I'm emotional

Well, some of you may have been wondering where I've been. For those of you close to me, well, you know the story. For those of you who aren't, well, I really don't want to discuss why I had to quickly go "private" and I really have no excuse whatsoever for my blogging break. Not really sure why I haven't been in the mood to blog, but am now realizing that there has been LOTS of undocumented fun (and randomness) that I will somehow manage to update at sometime. Beware.

But the reason I'm emotional? My sweet baby boy turns FIVE today. My sweet Bear. Boo. Brother. The little turkey has been the most wonderful blessing in my life, and some days he exasperates me to no end. I love that boy and all his wonderfulness, his energy, his love for learning, and for the little person he is becoming.

Pardon me while I wax on, because I typically try not to talk about serious or proud moments of my children. I tend to want to remember the funnies and just documentation of our routine activities for some reason. :)

Five years ago today, I remember going to the hospital, kicking him out by induction because he was five days overdue. Laboring all day and pushing for over an hour (he was a stubborn little thing - oh, how that was foreshadowing) my sweet baby boy entered the world. I will never forget how he was crying and fussing and the nurse placed him in my arms, I spoke, and he gazed into my eyes and immediately stopped crying. A moment I will never forget.

The past five years have been wonderful, but I want to specifically document the past year. Four is a golden age to me. I loved teaching four year olds when I was in the Montessori classroom and this has proven true at home. His three year old year? Not my fave, but part of that might have had to do with a baby sister at home. I love the conversations we have, the reasoning I can have with him, and being able to joke with him and find funny things to laugh about (that are truly funny to me as well). I'm so excited for him to go to kindergarten next year (he is so ready), but I'm so sad at the same time. Mixed emotions. sigh.

He is starting to help around the house, but can't find something he's looking for if it is STARING him in the face. (It's a STRONG trait in the male side of Chad's family!!)

Food has become more of a friend for Lawton. Much less picky, but we still have a LONG way to go. He has learned to eat fruit with fervor and some "messy" things as well. He still won't let milk touch his cereal and doesn't like to get his hands messy with food. He eats some casseroles now, but often goes to bed without dinner because, well, I'm no short order cook and what you get is what you get!

The boy LOVES maps and could probably already locate more places on the globe than most adults. It's pretty humorous, actually. Anyone ever heard of Comoros? Me neither. Ask Lawton. . . or google it. (That's what I had to do!) He loves maps of Nashville, the zoo, on my phone, the U.S. or the world. He wants to know where everything is!

He loves his sister. . . except when he is aggravating the fool out of her. But really, he LOVES her. Just tonight getting out of the car he said he "loves her more than anything." He helps her with her shoes, gets her things, and plays with her all the time. I'm so thankful they have each other and can really enjoy each other's company now.

Lawton's most recent love the past few months? Sports! Chad and I like sports, keep up with them (somewhat) and have our favorite teams. You wouldn't ever find us watching Sports Center, however. BUT, Lawton is all the time wanting to check the scores on my phone, and is loving wearing his new caps and sports teams shirts he has been acquiring lately. This weekend he got a Braves hat and shirt from Noni and Dandy and a Predators shirt from Lance and Heather. So proud. SO proud!

He is so proud of being on a baseball team and has shown so much improvement since the fall. We really haven't pushed him - see no need to push him at this age - and he is starting to ask to practice and play. The boy has energy - LOTS - but is correctly channeled for the most part in some form or fashion. :)

He frequently has an opinion about what he wears, loves his cousins, loves to read and is so ready to grow up. *SOB* But don't tell him that hardly any of his peers still nap - he still does three or four times a week. . . :)

He loves the computer (very limited time) and his favorite new show is LIFE that we watch together as a family. (So interesting and awesome - you just have to ignore the entire evolutionary spin and look at it as how incredible and creative our God is!)

I am so thankful that God has placed him in our care and pray that we can make the right choices for him and channel his interests and gifts in the right way. I pray that he chooses the right friends and loves and trusts God with all his heart. I would bottle this time and age up if I could - he tells me he loves me twenty five times a day. :)

I love my Lawton Bear and am so thankful to be his mommy!

Happy 5th Birthday!!