Dudes. I have a NINE-year-old.

Nine years ago today at nine a.m. exactly, and after a whole lot of effort and trauma, I became a mom. I gave birth to my first baby boy, Joshua Kenneth.

I would like for someone to explain to me how he went from this:

babyjoshuaTo this:

joshua

In like, 2.2 seconds.

Because the last nine years truly have flown by. And my boy has gone from a snuggly baby to a hilarious toddler to a ginormous 3rd grader, all in the blink of an eye.

This past year I have watched him conquer his fear of water and become an excellent swimmer.

goggles

I have watched him love on and teach his little brother. I’ve witnessed his rise from Star Wars ignoramus to Star Wars expert. (As Emily says, the NERD is strong with this one!)

tiegfighter

 

I have watched him get his feelings truly hurt by a friend for the first time, and tried to help him through that. That’s been a hard growing pain this year. But, I’ve also had the joy of seeing him make and cultivate new friendships.

He’s made me proud as inch by inch, he is conquering some of his other fears.  He’s becoming more aware of adult conversations around him. He’s still innocent, but he’s growing up fast.

He’s still my most loving and affectionate child, and I’m so glad he still loves to snuggle me. He also loves to hear me tell stories about him when he was little. Because he was such a joy, so EASY, I sometimes long for his babyhood back. “Mommy, was I your BEST baby?” He’ll ask me when he needs a pick-me-up.  And I’ll tell him a story of how his Daddy and I used to take him everywhere because he was just so darn agreeable. And then remind him that I love his siblings just as much (gotta keep it real, kid!)

Oh, there WAS that time you climbed into the tub with all your clothes on.
Oh, there WAS that time you climbed into the tub with all your clothes on.

I’m very proud of who my Joshua is and who he is becoming. Most of all I am proud of the way he treats others. I think he truly does treat them (with the exception of his sister, perhaps. Ergh.) as he would want to be treated. What more can a mother ask for?

Happy Birthday, baby boy. I love you!

 

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2 Replies to “Dudes. I have a NINE-year-old.”

  1. I remember the time that his safety was preserved in a Providential way. He was a month or two old and I was taking care of him at my house on a Sunday evening. I was holding him in the recliner and I thought,”I really should put him down on a blanket on the floor. I shouldn’t hold him all evening.” Then I thought, ” He is only little once. I am going to keep on holding him.” It is no exaggeration to say that within a minute or two, the ceiling light gave way and broke into thousand pieces onto the floor, right where I would have placed him. My husband was working outside and he heard the sound of the crash and came running into the house. So I believe that the Lord took care of him that day and that he is meant to be a great blessing to others in his life. He is off to a great start.

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