Today has been a pretty typical Sunday morning. Normally, we are at church every Sunday, but we have had to stay home from church so many times this winter because we have been hit by an insane number of cold bugs. I'm not sure that we've really had much of a break this season; Luke is in his first year of preschool and has managed to bring home every cold and stomach virus known to man. He even managed to get adenovirus, a nasty cough, cold, pinkeye, vomiting disease that we had never heard of, yet managed to spread to at least 10 family members who at least pretended to be understanding and laid-back about the whole deal. Really, our family only seems to have strange medical issues (rotovirus, adenovirus, whooping cough, toddler trigger finger . . . ). So in order to not infect the entire preschool department of our church (the kids are in 3 different classes), we stayed home in our pajamas.
Anyways, Olivia was sleeping while Luke and Ben were playing with a box in the living room. Aaron's co-workers had bought a beautiful rocking chair for Olivia and it came in a wonderful, jumbo size box. Perfect! Luke was putting on a play and the box was serving as a boat. He was bringing toys from downstairs and was throwing them into the box while narrating the story. I love his stories because they usually combine at least 3 or 4 different stories or movies into a very confusing adventure. He still narrates the story as he goes, even if he is just playing by himself. Ben was dutifully following his brother's example and adding his own little flair to the production. He was feeling so big and important to be playing with his big brother.
That was when it happened.
Luke came over to me and said, "Mom, I'm going downstairs to get more animals."
Now I know this doesn't sound like anything life changing. It really isn't. But as a mom, I realized that a little chapter of Luke's life is closing. For the past 2 years (since he was able to speak somewhat clearly), he has loved his "am-i-nals." He enjoyed eating "aminal" crackers and playing with stuffed "aminals" and seeing the "aminals" at the zoo. Aaron and I had always exchanged a little smile when he said it because it was just so stinkin cute! We even found ourselves slipping and saying it in conversations with other adults! But now that phase is starting to end and it won't come back. Ever. In about a month, we won't even notice that it is gone.
Anyways, Olivia was sleeping while Luke and Ben were playing with a box in the living room. Aaron's co-workers had bought a beautiful rocking chair for Olivia and it came in a wonderful, jumbo size box. Perfect! Luke was putting on a play and the box was serving as a boat. He was bringing toys from downstairs and was throwing them into the box while narrating the story. I love his stories because they usually combine at least 3 or 4 different stories or movies into a very confusing adventure. He still narrates the story as he goes, even if he is just playing by himself. Ben was dutifully following his brother's example and adding his own little flair to the production. He was feeling so big and important to be playing with his big brother.
That was when it happened.
Luke came over to me and said, "Mom, I'm going downstairs to get more animals."
Now I know this doesn't sound like anything life changing. It really isn't. But as a mom, I realized that a little chapter of Luke's life is closing. For the past 2 years (since he was able to speak somewhat clearly), he has loved his "am-i-nals." He enjoyed eating "aminal" crackers and playing with stuffed "aminals" and seeing the "aminals" at the zoo. Aaron and I had always exchanged a little smile when he said it because it was just so stinkin cute! We even found ourselves slipping and saying it in conversations with other adults! But now that phase is starting to end and it won't come back. Ever. In about a month, we won't even notice that it is gone.
It was at this point that I decided to start a blog. I read somewhere about being a "keeper of memories." Luke, Ben and Olivia are at ages where they won't remember but little snippets of this period of life. Granted, there are some things I don't want them to remember (example: the way the house has looked much of the time during these first couple months of having Olivia home). My three ridiculous kids say and do some of the wackiest, strangest, drive-me craziest, sweetest things and someday they'll have children who are also an enigma to them. I want to keep records of these moments so that they don't disappear.
Beautifully written Kelly, thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteoh how sweet Kelly (Michele)
ReplyDeleteTime flies....what a wonderful way to make it stand still!
ReplyDeleteYes, be the keeper of those memories. Bob and I, in the midst of every chaotic moment, inevitably turn to each other and say "we're going to miss these days". I hear it's really true. Love that you are writing. It's a discipline but such a fulfilling one.
ReplyDelete