Iveyrock

Ian has been asking for his very own pet for awhile now. We tried to convince him that the cats could be his pet, but that wasn’t what he had in mind. He wanted a pet that was just his.

So we went to the pet store, and he used his own money to buy a pet that is JUST his. After looking at all of his options, he choose a blue and red Betta.

He has named his Betta “Ian.” He had explained to us that if we want him, we should call for “Ian Person”, and if we want the fish, we should call for “Ian Fish.” That way there won’t be any confusion. In case we forget, and don’t add the qualifier on the end, his plan is to go get the fish and then come – so that all the bases are covered.

Ian seems really pleased with his choice. He’s spent some time talking to his fish, and making introductions. He’s been watching him all day, and even ate his lunch at the island, so he could watch the fish. I think Ian the Fish will fit in beautifully at our house… and I am interested to see what the future holds, now that we’ve opened the possibility of pets.

It is just pure fun to watch Micah as he grows. I am fascinated by him, and startled almost daily by how much he is thinking like a toddler, instead of an infant.

Just in the last couple of weeks, he has started to really play with his big brother and sister. Instead of orbiting them, and observing, he wants to be right in the middle. He wrestles, he climbs, he pushes cars around the floor. He isn’t content to be distracted; he wants to be one of the big kids.

He likes to ‘read’ books, and help me with my chores. He is very good at putting things away – the trick is to make sure he puts away the right things, in the right box. Not, for example, the clean laundry into the full bathtub. His favorite chore is sweeping, and he doesn’t want to just hold the broom anymore. He wants to swish it around, right in my pile of dirt. He gets very offended if he’s moved anywhere else.

He has discovered climbing, and he loves to get up on something, and laugh until I get him back down. If I don’t come get him fast enough, he yells for me.

He is a funny, happy, sweet little boy. He loves to cuddle. He isn’t talking yet, but he has a soft little babble that I love.

This last year, he has been my companion on this journey to take life as it comes, and not miss the little moments. He has shown me, more than anything else, what I am striving for; and he has continually jolted me out of my worry and over-thinking by the everyday, amazing things that he does.

He loves my singing. He likes it even better when we ’sing’ together. What more could a mama want?

This year with you has been wonderful. You live life with such curiousity, and find joy in every situation. Everything you do, you do with sweet intensity. I love you, and I am very proud of you.