We are in disbelief. Josiah is turning five! I can’t believe that it has been five years since I had my heart stolen by a warm, wet, wiggly baby placed in my arms. I can still see his right eyebrow raised with wrinkles above it on his forehead. But let’s face it, I was in love with Josiah nine months earlier before I even knew he was a “he”. He has grown from a timid, sweet, baby who could do no wrong to a well behaved, though slightly wild, sweet little boy with ever growing confidence.
Josiah has amazed us this year. He’s a different kid than he was a year ago. His confidence level has skyrocketed and we are thrilled to see it. Initially we were even happy to see him disobey in public just because it meant he wasn’t deep in his shell anymore, though with time, we have become as embarrassed of and challenged by any poor public behavior as any parent would be :) This new found confidence and his efforts to explore his boundaries have also caused Jacob and I to have to adapt in our parenting!
Along with this new level of confidence and the start of school (and getting away from my poor teaching skills), Josiah’s knowledge of educational subjects has just exploded. He’d always resisted our “learning time” at home, but he’s doing fabulously at school. He still prefers to stay home and play outside (what normal boy wouldn’t?), but he loves going to school to see his friends, Ms. Merari, eat a snack, and play on the playground. Along the way, he learns stuff, too :) Josiah is actually pretty great at doing homework. Though I often help around cooking dinner at night and managing kids and lunch after school, Jacob has taken it upon himself to be the homework facilitator and together they usually get the weeks worth done in a night or two.
His thinking face.
Josiah learned about clowns the week the circus came to town and was supposed to dress up like one for school. We just pulled things together from our wardrobes, but it turned out he was the best dressed anyway. Go figure!
I’ve mentioned this before, but it sums up the major events of his year…I think it is safe to say his GI troubles are officially over and in his past! That is by far the very best part. Since his personality blossomed during the time that this was resolving, we’ve wondered if he was just struggling with how he felt physically. But, given that he also started school during these several months, we’ll never know. He seemingly just went through a few months of maturing in every way.
As far as his status as big brother goes, I couldn’t ask for a better big brother for Joshua. For Elijah, however, it fluctuates, like any good sibling relationship should :) Admittedly they drive us a bit nuts with the constant competition: who ate fastest, who got to the door first, who did what best…, but they also go on some pretty great imaginary adventures together. And Josiah is quick to protect Elijah from any perceived dangers. Too bad he perceives things differently than I do, though, and sometimes they get into some dangerous things.
Now that I have two boys that are old enough to have their own interests, I see Josiah’s individuality a bit more clearly. I used to think that all boys like trucks, tractors, dirt and running, but now I see that he REALLY LOVES them! He has never really needed a reason to run, he just loves to do it for its own entertainment value. He begs to go outside no matter the weather or time, but he really loves company and wants to share it with someone…anyone. In the last few months we have made some attempts to transition him to a training wheel-less bike, and he can do it, but he prefers the speed that his comfort zone allows. About the only inside activity that Josiah really enjoys to do is to draw or paint. He’s become pretty creative.
Food continues to be Josiah’s greatest love. He will eat almost anything and he is constantly hungry. He’ll readily eat his veggies, but he is passionate about junk food…and almonds :) We struggle to keep a good balance of not overindulging him while letting him enjoy what he loves while not stimulating whining for more.
So, here we are at 5 amazing years with this little boy. Sometimes when I look at Josiah, really look at him, I think he is the most handsome little man. And, sometimes when I cuddle him or try to carry him, I am filled with happiness that he is growing and healthy, but also sadness as I realize that my days of really nurturing him in a baby or preschooler fashion are quickly drawing to a close, yet I can’t wait to see what he becomes. He really is a wonderful boy with SO much energy and I love how he loves us.
1 comment:
sweet! I love how you captured him with his hair at every stage ;) Such a fun boy!
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