My Sweet Boy…

Tonight my three and a half year old little baby boy William had his first official growing pain.   I recall getting these a lot as a child and my mama would rub my leg or arm until the pain went away.  It broke my heart when Emily would get them, but thankfully they seem to have subsided for her now.  She is almost ten.  Poor William is just starting down this road and it was hard to watch him tonight.  He cried and moaned a lot.  In the midst of his suffering there was a bright spot or two and that is what I want to share.  When I asked my sweet boy where it hurt he said as he rolled up his pajama pant leg, ” Right here in my skeleton.”  I nearly burst out laughing at his seriousness, but oh what profound words those were.  In his skeleton.  Who taught this child so well, I wonder? 

At first he did not want me to rub his leg, so I waited.  He finally relented and I rubbed his calf for a little while.  I asked him to say a prayer to Baby Jesus with me that his pain would be taken and my William said, ” You do it Mama, I am too frustrated.”  OMGoodness, he makes me laugh!  Such innocence.  During the middle of my prayer, William then asked me to sing to him his special baby song.  This song is a mixture of “You Are My Sunshine” and my own lyrics that I adapt for both Emily and William.  He must have stopped me ten times telling me to repeat a certain verse or change it this way or that.  He was obviously very restless.  He finally started to settle down and bob his head along to the beat of my singing, which is so sweet to see.  His little head on his pillow, bopping along, eyes closed.   Then, he startled me by asking me to change the last part of my song where I refer to him as “my baby William“.  My little man said, ” No Mama, call me Big Boy William now.  I am not a baby.”  When I said you will always be my baby he answered, “ I was a baby when I was this small,” (he made a gesture with his hands to indicate a small amount) “but now I am this big and  I am a big boy!” ( another gesture to show a large amount).  What else could I do but concede and sing about my big boy William?!

Man, he is growing up way too fast for me…  I love you my baby William <3

FT&PD

Suz