Dusk

Last night I was laying in bed nursing Monkey, it was right before his bedtime.

The shade in the bedroom was mostly drawn, allowing just enough light into the bedroom to create a soft and dreamy feel.

As I lay there cradling Monkey in my arm, I was struck by just how big he has gotten.  Today he turns 11 weeks old.  Where has the time gone, it seems just like yesterday we were wondering if he was ever going to come.

That being said if the last 11 weeks have flown by, how would I describe the last 7 years since Turkey was born.  Words can't seem to do justice, it's like it flew by but at the same time it crept by.  A good reminder to make sure every day means something.

Having a 7 Year Old Means

Having a 7 year-old means...

• finding cupcake wrappers on your bathroom floor
• finding Lego pieces just about everywhere - the laundry, your purse, the freezer
• creating box forts for the 7 year-old to sleep in for weeks on end
• constant reminders for hygiene - wash your face, arms, brush your teeth, wipe your butt
• being surprised when they take a shower completely on their own, without you asking
• some nights reading stories to them
• other nights having them read stories to you
• crazy outfits - just because (and taking a picture because they think they look good)
• giving back rubs - several times a day
• constantly helping find something that is right under their nose
• preparing for his Cub Scout meeting - because you just "have" to be the leader
• rock collections - and him washing the rocks in your bathroom sink
• learning how to ride a bike - even if it still has training wheels
• finding things taken apart and little screws, springs, washers all over his bedroom floor
• video games - that he'll play alone or except you to play with him and except you to be good at
• wondering how his t-shirt ended up in the freezer
• tripping over just about every toy you could ever imagine
• hearing more and more about Legos and Starwars and Lego Starwars then you ever thought possible, and feigning interest
• getting bouquets of dandelions (even if they do make you sneeze) because they are beautiful
• teaching them how to make the perfect snowball and snowball fights
• means killing bugs for the 7 year-old because stinkbugs and ladybugs are scary
• watching info-mercials with them, because sometimes that's the best thing on TV they want to watch
• sometimes not getting hugs and kisses before they leave, because girls have cooties
• and it means sometimes getting "the world's biggest hug" just because you're the mom

Please note - actual results may very.  Your seven year old may differ.