In search of Rebecca De Mornay.
Category: Shep
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Yellow
Shep has this thing where he drags Tom over to the piano and then he goes to get his guitar and takes a seat on the chair next to the piano. It is then Tom’s job to play Coldplay’s “Yellow” on the piano while Shep accompanies with guitar and vocals.
I will warn you that it’s very possible that your computer might implode from the insane amount of cuteness you’ll find on this link.
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Kite flying
Chris stayed late tonight to fly a kite with the kids. Then Renita and Diane rolled in and everyone stayed for dinner, which we ate on the patio in the unusually cool June weather.
Over dinner we wished farewell to Renita’s hip, which is scheduled to be replaced on Thursday.
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The great outdoors
The weather is perfect these days, so we’re spending as much time as we can outside. With the sunshine, we get nice surprises, like my dad showing up with a snake he found in their yard. Neko and Shep were beyond excited about it, and Neko tried to convince my dad it could come live in the frog’s aquarium. (No thank you.)
I bought flowers for the swingset flowerboxes, and Neko and I transplanted them into new pots and put them in place. I was amazed that she was so gentle and was able to do it the right way all by herself. I keep forgetting to give her a chance to do these things. But she did great and was so very proud of herself.
I know the humidity and 95 degree days are coming, but for now, this is glorious.
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Sneak preview
The facility where Neko takes gymnastics had a special one-day camp today. From 10am-2pm she’d be in camp, and I was free to go. Without her.
As I left with just Shep and Ellery in tow, I felt a little empty. Whenever I’m not with Neko, she’s usually with Tom or my family. Or the occasional babysitter. But today she was off on her own, which is a big adjustment for her. And me. And Shep.
When we got in the car, Shep looked around, and asked, “Neko?” He’s never really known life without her. She’s always there, the everpresent leader in each day. When we got to the zoo, Shep clung to my leg. He’s doing this lately, being a little bit shy of new people. But I think this time he was a little shy of being on his own, with no Neko to follow as she charges off to the manatee house or the gorillas. He had to make his own decisions.
It took him a while to warm up. He didn’t want to wander far without me. But within the hour, he was off and running, pretending to be a bird, with his arms outstretched and flapping. “Flying!” he’d shout as he ran. It was kind of like he was at the zoo for the first time. Instead of keeping Neko’s 4-year-old pace, he took his time. When he caught sight of an animal, he’d point his finger and yell, “Oo! Oo! Ooooo!” He was too excited to find the words. By the time we got on the train, he was positively beaming.
When I dropped Neko off, she had been reluctant to let me go. I had to take a moment where her attention was turned to a box of crayons to make a clean getaway. But when I picked her up, she was bouncing with excitement. “Would you like to go again sometime?” and she didn’t hesitate to give me an enthusiastic “Yes!”
The rest of the day was, dare I say, blissfully peaceful. Neko and Shep got along, having clearly missed one another earlier in the day. After naps we all dogpiled on the couch, and where an absurd number of kisses and hugs and snuggles were had by all.
I think we’re ready. I have no regrets about keeping Neko out of preschool this year, but she’s clearly ready to take that step now. She needs to test her wings and gain a little independence. And Shep needs to see what life is like not always being in her shadow. And I need to be eased into letting her go.
And I think I’m okay with that. As long as everyone promises to come back and dogpile on the couch when the day is done.
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Dreaming of mermaids
Tonight when Tom checked in on Shep he found him sound asleep with Ariel tucked squarely between his knees.
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Poop?
Today Shep and I were playing and he looked up at me and said, “Poop?”
I checked his diaper, but no poop. I don’t know what compelled me, but I asked if he needed to go to the bathroom. And to my surprise, he said he did.
So we trotted off to the bathroom. And when he sat down, the strangest thing happened…HE POOPED.
I don’t even know what to say. I’m sure it’s a fluke, and it won’t happen again for ages, but I could not be more excited at the prospect that this could be easier than potty training Neko, which was comparable to that whole Sisyphus and the boulder thing.
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Heartwarming
Today was a rotten day. Bad behavior all around. I’ve mentioned it before, so I won’t go into detail, but we’re still in that rut.
However, in the middle of it all, Shep walked up to me, gave me a hug and said, “Iwuvyou.” For the very first time. Ever.
That kid has the best timing.
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Puddle jumpers
Tom watched the kids while I got a sanity break with Ellery in tow. The activity for the evening? Puddle jumping. The kids had a fabulous time, but I’m still finding dirt and gravel in the shower.
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Shep turns two
Today you turned two. I can’t believe it’s been that long since you arrived on the scene. You were hard to get along with at first. All you did was scream. For months. Granted, if I spent a few months only pooping every five days, I’d probably be pretty cranky, too. But, lordy, it was rough beginning.
But once you started smiling, you haven’t looked back.
You’re far more independent than Neko ever was. Or maybe in a different way. We often said we could have dropped Neko in the middle of New York City, and she would have been fine, but she would have found about six people to keep her company as she made her way. But you’re just fine on your own. I often see you over in a corner, happily bopping your head to some internal tune, humming along as you play.
Your smile is contagious. Don’t get me wrong, you’ve mastered the art of furrowing your brow when things aren’t going your way, but when you’re having a great time, people seem to want to smile along with you. You have this way of delighting in just being.
I think you’ve got your father’s music gene. You love to watch music videos on our laptops, particularly “Year of the Rat” and “Nature Anthem.” We hear you singing the alphabet and the Bob the Builder theme over the monitor as you’re trying to fall asleep. When we’re in the car, you demand to hear “Yellow” by Coldplay. We started playing it for you because yellow is your favorite color, but I think you like it now for other reasons. It only takes a few bars for you to recognize it, and then a huge smile crosses your face.
You, are, however, running headlong into two. You’ve discovered you don’t have to do everything we say, and are testing every limit. You run away from us, and think it’s a hilarious game. You climb over furniture, even though you know you aren’t supposed to. And the throwing, oh, the throwing. You’re throwing everything. 15 years from now I will be happy to point out the dents on the floor that are courtesy of your right hook.
Incidently, I’m not really sure where this recessive sports gene came from, but it’s terrifying. Your obsession with balls seems to know no boundaries. You’ll notice your cupcakes aren’t perhaps the best work I’ve ever done but, dude, you were born into a family of sports illiterates. I had to Google “basketball” just so I knew how all those lines went.
I know you don’t really understand this whole birthday thing. You seem delighted that everyone keeps giving you extra attention, and the whole day you were doing this exuberant dance, laughing and bouncing up to the tips of your toes the way only limber two-year-old feet can do. You don’t seem to mind that Neko ran off with your presents, and you were overjoyed when we let you eat the frosting off of ten cupcakes.
When I’m dealing with your sisters, it feels like familiar turf. I’m comfortable in these girl shoes. But you’re a whole new mystery, one that I’m both perplexed and intrigued by. You can be all boyboyboy rough and tumble, but then come over, put your head on my shoulder and pat me gently on the back. You loved Ellery from the start, without a second thought. You place your cheek on hers as you whisper “Ewery”. You are kind and full of empathy, keenly tuned into other people. I hope that, when you’re grown, all those things will still be firmly rooted to your soul.
Happy birthday, little man.