Making Connections

I feel like my favorite little guy and I are bonding more everyday. I really have a lot of fun with him! I attribute this in part to the fact that I am learning more about how to make a schedule that is entertaining enough for him and yet still preserves my sanity by allowing for trips to Target and lunches with friends. These are the essentials of a good life.

I think he is a bit confused about how he one day came to live with people he did not know and they just happened to have a room made for him, toys for him to play with and snacks for him to eat. Whether it is a box of goldfish crackers or a t-shirt, he wants to know, "Who bought this for me?" This question is typically followed by the question, "Why?" I cannot blame him. If I was dragged away to another house and instantly had a closet of clothes in my size and lots of shiny new earrings, I would probably ask a few questions, too. On second thought, why look a gift horse in the mouth? I would probably just wear them and keep my mouth shut...but I am not a 3 year old.

Today we had a moment. On his first day here, he found this long sleeve hooded shirt in his closet that I had purchased for the fall, not the blazing hot Texas summer. He wanted to wear it that day and has asked about it everyday since, though I learned the wisdom of "out of sight, out of mind" and hid it last week. It rained today, so I let him wear it to dinner (it seemed reasonable in that situation). He began asking who bought that shirt for him. I got teary remembering the day I bought that shirt, having no idea when he would be ours and no real guarantees that he would ever wear it at all. He then asked a new question, "Where was I?" This was a good one. I had to say that I truly didn't know...I guessed daycare. He offered that he was probably at his "other house." I asked him if he liked it there and he replied, "No. I like it here." We then had a little conversation about our house and him staying with us forever. For those of you keeping track, remember I was already a little teary. This didn't help that.

He must be doing a lot of thinking today because as he laid in bed tonight, I heard him talking to...his stuffed monkey(?)on the monitor. He said, "This is my new airplane room, and this is my turtle [nightlight]. I didn't have a turtle at my other house, but I have one at this house...and a Daddy..and..." It got muffled after that. I think I heard something about Neb later on. Neb is our Yorkie, who is a somewhat anxious lap dog that we rescued 5 years ago. I am sure he was thankful to be included in the introductions.

I think we don't give kids enough credit. They need explanations. They need to talk things out, to ask questions, and to share their thoughts and opinions. I have done some of that with him, but I really want to start giving him more of a chance to talk about things. I will let you know how that goes.

Things I have Learned In My First Week as a Mommy

1. He really never will wear the "right" shorts with the "right" shorts. And there is no way on earth I can get him to wear the shoes that match... And I suppose that's okay.

2. There is a reason why they say "There's no use crying over spilled milk." Kids spill A LOT of milk!

3. When a 3 year old is involved, one can never guarantee they will be anywhere at any certain time (See #4).

4. Just because he wanted to brush his teeth yesterday does not mean he will do it today without a fight. Same goes for getting dressed, going to the park, swimming, eating and any other activity you can think of.

5. Kids are not concerned with efficiency. Sure I could push him in the stroller and get to the park in 10 minutes, but he thinks it better to walk it in 30 and pick up sticks along the way. I could put him in the car and have him buckled in less than 3 minutes, but why do that when he could climb in, wait for the seat to be the "right" temperature, and buckle himself in 10 minutes. Time is irrelevant to preschoolers.

6. It doesn't matter how many books he has, he will read the same two every night anyways. Same goes for clothes. He has worn the same 2 shirts 6 of the 10 days we have had him.

7. Chick Fil A and their wonderful playland is a gift from above. I now prefer it to all of the wonderful restaurants Will and I once went...

8. Don't like his mood? Wait 3 minutes..it will probably change.

9. Random hugs and "I love you"'s make all of the above perfectly acceptable.