Yesterday we headed to the library. Outside of the library in Mill Creek they have recently updated their play structure, so the plan was for me to run into the library, grab my books on hold and head out to the park. Sure enough, when we got there, Jude started hollering for the park, so imagine my surprise when I was headed out of the library with my books and ran into Bradley and the boy! He wanted to check out some books and that need usurped his wish for a park trip!

After we all had our books checked out, we were headed back out to the car when Jude again asked to go to the park. He ran over to the bench near the play structure, sat down and opened his book. He madly perused the pages of a Star Wars comic book, completely ignoring the slide and climbers in front of him.

All along, ever since we saw that wild little boy in utero bouncing from side to side at 12 weeks, we’ve had a beastie to tame. We try to work patiently with him to learn the ways of the world: keep your volume low around people, avoid screaming, stay with Mama and Daddy, don’t holler in other kids’ faces when they have something you want, hands are not for hitting… We are working on touching, kissing and hugging with him, as he often is satisfied to go without. Lately, we are beginning to see the dividends of our attention and his maturity. He has decided that he wants to “be nice” (his words, not ours) to other kids and to us. His little hits and kicks are now followed by a gentle touch and ‘sowee’ (sorry) if he is not able to control himself and stop the hit or kick altogether. His volume has been turned down a notch and he is more willing to hold a hand instead of run away. We no longer go days without a willing kiss from Jude, and he has even started doing this cute little nuzzle thing where he puts the top of his head on your temple or chin and rubs it back and forth. We are beginning to find some common ground, and it is welcome!

This trip to the library was symbolic of the growth that we’ve been seeing. Instead of running like that wild boy, he surprised us with his enthusiastic dedication to reading, while a big toy was right in front of him! I have loved this boy from the moment he made his presence known, through sleepless nights, tantrums, endless nursing, wild park runs, escapes out the windows and the myriad of scrapes and fumbles he has made during his brief presence in our family, and I am falling deeper and deeper as he starts to show me who he really is: a kind, caring boy with a penchant for reading at the park.


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