From a Pebble to a Stone: February 2013

Sam is 28 months old today!

I'm reflecting on how boring my blogs are anymore. My posts used to be: "What's happening with adoptions globally?", "Will we get a call?", "Woe is me! The waiting is so hard!". I had witty titles, linked to stuff, and shared deep thoughts and emotions. Now, I'm just pretty much documenting life for Sam, keeping family and friends in the loop, and, well, it's pretty boring stuff. I got a baby, cut my hair off and quit my blog. Such is the life of the mom of a toddler.

Here's a bit of what's going on right now, Sam:

The nickname "porkhop" doesn't make much sense anymore for you, baby, cause you're getting long and lean! You're still little, but no longer shaped like a pork chop...you're thinning out and growing up!
We learned you need glasses which we're getting this week. We're amazed that, despite being VERY far-sighted, you love to read, and know your colors, most of your numbers and letters already!
Speaking of reading - you recite many of your books with us (probably 20 or so...) as we read them. We love that you love to read, as it's our only (relatively) quiet time together.
You have a memory like an elephant. (See above on reciting books...)
You are OBSESSIVE about cars, trains, airplanes and ask at least 10 times a day "if we are going to the airport?" I am not exaggerating here. (I got to take the corporate jet back from a meeting in Orlando a few weeks ago, and Sam's now convinced mommy has her own plane.)
You are still pretty much the same guy we met a bit over a year ago. You're funny, chirpy (you never, ever shut up), curious, silly, smiley and don't like to be away from us. Ever.
No doubt, parenting is hard. You're a busy guy with lots of emotions. You didn't get 500,000 impressions of a mama rocking you and helping soothe you in your first year - and so you have trouble regulating and calming. And this, my baby, breaks my heart beyond what words can describe. I'm trying to help you. I want to help you. I don't know how to help you sometimes. I hurt for you.
Now that you're over 2 - we get the joy of experiencing just how "strong" a little soul you are. (I called it from the first referral pic where you were staring down the camera at 5 months. Kindred spirits, I think...)
You get angry. Often. You scream, and you can brew up huge tears in mili-seconds. Therefore any incident has you looking, within the 30 seconds it takes you to calm down, like you've been crying for 30 minutes and we've been beating you. You look pathetic, bottom lip quivering, soaked face and drenched shirt. Snot everywhere. And all because either mama picked up the wrong train, tried to make you share the soccer ball, suggested it's time to wash your hands, the doggie picked up the ball or the word "nap", "diaper" or "toothbrush" is mentioned in any way, shape or form. And God forbid we leave the park. Brutal.
Having said that, you're like your mama - usually quick to heat up and quick to cool down. (But seriously? Please, please, please stop screaming NO! about everything. I know this is a phase, but I don't like it. One bit.)
You're starting to sing which is c-u-t-e!!
And even cuter, you like to hold your stuffed animals up and mimic playing puppets with them. Usually you pick up boo bear, who you hold facing you, wobbling his head and as if he's asking you a question: "want to go to airport?" - to which you answer: "OK BOO BEAR!!" Giggle giggle.
You're a great sleeper, although naps are getting later and harder to get you down. You still need to be rocked to sleep for your nap or you just plain won't got down.
You sleep all night unless you're sick. usually 8-7. Awesome.
You wake up happy. Lately you've been waking up from a nap to tell us "nice nap!" before we can ask.
You're getting braver with food. You still take it out of your mouth and throw it at my head. You still avoid veggies at all costs. But we're tricking you since mama's doing a juice cleanse, you're getting cucumber, spinach, beet and other veggies in with your "apple juice. Tee hee.
You are settling into us, as we are you.
We truly do love you move each day.