Tristan - Day 476

Tristan is coming up on 16 months old and he is quite the fearless and energetic boy. He is also very, very determined. In fact, if I had to pick only two words to describe Tristan right now, I would choose fearless and determined. He is quite the climber and is on top of anything and everything he can pull himself up onto, which are increasingly high locations.

He LOVES to push things, especially the laundry basket. He will push the laundry basket up and down the hallway with glee. Almost anything that can be slid can end up taking a trip with a determined toddler leaning into one side. He is quite adept at maneuvering out of corners, replete with grunting and heavy breathing!

Tristan loves books these days and brings books to use constantly! Often he will walk up to me or Maranda with a book, turn around several steps away, back up and plop down holding the book up for us to read (which is followed by an insistent "uh uh uh" if we don't comply!). His favorite book has a picture of a butterfly on one page. Maranda showed him how to make a butterfly with your hands and every time he sees that page he gets a huge grin and clasps his hands together moving them in and out in wing motions.

Probably my favorite thing about Tristan is that he is a snuggler! His older brother was always hard to catch still, so extended snuggling sessions were sometimes hard to come by. Tristan loves to snuggle and since he was very small will lay his face against your neck or shoulder and press his little body in tight!

Morality and Existential Thinking @ 4

Kieran continues to surprise me with his awareness and thoughtfulness about life. Several times recently he has lain in bed with me at night after turning off the light and told me that he wishes grandpas could become Daddies again and that Daddies would never get old. When I ask him why he wishes Grandpas could become Daddies again he tells me that he wishes no one would ever die.

In moments like these I don't know what to say except what I am feeling as well, so I say back, I wish people didn't die too. I reassure him that death is natural and not to be feared, and that it takes a very long time for a person to get old and die. It is just so surprising that he continues to think about such deep issues at four years old, I don't know whether to be happy or really sad at this... I mean, I think it is amazing and show tremendous awareness, but every kid needs a carefree childhood, I don't want my boy to end up pensive and anxious....

I am also surprised by his ethical convictions. For example, the other night at the parent torture that is know as "Chuck e Cheese" I brought Kieran up to a game that already had some tickets sticking out but not claimed by the previous player. He had been looking up at the screen as we approached so I didn't think he saw them. It was a difficult game and he only one two tickets. Normally this would frustrate him as he likes to do well, but I was hoping the "extra" tickets would surprise and please him. At the end of the game I said "Look at all those tickets!" Kieran paused, and then without a word reached down, ripped off the tickets, and took the two most recent tickets off the end, leaving the rest on the ground. I asked him why he didn't take all of the tickets and he responded that those were someone else's. Despite my explanation that the last kid didn't want them, I ended up the one pocketing the tickets.

Kieran continually reminds me that children are a gift and a constant surprise, even as our heart aches for them when they are sad or when they struggle to succeed.

First Signs of Spring

Shots from our front yard, covered by snow only two weeks ago.