Friday April 18, 2008
My son is four. Apparently I am an atypical mom. I haven’t once thought, “I can’t believe he’s four,” although I think I remember doing that at his first birthday.
I love this age. I loved three, too, for that matter. Even though Adam did his terrible twos long before he turned two, there is something about three that is magically more grown up. And four is just a step better. At his annual well-child check-up Thursday his pediatrician was asking me about some of the concerns I’d mentioned last year. I’d almost forgotten them. “You know,” I said, “he’s just really a much more well-rounded kid anymore.” And he really is. Especially in the last few months he’s trying to do more grown-up things … like eating vegetables and emptying the dishwasher and getting himself dressed. Now, if only he could learn to eat without making such a mess at the table (when does that happen?).
We celebrated his birthday by inviting both our extended families for supper and the evening. Hopefully someday Adam will appreciate how lucky he is to have his grandparents and all his cousins except Zachary close enough to do this sort of thing. We girls grew up with no extended family less then eight hours away. I never knew my grandparents in the same way Adam knows his. And though we loved our families and had a lot of fun with them, I distinctly remember feeling very shy the first part of every encounter with my cousins. Now, I love watching Adam race to see his cousins and yell, “HI!” in that, “I’m so glad to see you,” tone.
Mom spent the whole day with us and we had a delightful, relaxing day … fixing food for the party, reading stories, playing truck, and talking. I was so glad she was here. It’s just so nice not to do that “stress out, fly around, am I going to get it all done” thing until you create a cranky little person and afterwards you wonder if you took more away from them then you gave.
Monday night I gave Adam his first short hair-cut ever. I’ve always loved his hair and could never bear to cut it down short. He gets so hot and sweaty in the summer-time and somehow, this year I was ready. Plus, with a new baby, I didn’t think I’d mind giving one less hair cut for awhile. He was so excited about having “short hair.” He looks completely different. Poor Lawrence came flying the door for the party and tore around the corner saying, “A’am, A’am, A’am.” He walked right past Adam without recognizing him. Even when Adam came and talked to him, he still looked bewildered, checking out all the Beachy strangers in the living room and, a little quieter now, “A’am?” Soon I heard him upstairs, “A’am, A’am, A’am?” I felt so sorry for him. But after playing together for awhile, he seemed to know it really was Adam, just a different version of him.
I haven’t missed his hair … yet. He’s definitely cuter with long hair in that looking grown-up way of his. But I love how his head feels when I kiss him and how endearingly “little boyish” (don’t tell him that!) he looks. I get this nostalgic, innocent, “I’m still a little boy instead of a big man” feeling when I look at him. Oddly enough, he’s declared himself to be “Adam” more instead of insisting he’s actually David Lee. Probably in part because we keep asking where Adam went to. He loves when people ask if his mom is babysitting!
I definately hope that Adam will appreciate knowing all his grandparents and most of his cousins so well!! I never did… and besides, I only have one first cousin. Well, I do have a ton of 2nd cousins, but I never felt like I knew them very well… Love that cake, btw!!
Enjoyed your pics. In my mind I went back through the years to all the visits in SC, then in VA. I’m sorry but I can’t find an image of a “shy” you when the boys arrived. You must’ve hid it very well. Thanks for prompting that trip down memory lane though, it was fun. You’re a very good mom. I’m proud to be your uncle and I wish I’d update 1/10th as often as you do. Blessings!
It is amazing how a hair cut can make such a difference. I loved his long hair too, but understand too well about it being easier with short. And that is why my little guys have short hair cuts. What an adorable cake!! He looks so pleased in the first picture looking at it!!
And the view out of that big window where your mom is sitting… How do you ever get anything done? I would probly have a rocking chair turned around right there… It looks just gorgeous!!!
O my goodness Michelle, it doesn’t even look like Adam. I think I like it! He’s still cute
Happy Birthday, Adam.
Hmm, Adam certainally looks different. But I always thought long hair looks so uncomfortable on little boys, esp. during the summer. And my son is due for a short cut again.
And Happy Birthday to him! Looks like he got a pile of gifts to occupy him. Being the mother of a four-yr-old is fun. They can be so grown-up sometimes, then a bit baby-ish at time. You can reason with them, hold grown-up conversations, and answer many questions!
Frog and toad books? Auralie is “reading” that book to me this morning while I’m on the computer…..
We both like it. I think she was reading “Frog and Toad are Friends.”
happy birthday, adam!
i love your house!
Happy Birthday, Adam! It’s amazing what a difference a haircut can make!!
Looks like a great party. The cake is really cute, and Trevor was especially exclaiming over it.
Also, I would echo what you said about it being a privilege to grow up living close to grandparents & cousins – we didn’t have that either.
I checked my e-mail, saw you had updated your site and just HAD to check out the “new” Adam! He does look different and quite grown up. Nice looking cake too! Compliments of you?
Cee-ute cake! My 4 year old son saw the cake and was like- Moooommmm! When is my birthday so I can have a cake just like that? Happy birthday to your 4 year old. I like short hair too. Less to wash and longer till hair cut time.
What a cute cake! A shorter haircut does change Adam’s looks – don’t worry, he’s still a handsome little guy. I’ve thought about letting Chadwick’s hair grow a bit longer than he usually wears them, but he soon looks more like a mop-head than something cute, and shorter hair is easier to care for, so he usually gets a short cut.
Aw, Michelle, it’s gonna take something for me to adjust to the new haircut! I think I’ll be walking through the house asking for Adam, too. I am so jealous of the chef’s hat? I’ve been keeping an eye open for one for awhile. That’s a really cool gift. I’m sure he loved it.
Hi, Missing ya, seems like awhile since I’ve seen ya. Hope your doing okay.
The haircut definetly makes Adam look a bit older which probably pleases him
I love your picture window. Looks like you have quite a view! I’m with damys, I’d have a chair turned there just for the joy of looking out. 🙂 I think Adam’s haircut makes him look more like a little boy than the long hair did. He’s cute either way. Looking forward to baby pictures!!
Wow Adam sure looks different. I like long hair for the winter months but once it starts to get warm I like to cut Shane’s hair real short. 🙂 Absolutely loved his cake ………. did you make it ???? Yeah you are right we are doing alot of traveling and I am just praying that Ian will do wonderful on our Europe trip so I can fully enjoy it. 🙂 I do know that I will have lots of help with Ian. Some of the girls have already informed me of that. 🙂 I might have to let Ian sleep with them as well. 🙂 🙂 Can’t wait to hear your baby news ………..although we will likely be gone when you do have the baby. Hope your l&d goes well for you.
love the cake!