Ian's been a sick little guy this week. Just when I thought he had outgrown his need for snuggles and kisses, he got hit with a nasty stomach virus and wanted to be carried, held, and babied. I happily obliged. At 4:30 this morning, he woke up crying. By the time I got to his bedroom, Aidan was meeting me at the door, saying, "Mommy. Ian needs you!" He was burning up with fever. I got him some medicine, and Aidan got him some water. Within 3 minutes, all was calm again and as I tucked them back under their covers, I whispered to Aidan, "You're such a good big brother."
"Is it Ian's birthday yet?" he asked. I said yes. He answered, "So I'm not a big brother. I'm just a brother." He's right. For nine days, both Ian and Aidan will be 4 years old, and they think that's the coolest thing in the whole wide world. For now, they're even. For nine days, no one is older than the other.
Ian's feeling much better tonight. He's gone more than 24 hours without vomiting, and he hasn't had fever since that early morning bout. Once again, he's too big for kisses and snuggles. At bedtime tonight, just after taking a bajillion photos of him, I grabbed him up and squeezed him tight. He stiffened, furrowed his brow, set his chin, and then finally relaxed and gave in to the hug. But only for a second. Then he said, with all the authority of a 4-year-old, "Ok, Mom. That's enough."
That's what he thinks. He's a sound sleeper. He doesn't know that sometimes late at night, long after he's giggled himself to sleep, I tiptoe into his room and lay my cheek against his, feeling his baby breath tickling my nose. I smooth his hair, kiss his lips, and take him in until he stirs or rolls over, whichever comes first.
I love this little man with every fiber of my being. He's scary smart, tenatious and temperamental. I hope I'm smart enough, disciplined enough and long-suffering enough to raise him right. He deserves the best. He's my (not-so-little-anymore)boy.
7 comments:
Happy Birthday Ian - I'll be there soon with the biggest spoon I can find to eat you all up!!! Wow Stacy, your babies are growing up
:(
Santos loved every minute Ian "allowed" him to love him Saturday. I cannot wait until I get some of that love time. I hope he had a great b-day and that he has not lost his power ranger yet. Hugs
Oh, yeah, you need to be emailing me back girly.
Happy Birthday Ian! Max and I wish we could send you a snowman through the mail for your birthday...but I promise that we will build one together someday!
Happy Birthday a day late, Ian! I wasn't on the computer much yesterday, so I missed this post, and thus missed your big day. I'm a bad friend. :(
Happy Birthday Ian, from my 4 year old- Aaron- to you. Being 4 is fantastic!
H A P P Y B I R T H D A Y I A N ! ! !
You are such a big 4-year-old. We hope you're feeling better and that your birthday was wonderful. Your Mommy and Daddy are proud of you for being so smart and so nice and so big.
Denise and Richard,
Garrett and Clayton (we're almost 3!)
A belated Happy Birthday to Ian!! 4 years old already!!! Wow!
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