Five.

Theo is turning five tomorrow! (!!)

Poor Theo...the second year in a row I have neglected to make him a slideshow for his birthday. Good thing he doesn't care.

I love the boy Theo is becoming. He is so much like me, and yet not. He is a complete enigma most of the time but I get these glimpses where I think, "I know you. I know you."


Sometimes we butt heads. I have to force myself not to think about what his teenage years could be like if I don't learn when to back off. I make myself remember how much I love him and how much he needs me to understand him. For three-plus years of his life he didn't really talk. It's still hard to communicate sometimes. Some things that most 4- and 5-year-olds--even 3-year-olds--say or do, are very difficult for him to say or do. Also he is obsessive and yes, compulsive. (hm, where did he get that from?) Combine that with a day I'm short on patience and we get fireworks.

Most of the time, he is so freaking awesome. My favorite thing he does lately is the Excited Gasp. I'll ask him if he wants to eat string cheese, or go in the backyard, or get Lars a binky, or pretty much anything, and he'll raise his eyebrows, gasp in delight and say, "Oh, okay!!" I love it so much. Another thing I love is "...or not?" When he wants something, he doesn't just ask for it, he says almost sheepishly, "Can I have a cookie, or not?" "Can we watch a show, or not?" I love that he is starting to accept the possibility that "no" could be an answer.

This past Sunday was kind of crazy because Matt wasn't feeling well and I was attempting to get everyone ready for church by myself. When I got out of the shower, Theo was dressed and playing in his room. I asked him to brush his teeth. He said, "No, I'm playing with this right now." I said, "You can brush your teeth first, and then play with that second." He said, "I can play with this first, and brush my teeth second." I asked him, "Do you want to be obedient, or not? You get to choose." He thought about it seriously for about 5 full seconds. Then he said, "I want to be obedient." He went to the bathroom and brushed his teeth and I thought I might fall over from the shock and the thrill that he weighed his options and made a good choice that he didn't initially want to make. So this is what motherhood can be like sometimes!

Here's a short trip down blog-memory lane...I'm remembering myself remembering Theo.

4: most dreamy-eyed
3: bona fide preschooler
2: "such a dear little boy"
1: exactly zero appointments
0: one very little boy

I am so glad Theo is my first child. We had such a wonderful first year all alone together every day, doing basically whatever we wanted to do. Obviously it has been wonderful since then too, but I am lucky I got to spend so much time with him when it was just the two of us. I love that he has afternoon preschool so that he and I get to hang out when Ida is in joy school and Lars is napping. I am so glad he is quick to forgive, quick to hug and quick to say, "Oh, okay!!"

Happy birthday, dear Theo! I'll make your slideshow! Even if you're almost 6 by then.