Wednesday, August 25, 2010

In which I introduce my son

This is Sunshine.


  • He likes to play "pretend sleeping on the couch and make funny noises and whoa! there's a monster in the room and we have to hide under the covers real quick."
  • He's always looking for someone to play baseball. Always.
  • He drops his "s's." (How do you make "s" plural? Just wondering.)
  • He is the peacemaker of the That Girl boys. If they are fighting over a toy, he gives in with a, "fine, it's okay, here ya go." But not in a sarcastic, mean way. In a I-don't-want-you-to-cry-and-feel-bad-so-you-can-just-have-the-toy-now-will-you-smile? way.
  • He loves his little brothers, and takes care of them. The NBC gets so excited whenever Sunshine walks into a room.
  • He's super sensitive. If he does something wrong, all I have to do is act disappointed in him and he's in tears.
  • He is my helper. He's always first to volunteer to set the table, water the plants, pick up the toys, or what have you.
  • He loves to stay home. If we're out too much, I hear, "but Mom, we NEVER EVER get to stay home and play EVER."
  • He has very rose-colored memories of Brazil. It is invoked whenever things aren't going his way here. Example. "In Brazil I ALWAYS had ice cream. In Brazil I didn't take naps. In Brazil I got gum EVERY day."
  • He is always up to play whatever anybody wants to play. He also can entertain himself for hours with a couple of dragon toys or a puzzle.

He used to be my "trouble child." The one I wanted a break from. The one who made me grit my teeth and question whether motherhood was really for me.

Now, at four, he's evolved into this wonderful little person who has become my best friend.


And let me tell ya, motherhood really is for me.

8 comments:

The Jensen Family said...

I love those little changes in life when you love your kid but all of the sudden, now you appreciate the whole package. What a sweet gift!

Becky said...

You made me cry today! Now I want to drive the fifteen minutes to school, march into my boy's classroom and hug his little guts out.

Thanks a lot. :)

Jocelyn Christensen said...

You always get ice cream in Brazil? that settles in...I'm moving there for sure!

The Prices said...

Sunshine sounds like an awesome kid!

Sharon said...

Oh, this is precious. Precious I tell you. That last picture made me cry, and I'm not a crier. It completely reminded me of my big boy when he was that age. All smiley and happy-go-lucky. He's almost 14 now, and I'm grateful that he's a good boy who shares things with me and wants to do what is right, but still. He's already taller than me, and I'll never have that little boy back again. I love watching them learn and grow and mature, but those small bodies and innocent faces are precious.

Rachel Sue said...

I have a confession. I had a hard time liking my youngest (oh, sure, I loved him to death) until he was about 9 months old. Because that was when he finally stopped crying nonstop and smiled at me occasionally. So, I get you.

Elisa said...

I'm starting to have the same realizations about my #3... and it is a great feeling!

Rocketgirl said...

What changed?? I remember the tearing-my-hair-out posts - what finally did the trick??? I still have a video of him crying... I don't know why, that monotone cry was the funniest thing I've ever heard :)

I've been too crazy to comment as much as I wanted to all summer, but can I just say one more time how much I adore you, your ideas, wit, strength and spirit?? Because I do. I want to be you when I grow up :)