Sawyer

(Playing in the chicken coop trying to climb up their stairs)

Sawyer is 18 months (and a week) now. It kind of snuck up on me. I kept telling myself that he's still a little baby... that I was just in labor. Wasn't he just learning to smile, to coo, to walk? Now he's running (in that toddler-y kind of way), gets caught up in fits of laughter, can tell me with a look exactly what he's feeling and whether he likes something or doesn't. He's says "no" like a pro and has "mama" and "da" down beautifully.

And while I still call him baby... he's definitely not an infant anymore. He enjoys books but not in the way Ian did. Instead of sitting for long periods looking at page after page, savoring the pictures, Sawyer does a quick perusing, skipping pages, pointing out each thing he recognizes with a quiet, oooooh. When he's done, there's a quick jerk of the wrist and the book is tossed in the air to land randomly on the floor. He loves sitting by the warm air early in the morning, eating grapes, watching the chickens, breastfeeding, and watching anything and everything from the comfort of mama's arms. And he has the cutest way of holding his little feet and hands against each other.


His personality arrived quietly. Showing up in subtle ways... like a light in his eye when we found something he enjoyed or a smirk on his face when he thought something Ian did was funny. He's the most mild yet stubborn little boy I know. Gentle and sweet, preferring to spend most of his time with Ian (whom he adores) or dancing to music. But he's fiery and stubborn when he thinks he should have something he can't or when we won't let him walk around to eat his dinner. He has quickly caught on to the word "no" but will occasionally tell us "yes" when it fits his fancy. A sweet, soft, adorable little... yesh.

He's my little buddy. He follows me from room to room, downstairs to do the laundry and then upstairs to put it away. He's discovered he can push a chair up to the kitchen counter which he loves to do when I'm making dinner. He watches everything. Without ever telling or teaching him, he has learned to put his shoes on the rack and hang his coat up on his coat hook. It's something we taught Ian to do whenever we come in from the outside and Sawyer learned it simply by watching.

(This is the "hey it turned out!" as Ian fumbled with the camera managing to push the button while I'm apparently squashing Sawyer into my head in a kind of artsy pose.)

I always wanted a boy. The second time around I was fine either way... boy or girl... just make sure it's healthy, I'd said. When we found out Sawyer was a boy, I tried to envision what a brother for Ian would be like. Would he look like Ian? Would he sleep as well as Ian has? Would they get along? I had no idea what to expect, like most people, but hoped and prayed for the best. When he was born, I realized he was both different than Ian and similar in many ways. What I realize now after seeing their relationship grow is that his emerging personality is a perfect complement to Ian's. It's becoming more and more obvious how much they love each other. And though they will fight like all siblings, they don't like to be apart for very long. If one realizes that the other isn't in the same room then they will go searching for the missing one until he's found. Sawyer loves following Ian and copying him and Ian loves the tagalong. There is nothing like watching them develop a close friendship where they will take care of and watch out for each other always. My boys... brothers. And I believe it's because of their amazing Dad who hugs and kisses and tickles them daily... never weary of showing affection or asking for it in return. They love him fiercely.

(Warming toes on a cold morning... it's a serious ritual around here)

Last week...little Sawyer turned 18 months and I turned 31. I know neither of us could imagine our life without the other... and that feels good.

We love you sweet bug.

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