October 03, 2004
Little Dude Turns 8
We started celebrating Little Dude's birthday on Friday. Someone had made a conditional donation to The Fund said I had to do something fun for Little Dude for his birthday. LD's choice? A Shark Tale. Thank you, kind donor! You made his day!
He really enjoyed the movie and I got my Will Smith fix. (Will Smith? Don't ask.) The movie was, even by grown up standards, pretty fun. The colors, the details, and the pop culture references kept me entertained while my son liked "everything!"
After, we headed home and I found him this game. He's played several times. So have I.
Yesterday he wanted to go to the zoo with me and the Smashes. I asked him to make a list of the animals he wanted to see. I figured it would take him at least ten minutes to make his list. Nooooo. Twenty seconds later he approached me and said, "my list is done." I asked how it could be done and he handed it to me. It read, "ALL."
That kid is going to kill me. He's ambitious!
Knowing that there was no way to see all the animals in one trip, I asked him to write down 3-5 animals instead. He chose three. Sea lions, pandas, and "lizerds."
Slightly overcast and a little chilly, it was a great day. We met the Smashes at the zoo and we headed in. Smash was somehow talked into placing Little Dude on his shoulders, which I tried to discourage, but boys will be boys and they did what they wanted. Mrs. Smash and I just looked at each other and sighed.
"Lizerds" - check!
Sea lions - check!
Pandas - LD passed after he saw the line. We tried to talk him into it, but he declined. Oh well, another day.
Following the zoo, we met up with my family and the Smashes at a local eatery, where we ate our dinner (LD's dinner courtesy of another donor - Thank You!), opened presents, and dug into the birthday cake. It was a good day, one that Little Dude proclaimed "awesome!" That's all I wanted to hear.
I dropped him at his dad's house after that. Big hugs and kisses, he smiled and thanked me. I gave him a quick swat to the butt and he laughed. "You only get to give me one of those, Mom. I'm not falling for that 'birthday spanking' thing anymore." Another kiss and he was gone.
Eight years ago, my Little Dude entered into this world. It was a difficult pregnancy - hyperemesis the entire time, pre-term labor began at 21 weeks, followed by months of terbutaline, bed rest, and frequent trips to the doctor and/or hospital for those occasions when the medication couldn't control the contractions. He arrived three weeks early. Nine pounds, five ounces. 21 inches long. And, due to poor oxygenation, he won himself a couple of days in the NICU. A few scares once he came home, but he was otherwise fine. And he has continued to grow like a weed ever since.
There have been some interesting moments in our parent/child interactions. Each and every one of those moments has given me the opportunity to learn and grow, as a parent and as a person. He's brought much joy to my life and I'm so glad I'm his mom.
He's a good boy, a smart boy, and I love him very, very much.
Happy Birthday, Little Dude! Mommy loves you!
Posted by DaGoddess at October 3, 2004 03:19 AMHappy Birthday Little Dude. Many happy returns!
Posted by: Rae at October 4, 2004 04:31 AMHappy Birthday, Mom.
Posted by: Howard McEwen at October 4, 2004 05:02 AMThis made my day. Thanks J.
Posted by: PCD at October 4, 2004 05:27 AMHappy Birthday Little Dude, and many, many more!!!
And Mom, don't you find it hard to look at him now, and try to picture him curled up in a ball in your tummy? I look at Gretel sometimes, and cant' believe almost 9 years ago she was only 6 lbs, 10 ozs inside of me.
Lord, how time flies!!!
MB
Posted by: Madame Butterfly at October 4, 2004 06:03 AMHappy Birthday, Little Dude!
I agree, having children, growing as a person and parent, it is the best.
My babies are 27 and 30 now. I'm still growing as a person and as a parent to adult children and now I'm a Grandma! Looking back and looking forward I can't pick the best year, they are all the best.
My best birthday wishes to your son and to you.
Posted by: BeeBee at October 4, 2004 07:22 AMHappy Birthday to Little Dude!!
When we talked, I failed to mention that David (my oldest) had the big #19 on Saturday! We actually had enough done at the new shop to play instead of work...
Hugs all around...
Peace...PJ
Posted by: PJ at October 4, 2004 07:30 AMHappy "Birth"day, Mom and many more happy days to litle dude! Can't believe how fast they grow and how grown up they can be in a matter of days. Love to you both! When I come out there, I want to see the whales, the pandas, the elephants and ALL of it. I guess I'm just an oversized kid. Kitty
Posted by: k.Mason at October 4, 2004 07:54 AMHappy Birthday LD and J!! Sounds like ya'll had a wonderful day - well deserved.
Posted by: Tammi at October 4, 2004 09:25 AMSay 'Happy B-Day' to LD for me!
Posted by: Mad Mikey at October 4, 2004 09:56 AMHappy birthday, Little Dude. Hope you have many, many more.
And thank you, Joanie, for blessing the world with this great little kid!!
Happy Birthday, LD!
DG, as a former resident of SD, take my advice: Once you're employed again, if you can manage it, buy an annual membership to the zoo. One pop and you have entertainment that lasts a year. We did it, and then later in the year, when we were borke, we'd have something to do that didn't cost a dime. Plus, when you can go every weekend if you so choose, you can spend just a couple of hours and focus on one section of the zoo per visit, instead of trying to cram it all in to one day.
Posted by: Brian B at October 4, 2004 10:43 AMer broke, not borke
Posted by: Brian B at October 4, 2004 10:44 AMHappy Birthday!!! Kids. Heh. They're just the best!
Posted by: Michael at October 4, 2004 12:44 PMAwww....My oldest turned 19 yesterday and she chose to celebrate the day by being baptised. I know, I know...that's sort of a unique approach but totally her. I've had a lump in my throat on her birthday before but yesterday it was a record sized softball. Call me a sap, but I got that lump in my throat when you paused to reflect over the past 8 years with your son. Hang on. The ride accelerates to warp speed in the blink of an eye.
Posted by: Susie T. at October 4, 2004 12:57 PMBrian, we both have memberships for the Zoological Society. It's the only way to go!
It was the first thing I bought after I'd returned to work this summer and had a little extra to spend. It's a very worthy investment! We go so frequently, it pays for itself in a month.
Posted by: Da Goddess at October 4, 2004 01:19 PMAbsolutely.
Have you watched the bat exhibit at night? Very cool.
Posted by: Brian B at October 4, 2004 02:48 PMLittle Dude, you are da man! Happy Birthday!
Posted by: Phil Bowermaster at October 4, 2004 02:58 PMHappy Birthday Little Dude!
wishing many, many happy returns. May all you happy wishes be granted, and may the next year see you happy, healthy and loved. Much laughter and giggles!
Posted by: munin at October 4, 2004 03:27 PMHappy Birthday to the Little Dude. Enjoy him now. When he grows up, you'll be lost.
(Now if we could just lose CK, we'll be set.)
Really! Enjoy his childness. It'll keep you young.
Happy Birthday to the Young Feller!
Posted by: Jim - Parkway Rest Stop at October 4, 2004 06:21 PMHappiest Happy Happy Birthday, Little Dude!!! Eight is a magic number... just ask the Magic 8-Ball!
Posted by: inkgrrl at October 4, 2004 09:16 PMHappy (late) Birthday, Little Dude! All the coolest people are born in October, you know.
Posted by: rita at October 5, 2004 05:23 AMHappy B-Day little Dude.
Posted by: Sledge at October 5, 2004 06:24 AMHappy Belated Birthday Little Dude! (Sorry I'm late!)
Posted by: yayaempress at October 5, 2004 06:51 AM