please don't hurt your sister!]  Sam is tall too, here's a comparison shot (before the scream fest).

You've known all your colors for months (maybe 6, it's been a long time since I've sat down to write about you), you know lots of your letters, you still love animals, instruments, and "your people" (aka: family members).  You say new phrases every day, and you're finally going to get to start some speech therapy soon, which I know will be such a great thing for you.  You have so much to say all day long!  =)

You are going into your Sunday School class weekly without crying or screaming.  I think we're up to 7 cry-free times.  You're just growing up!  You love wearing your sunglasses to keep the sun out of your eyes, and whenever your nose even tickles you ask for a Kleenex.  Also, anytime something hurts you tell me what it is and then say, "Need cream."  Most kids are asking for bandaids, but you've had a lot of itchies in your life (not to mention eczema and diaper rash issues), so you think that anything that hurts, "needs cream."  I'm always sorry something is bothering you, but it never fails to make me smile when you say, "Leg('Yeg')!  Need cream ('keem')...."

You are doing so well going out with family members other than your dad and me.  Your Nana and G-Dad took you to the zoo on a beautiful "fall" day that came as a teaser around the beginning of September.  Your dad and I got so much done around the house and you had a blast.  They let you lolly-gag around the zoo to your heart's content.  They got you slushies (yes, plural--apparently G-Dad finished off the first when we he thought you were finished, apparently, you weren't finished.  And you weren't happy).  Someday you'll understand what a blessed little boy you are to have so many family members who want and are able to spend time with you.  I think you already know how much they love you, but you don't know how unique your situation is.

You can occasionally be persuaded to "help" me, but to be honest, it's not high on your list.  Bummer.  We've had lots of days where you have had trouble falling asleep for your nap, but I think we've figured out that you can't get comfortable and relaxed with me rocking you (since I'm so big right now), whenever your dad or your Gigi rocks you for a nap, you go right down.  I'm not as worried about it now, I just do my best to get you comfy and tell myself I won't be like this much longer.

A couple months ago, I thought I was being such a great mom, we took you to a frozen yogurt place where you could add toppings.  You've never had toppings on your "ice cream," but you love chocolate, and you love M&M's, so I got you chocolate / vanilla swirl, and I added mini M&M's.  As a child, that would have MADE MY WEEK.  Well, we're very different, you and I--and I'm constantly reminded of that.  To your credit, you did not cry or fuss.  You did, however, pick EVERY SINGLE M&M out of your ice cream after spooning it into your mouth.  Yes, it was very messy.  But you nicely piled them all up on a napkin once I refused to let you throw them on the floor.  I just sat there in amazement.  You're certainly thorough.

Speaking of thorough, that trait will be both a great asset and possibly quite a pitfall for you.  When you decide to do something, it's never halfway.  And, honestly, somedays I wish it were.

We've had record-breaking heat this summer, so many days we just lazied around the house.  Lots of those days, you seemed totally fine with it.  You didn't even ask to go outside.  You don't seem to care for 100 degree-weather either.  We did play in the baby pool and the sprinkler some, but on the hottest days, we hung out inside.  I'm so looking forward to it cooling back down so that you can enjoy your great backyard again.

You've been relatively healthy lately, a cold-turned-sinus infection here and there; but we've actually stayed away from the germiest places because I just couldn't bear the thought of a 2nd or 3rd trimester GI virus.  You just came down with your second "summer" illness yesterday--probably another cold that will be a sinus infection just in time to greet your new baby sister.  The back-to-school stuff has found us.  It's going to be an interesting fall.  Thankfully nursing is both tranquilizing to the mom and immune support to the infant.  You and your dad will be fending for yourself, I guess.

You have been very interested in all of the presents for the baby.  Don't worry, you've been given plenty as well, and we've been fairly "lenient" with you as far as letting you play with her stuff.  You've gotten a few new toys as well, and you don't know it but you have even more surprises (in the form of material goods) yet to come.  I honestly never imagined how, shall we say, "well-provided for" my children would be.  We're going to have a lot of character-building to make sure both of you learn what is really important in life.

I know that you're going to be an amazing big brother.  I can't wait to see you grow into that position in our family.  It will be such an important opportunity for you--one that will make you who you will be for the rest of your life.  Evelyn is a blessed little girl to get to have a big brother as fearfully and wonderfully made as you are.  Your dad and I can't wait to see you two learn what it means to be in a family together.