ingrid

It is always an adventure welcoming these kids into your life.  A birthday for a little one is almost more of a marker for the parents than for the child.  Zephyr is thrilled with his new presents while I am reflecting on the last few years and getting accustomed to this new person in my life.  

I was afraid to have a boy.  I didn’t know anything about boys and wasn’t sure how I would mesh with a little man in my life.  I didn’t have any brothers to reflect on, and I worried about the (pardon me here, but there is no better phrase!) assholes in the world, who generally seemed of the male persuasion.  How do I keep a son from becoming one?  

All these worries seem to be for naught though.  Zephyr is nothing if not sweet, and like his name, is a soft and gentle wind in my life.  He is indeed a capable little person, but is also kind and silly, amiable and easy-going.  He falls down a lot, he smiles really big, he is loving and a great nap partner.

Here are some of my photographic memories of these last 3 years:

Zephyr was born at Alma Midwifery Birth Center in Portland.  It took forever.  At the beginning of the labor, I could hear another woman laboring next door, screaming a bit, throwing up a bit, and I felt cocky and overly confident.  ”That won’t be ME!”.  The midwives said the other woman was a first time mother, so I thought of myself as a pro.  ”You’ll have this kid by lunch time.”  Sort of.  Labor was excruciating.  Zephyr had about a 4 inch umbilical cord and slowly ripped it off the uterine wall during labor.  It was a blood bath.  Not pretty, but at the end all was good.  Brad was in shock and remained full of tears and horror for a bit, but once I saw this smooshed little red face, I was instantly comforted and in love.  He was fat and strong and vigorous, everything you look for in a baby!

Zephyr was the easiest baby.  At six months he was a good sleeper, flexible, funny, somewhat self-entertaining…. really the easiest kid.  

Zephyr had an awesome sleep schedule, which largely continues to this day.  The kid is out by 7pm and sleeps like a champ until 7am.  Round about noon or so, he can sleep another 3 hours.  I love it.  Zephyr became my number one nap partner.
At one, Zephyr is a chunky little smiley kid.  He loves to be around his sister and her preschool class.  He races to play with the toys and just be with the big kids.  He has an infectious giggle.  He starts scrunching his nose as he smiles.  He is not very coordinated.  He is slow to learn to walk and once he does, he starts a two year campaign of falling.  People in our neighborhood or at school say, “That kid NEVER cries!”, which is not quite true, but almost.

At two Zephyr has become a bit more introspective (although he still flings himself headlong into dangerous situations).  He slims out, although it is hard to believe what with that strawberry shortcake his parents keep feeding him!  He is charming and sweet and fairly cooperative.  He is kind to his sister, talkative, shows great rhythmic abilities with the drums, and can sing any song back after hearing it only once.  He still falls a lot.

And that brings us to this week.  Zephyr turned three (yesterday).  We woke up early to do a birthday breakfast as it seemed that Brad would have to work late.  6am had us opening presents and eating the food that Zephyr likes best— a puffed oven pancake.  

At three Zephyr is interested in being with “the pack”.  He is an independent kid, not too worried about being away from mom and dad as long as Francis and Dog are nearby.  He is finally a better walker and can even run for a bit, but he is somewhat sedentary by nature.  He likes to ride in the car and never seems tired of sitting in his car seat.  He also likes to sit and “read” books by himself.  He likes music a lot and can entertain himself for a long time with playing drums or piano.  He still has an impressive command of lyrics.  He loves pointing out flowers, especially flowering plums which he calls “the purple ones!”.  He is still a good napper and has become cooperative enough about napping that he can even put himself to bed.  He is finally out of diapers!  (Thank the LORD!), and he can mostly dress himself.  I think he is smart, although his reasoning skills are a bit immature.  He is social and charming.  He loves going to religion class once a week (Atrium), and also accompanying his older sister on her many outings.  Zephyr is kind with his siblings and gentle with babies.  He is enthusiastic about his baby sister Inez.

It has been a very good year.

In: Defies Categorization, family, My super freakin' cute kids | | #