To be TWO...

As of last week, I am the mother of a two year old.

 Is it possible for two years to flash forward in the span of just months? Where did the time go? Last week I watched Back to the Future and couldn't help but feel a bit like Marty … life as I know it has changed, yet I cannot figure out how.

 With every big change in our lives, we have a solid start and end point. Our new marriage was marked by the joy of living under the same roof and in the same town. My new job afforded a new office, and a great car. Our new home resulted in a new neighborhood, a fresh location, and some new furniture. But our baby boy dropping the ‘baby’ and becoming a boy? No matter how I try… I cannot pinpoint the start and end points of this transition. Slowly, gradually, it simply happened.

Maybe I have been in denial. Maybe I have been plugging my ears and ignoring my mother’s warning that time flies. Maybe I slept through the past two years. And maybe, just maybe this is just the way life goes…

On August 27th, 2008, the greatest thing to ever happen to me, happened. I was 38 weeks pregnant, still sick as a dog with morning sickness (don’t get me started), and miserable. I woke up to my usual routine of eat and throw up, to be followed by a long – awaited occurrence… my water broke. This was it. Jimmy and I were elated … we finally knew the date of our boy’s birthday. We knew that in a matter of hours, the sweet face we had dreamt about for months would be looking into ours. And oh, that face is still the most precious sight to see. In many ways, dear Pearce looks so different. But in others, he is exactly the way I remember him when Jimmy handed him to me at 6:07 pm on his birthday.

• His button lips still form a perfect pout. They have this rosy shade to them at all times and I can see his daddy in his mouth. We knew it the moment he was born … Pearce was blessed with Jimmy’s plump lips.
• His hair is still wonderfully wild. I remember one of the first things I noticed about Pearce was his dark, soft hair. Even today, his little head looks and smells as sweet as it did the day he came into this world.
• His pudgy little fingers are still the softest, most wonderful sight. I love the way his hand dimples when he places it on mine or rests it in my lap. These small acts of affection warm my heart more than I could have ever imagined.
• And his cheeks. Pearce’s plump cheeks were there the moment he entered the world, and I have a feeling they are here to stay. I love the way they jiggle as he walks and plays.
• Pearce’s profile might be the sweetest view of him…those long lashes, perfect lips, and pudgy cheeks could take your breath away.

And now we celebrate our boy.

He is independent. Pearce sometimes puts on his own shoes…when did he learn this? He has preferences. Last week he asked me to cut the tag out of his shirt…what? He doesn’t need my help eating anymore and when he does need help, he has the ability to tell me straight out. No more guessing what he needs…my baby is a boy now and can tell me himself. He is a compassionate person…his clumsy, yet gentle pats on my back brought me comfort in a recent hurt. He is a singer. A few weeks ago I turned my ear to the back seat to hear a little voice singing “Jesus Loves Me.” And he is proud. His conquered puzzles and picked up toys are celebrated with an enthusiastic, “I did it!”

Two years have passed since Pearce entered our lives and while I don’t recall a clear start and end point of this milestone called boyhood…I have a series of tender moments to cling to. I will never forget the way he looked when Jimmy first handed him to me. I will never forget the sound of his little whimper…we called him a pterodactyl. I love the way I felt when he first started reaching for us and how precious he always looked snuggled up in our chests. The words “I wuv you mama” are music to my ears. And to hear our boy singing the words “Jesus Loves Me” is one of the more precious moments I recall. I love the little person Pearce is becoming and I am awestruck at his ability to warm my heart more and more each day. Happy 3rd Year, Pearce. We love you loads.