It’s been almost a month since my baby boy turned 5 and I’m just getting around to writing a post about it. This seems to be the trend for me and plenty of other parents when it comes to our second, third, fourth, etc. borns.
I feel pretty guilty about it at times. He often draws the short straw when we are handing out parental attention. All I can do is write him my special note now and keep trying. That’s all we can do as parents. We do our best, admit our faults when we fail, and then try to make up for it and do better next time.
Daniel’s fifth birthday was on November 24th. He was born just 5 hours before his due date and he was in a BIG hurry to arrive, giving me just 15 minutes of labor to prepare. He was my LARGE, loud, restless baby. He continues to be a large, loud, restless boy. This birthday really felt substantial to me. Age five feels like a big milestone, especially as he is my last child. For me, 5 means he’s not a toddler anymore, and he has really started showing me that he’s not.
Daniel does everything BIG. He plays big, fights big, crashes big, loves big, and gives big. We are so different, and I’m learning to appreciate his bigness in all it’s incarnations. My son has taught me that our differences are what will make us stronger as a team, and better as individuals. I’m learning about acceptance, patience, how to listen and respond instead of reacting. Learning from him will make me a better mother, and showing him unconditional love will make him a better man.
He is funny, smart, and SO much more coordinated than I will ever be. He is courageous, fierce, and determined…my lion.
Happy belated birthday, Daniel. I love you.
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