He’s quickly leaving the toddler world behind and so super, crazy fast becoming a boy — a full-on likes-to-wrestle, loves-He-man, so-excited-to-try-new-things, busy, sweet, caring, goofy boy.  I love seeing things thru his eyes, and even more, I love how his pure enthusiasm for the littlest things forces me to slow down and enjoy ‘em right along with him. 

Our 1.5 year old is such a happy kid.  Unless he’s not happy, and then he’s downright crazy, losing-his-mind mad.  Tossing food off his high chair when he’s finished eating…or when he’s less than impressed with what’s been offered to him.  Arching his back and pushing away with all his might when I’ve chosen an inopportune time for a diaper change.  Or pounding his fists on the door when we have to come inside the house when say, it’s hailing, and he’s not yet finished shoveling dirt out of my flowerpots.  Good times.

Thankfully the happy times really do outweigh the mad ones, and there are countless moments every day when I stop and just smile.

Nick recently taught Jakzen to blow his nose.  Unbeknownst to us, Maguire was paying attention during these lessons, and now when we get a tissue and tell Jak to blow, Maguire will, too.  Very effectively, I might add.  But without the tissue.  Oy.

Being raised in a family where there are no less than 4 electronic devices in one room at any given time that can snap a photo, Maguire has mastered his “cheese” face.  If I even pick up my cell phone, he’s already squinting his eyes, jutting out his chin, grinning his giant toothy grin, and exclaiming “Seeeeeeeese!”.

Perhaps the most heart-warming and simultaneously gut-wrenching moments for me are when our 18 month-er wants to be able to keep up with his big brother.  Down with sissy baby stuff!  Up with trying things the ‘big brother way’!  Like stairs.  Slide down on his tummy?  He prefers taking the giant steps just like the rest of us — even if it inevitably means a crash landing.  And having taken the lead originally from Jakzen, it’s Maguire who will now let us know if it’s time for our daily dance party.  He turns on the music, he determines the volume and he demonstrates which “moves” he wants us to bust out, too.

Oh, Maguire, you have all 3 of us wrapped around your finger.  You are impossible to discipline, impossible to ignore, and impossibly sweet.  And I am proclaiming right now that we shall celebrate your half-birthday today with a chocolate treat…your favourite, and, huh, coincidentally mine, too.  Happy 547 days, little man!

1. Your dancing.  You have some sweet moves, little man, but I do believe my fave is a new one where you get real low and shake your bottom and look to the sky with a very concentrated face.  Your dancing is serious business.
2. You were listening to a favourite song of yours last night — “I Gotta Feeling” by the Black Eyed Peas — while you were busy sticking some stickers, seemingly paying no attention to the song.  But then you stopped, looked up, and sang “Mazel Tov” at the exact right spot…and went right back to your stickers.
3. Your flair for the dramatic.  When something doesn’t quite go your way, your exasperated “Oh dear!”, followed by a theatrical flop on the couch cracks me up.

Three things you do that drive me crazy:

1. When you attack your brother.  He’s getting quite close to being able to hold his own against you, but when you steamroll him when he’s least expecting it, the 2 of you need a referee to break it up.
2. When you say the bad word(s) that we (read: Me) accidentally “taught” you.  Bad mommy. 
3. I asked your dad what drives him crazy — he said “everything”.  But he was joking.  Sort of.  I think what makes him most crazy is when you bite your nails.

Three things you do that leave me in awe:

1. How you learn and absorb everything at the speed of light.
2. Your ability to use every gadget, toy and gizmo within minutes.  And your incredible need to know how they work so you can work ‘em all by yourself.
3. Your memory.  Wowzers.  You remember places we’ve been just once.  People you saw just once.  And (eeps!) things we say to you…just once.  You reminded me last night that you weren’t allowed to play with your robot because you didn’t listen at dinner.  Oy.

Three things you love to do:

1. Watch movies.
2. Do the dishes.  Which always results in you getting soaked and needing a new shirt.
3. Play with kids.  Any kid.  Anywhere.  Anytime.

Three things about you and your brother:

1. You *just* learned (last week) how to pronounce his name properly!
2. You always share with him and often give him the first turn.
3. You are the first one to race to his room in the morning, flip on the light, and yell, “Hi, Bro!  Whaddaya know, Bro??”

Three things about you and your dad:

1. You refuse to nap until you get to see daddy when he gets home from work.
2. Every weekend, it blows your mind to find him in bed when you get up in the morning.  (And yes, Monday’s tend to be a bummer when it’s back to finding only me there!)
3. The 2 of you are always coming up with something new — a new dance move, a new way to make a fort, a new lego tower.  You love playing with your dad and one of my favourite things to do is listen to my 3 boys laugh and play together.

Three reasons I love you:

1. You are so, so sweet.  And you always say the exact right thing at the exact right time to make me smile.  You most certainly have your mama wrapped around your finger.
2. Your genuine enthusiasm to see anyone walk thru the front door is just awesome.  Your excitement is infectious — and it makes me beam.
3. When I tuck you in at night, no matter how tough our day was, my heart grows a teeny bit bigger.  Every single night.  As I pull up your blanket and smooch your cheek, I’m already looking forward to tomorrow.

Three years ago today I was reeling from the shock of holding you 5 weeks too early.  I had no idea what I was in for back then, and you and me are still learning as we go.  Three years ago, you made me a mama in an instant and, my sweet boy, I knew I’d love you for a lifetime.  Happy Birthday, Jak Attack! 

Maguire…

• You get into everything.  There is one cupboard that doesn’t have a child lock on it and you, of course, found it.  And can empty it out in 3.2 seconds flat.
• Because you never stop moving, it is nearly impossible to change your diaper.  It is, by far, your least favourite thing to do — after all, who wants to sit still, or worse, lie down, when there are things to see!   Places to go!   Cupboards to empty!  What’s that analogy?  Like herding cats?  Yup, it’s like that.
• You are working on your smile.  All four front top teeth are working their way in at the same time.  Good thing you are so easy-going.  You get grouchy when they really hurt and your nose is running non-stop, but man, you sure look cute when those new white specks show up in your grin.
• You love dance parties as much as your brother.  When our “regular” party tunes come on, you assume the position at the coffee table and bounce.  And bounce and bounce and bounce.  With all your might.  And when you are really into it, you throw your head back with wild abandon.  Love it.
• You eat everything.  And you are crazy hungry at meal times.  I can’t get enough food in front of you fast enough.  Makes me worry for the future — I’m not sure how we’re going to keep the fridge stocked as you grow up.  For now, however, I’m going to just revel in the fact that you love food…I’ll worry about my grocery bill later.
• It’s a good thing you like your car seat because you are in it a lot.  Between ferrying your brother to and from school, and back and forth from appointments, we put on a lot of miles together.  I’m happy you are happy to be my happy passenger.
• You bonk your head, your face, your body about 100 million times a day.  That’s not an exaggeration.  You are tough, but those bonks still hurt.  And leave bruises.  Thank goodness you heal quickly…otherwise people might suspect just what kind of parents we are.
• You are amazing.  And loved.  More than you will ever know.  The end. 

My worries, however, were unfounded.  As usual, he was a social butterfly and before we were even in the playroom, he was chatting up other kids, checking out the mamas, and peering in car seats at the babies.  When we got into the playroom, he was AMAZED by the sheer number of toys and play areas — he went first to the trains and then to the kitchen and back to the trains…and back to the kitchen.  I lingered, watching, just a weeeee bit reluctant to leave my baby.  But then the moms were almost gone…and I knew I needed to go, too.  So I called Jak over and told him mommy had to leave.  He gave me a hug and a kiss.  And then — the arrow straight thru my heart — he said “Bye, mommy.  Door up there.”  You know, just making sure I knew how to get out, and indicating that I needed to go.  Now.  *sigh*

So off I went.  In a bit of a daze.  Bizarre sensation, leaving my dude with total strangers.  And then having nothing planned (Maguire was at home with Granddad).  I wasn’t prepared.  Thankfully there was a Starbucks nearby.  (PS – if anyone wants to meet for coffee on Monday afternoons, I’m available!)

The best part of the day, by far, was when I went back to pick him up.  I went into the room and all the kids were sitting on the mat watching a movie.  He turned around when he heard the commotion and he bolted over to me, eyes lit up, gave me a huge hug and said, “Mommy, watching a movie!  Mommy, come sit!!” — my heart, restored, and perhaps even swelling another half-size.  *sigh*

On the drive home, I was able to determine that he made a tree craft, he had apple for a snack, he drank some water, and he spilled some water.  According to him, by all accounts, it was a really good first day at preschool.  Tomorrow is another first day at another preschool, so standby on how Jak (and mommy) do on Day 2 (or Day 1, Part 2?).  As for today, a super-tired preschooler is catching some well-deserved zzz’s and this mama is starting to relax, too, reveling in the fact that we both survived the first day of school!

On the way to school…

No one had cameras in the playroom and I was too chicken to whip out my camera — has something to do with that whole “first day” fitting in thing, I suppose — so these shots were taken when we got home. 

It’s been a whirlwind nine months, my sweet busy boy.  ♥ 

• I love how when you say your name — “Jah-shan” — it kinda sounds like a cross between Jakzen and Jazz Hands.  Totally fitting, little dude.
• To date, you have never been shy a day in your life.  Stay that way, okay??
• Although bedtimes are difficult these days, you have definitely proven you are skilled at the art of negotiation, are far too clever, and boy, oh boy, you know how to make yourself heard.
• Although you know your ABC’s and are a good counter, when left to count by yourself, you prefer “Jak Math” which often goes “1, 2, 3, 4, eighteen, fourteen, eighteen”, followed by clapping and cheering.  (PS – your math is way more fun.)
• You have impeccable manners, but again seem to prefer your own methodology.  In lieu of “No, thank you”, you continue to say “No, Uncle Juan” (which apparently are very similar phrases in your world).  And when “Thank you, mommy” is appropriate, you prefer to skip right to “Welcome, mommy”.  I figure as long as you’re saying something in the ballpark, it’s all good.
• Potty training is going, well, slowly.  But with each of those  itty bitty accomplishments you make, we both feel like we’ve won the lottery every single time…especially when they are followed by the Happy Potty dance!  So even when you pee in my make-up bag, it’s not in a diaper, and that’s a step in the right direction….(I hope).
• And kiddo, when you say “I love you more” and give me a “lip kiss” (and don’t wipe it off!), I’m putty in your hands…

Because of you, little man, my every day includes laughing out loud, biting my tongue, smiling proudly, and gritting my teeth.  The good stuff totally outweighs, outnumbers, outlasts the bad, and you keep me on my toes, just waiting to see what you’ll do next.  Your mommy (and daddy and “bro”) love you!

And oh my, are we in for a world of trouble in the not too distant future…or at least a world with less sitting.  Our little dude is on the verge of crawling.  In fact, he wants to move so bad that he gets mad when his limbs don’t quite work they way he wants them to.  He is getting up all on fours now — and then rocks on his knees.  And that’s when he goes between being totally proud of himself, to being crazy angry when that toy is still juuuuuust outta reach.  Thankfully he has an obliging older brother who would rather just get him the toy than listen to his squawking.

Thankfully the one thing that has remained the same throughout all of his 8 months is that monster smile.  And the infectious giggle.  And the chubby cheeks.  And this mommy is hoping those things never go away (yes, even the cheeks!).

“Guy-er” (as Jak calls you), allow me to gush a bit about you, okay??

• You are eating solids!!  I tried a couple times over the last month or so to give you some cereal, but you ended up wearing every spoonful.  I guess you weren’t quite old enough yet to figure out how that whole tongue/swallowing thing works.  My third attempt was just last week, and suddenly you got it!  And now you can’t get enough.  So twice a day, you are getting monster bowl-fulls of cereal.  I can’t wait until we try out some peas and squash and carrots and bananas and apples.  It’s a whole new world.
• Teeth must be on the way because you are a drool machine.  If only there was a market for drool, you’d be making us millions!  One of my favourite times of the day is when you and your dad hang out before going for a tub, and you blow raspberries at him and chat non-stop, and soak both of you in the process.  Pretty sure only a mother can find that much drool so darn adorable.
• You still smile with your whole face.  I hope that never changes.
• Flopping like a fish when you sleep must be in the family genes because, just like your brother, you wiggle and squirm and roll and toss and turn all night long.  It’s always a surprise to see where/how you end up by morning.
• Another favourite time of the day is when you and your brother wake up in the morning and Jakzen and I come in to see you.  We learned to shout out “We’re coming, bro!” from down the hall before the very loud (and banging and crashing) Jakzen barges into your room…which was scaring the bejeezus outta you.  Now you are, of course, all smiles when it’s wake-up time.
• You still save your winningest smiles and best laughs for your brother, but I’m okay with that.  It makes my heart melt to see the 2 of you interacting more and more the older – and stronger – you get.  I figure I’d better enjoy these sweet moments because I’m sure the hitting, biting, screaming, fighting days are not too far in our future.

I am so thankful, Mr. Maguire, that you are part of our little family, and I can’t imagine what our lives woulda been like without you.  Can’t wait to see how you change over the next 6 months.  Happy half-way-to-a-year-aversary, sweetheart.