I was digging through the garage yesterday looking for some pots for the entirely too many plants I bought, and came across our stroller. Our Jeep stroller that we purchased back in 2005 for Tyler. It was quite the stroller back then, one of the first models that had 3 wheels. It was cool.
"How did it end up hidden in the corner of the storage area in the garage?", I thought to myself. "When did we put it there?"
I assume that during Kyle's cleaning escapade of the garage last fall (I do not recommend being present for one of those - it ain't pretty), that it ended up there. I actually don't remember the last time we used it, and I think that is what shocked me the most. Isn't using a stroller something you realize, and are conscious of? How did I miss that one?
Then I started to think of all the other things I have forgotten about with the kids. I forgot what our living room would look like on a Saturday morning, with the exersaucer and bouncy seat, and toys everywhere. I had forgotten about the burp rags thrown all over, and the multitudes of bottles in the dishwasher. While that is going on, you don't realize how much of your life it really is. Now that it isn't there, I can't say I really "miss" it (the mess that is), but it just means the boys are growing up so fast.
Connor will be three tomorrow! (Already!) And he has just grown up to be such a big boy. Although he's still my baby, that kid can pack a punch - or I should say "pinch", as that is what he does when he's mad. And Holy Cow - it hurts. That same sweetheart sang himself to sleep last night. Kyle and I could recognize "We Will Rock You", "Imma Be" and "Bad Boys" (yes, the Cops theme). We just giggled and giggled to ourselves as we listened to him. Hey - if that's what helps him get to sleep, so be it.
Tonight Tyler didn't quite want to go to bed. The same boy that I used to rock with (before there were two) for hours. The same boy that I used to fall asleep in the rocking chair with almost nightly when I was pregnant with Connor and ready for bed at 8pm myself. I watched that boy put himself to sleep tonight.
Tyler had been in his room tossing and turning, coming out of his room, laying sideways, taking off his clothes, etc. I went in there for one last time, and told him what I usually tell him, "Okay, Tyler, goodnight. You have to stay in bed now, or I'm going to turn out your light and shut the door." (He likes to go to bed with the light on and door open.) That usually does the trick, so I usually save it for last.
I then went into the bathroom and just watched. His eyes had been getting heavy, and sometimes I just watch him because he's amazing. Of course he is, he's my oldest son.
I peeked around the corner, and watched him look around the room. His blinks getting slower and slower, until they almost looked like they were in slow motion. I watched him hold his little stuffed leopard in his hand, his eyes slowing wandering around the room. I wondered what he was thinking, but with Tyler, you never know. It could be about what he ate at school today, or a ninja fight. Take your pick.
Both boys have grown up so fast, some days I feel as if I just can't drink them in fast enough. I watch them and just stare, and people probably think I'm crazy. I'm just so in love with those stinkers. They have created a whole new world for me that I never thought was possible. A whole new set of priorities for my stubborn self, and a whole new life for two people who said no one would ever rock their world.
And to think, with Connor's singing, he did just that last night. :-)
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