Ma will probably be telling you about this at some point, Norm, so I thought I'd jump the gun. Let me preface this by saying I don't know anything about kids, really. I've never spent that much time around them, and I'm confident enough in my interpersonal skills otherwise to admit that.
Also, I'm a lagger. And the Decemberween gifts are just chillin' here on the table, and I hadn't sent them because I was sure that Liz and I were going to make a trip, and then I got busy...you of all people know how it is.
But I had stuff wrapped and in boxes and I thought about giving something special to Norman, so I pulled down a box of gear you and Dan marked "Mop's Toys" and started rummaging.
Later on I was on the phone with ma for an unrelated reason, and then brought up a question about appropriate toys for the boy, but more along the lines of, "Would they be cool with this type of toy?"
She said, with that famous what in the hell are you talkin' about voice, "He's not even two years old," like I was a moron.
And, uh, I am a moron, I guess. I didn't even think about him being such a little person, a tiny rambunctious little creature. I had action figures, like an old Han Solo guy and a hairy He-Man villain and a glow in the dark dinosaur and a little Hot-Wheels Ferrari 308 GTB (the car looks pretty cool--I'll save it for him for later).
It never occurred to me that his age would make him likely to try and swallow the Ferrari or Han Solo. What can I say besides I don't really know anything about kids.
It also makes me excited to be getting closer to that adventure.
I hope you realize how much Uncle Pat loves his nephew, right? I think my heart was in the right place...
(I'm still having a laugh about it.)
"Closer to that adventure," should I be looking into that as much as I am??
ReplyDeleteAnyhow, we know you love Norman. And your heart is in the right place, but your head is too, sort of.
For as much experience as I have had with small humans, none of it could prepare me for the unique experience with Norman.
He only put things in his mouth while he was teething, and that was quite some time ago. The whole choking hazard thing has barely been an issue for us.
This dude has a vocabulary only stunted by his lack of hearing every word in the english language verbalized. He sings his A B C already.
I hate to feel like I'm bragging on my offspring, because we have all experienced those type of parents, but his development so far has been commented on by so many people I can't ignore it.
As far as action figures and hotwheels are concerned, it would be more realistic to his situation to think he may not have interest in those things just yet. He digs the larger truck type hotwheels that have a mechanism inside the rear wheels that gives them more power when you run them over the ground a few times. But as far as teddy bears, dolls, etc. he doesn't seem to have much extended interest in those things...yet at least.
In conclusion, as funny as it may seem that you 'jumped the gun' you really aren't far from the mark!! I'm still a firm believer that nobody can give you a leg up on what experience you will have with your child. Of course there is lots of advice and help available, but as it happens, it's a personal affair.
It is hands down the best thing to happen in my life so far. There is a feeling, an emotion, a magic if you will that cannot be fully related in words or actions even. It is intensely spiritual and beautiful.
I hope you and I can talk more about this soon!
Love you brother.
"Closer to that adventure" isn't a declaration. Please know, brother, that if we're preggers you're hearing about from my mouth on the phone or in person (if that's how it works out), and not reading it on a post. But, from as recently as twelve months ago (when we left for Honduras) our outlook has changed. Robot Crickets probably has more sway over that than it should.
ReplyDeleteI have my first book signing on Saturday, 2/23. I've been talking to as many small business owners as will listen, telling them all that the others are coming, and everyone seems excited. Who knows how many folks will show up. It may just be me and Corrie and Lizzie getting drunk with Bobbi.
I'll mail you a poster...
I might need a few days on "Bleeding Edge"...there''s probably someone in or near Venice Beach who knows something for certain about the gist of the book...
I was really trying to say something about Norman and you and babies in your life and learning, but I had to take Tux to an emergency late-night clinic because he got a 3/4" long piece of chicken bone lodged vertically in his tracheal opening, and then I had some of Auntie Peg and Uncle Dan's gift to Corrie (Patron) to calm myself and messed up my original response idea.
ReplyDeleteI might remember later...