February 19, 2007 | Mama Smith
nap time
...glorious nap time. I have been counting down the minutes for this tiny break in our day since 6am this morning.
Today we began our first day as a “mom & sons trio”. So far…well, we’re surviving. Brighton spent the morning in high spirits as we built with blocks, read book after book and chased each other around the dining room table. That was, until Levi decided to wake up and steal the center of attention from Brighton. Since then, Brighton has pulled out every trick in the book and attempted to void every “no” he’s been taught around the house, and always, perfectly timed for when I’m nursing. Including…
- attempting to sit on my open laptop
- pulling out the glass recycables
- trying to uproot the pot of tulips on the coffee table, spilling potting soil all over the floor
- head-butting Levi when he wouldn’t scoot over to make room for B
- attempting to use the toy hammer on Levi’s head once again and then trying to unassumingly push his books off the coffee table onto Levi resting below
- coyly walking over to where Levi was chilling out, turning his rear towards his brother and letting out one loud, stinky fart. Coincidence? I don’t think so.
- crumpling up his favorite valentine from Mom with the googly-eyed owl and tossing it in the kitchen trash. Not even batting an eyelash when I pointed out that was from Mama and Papa to Brighton
- sneaking off to the hallway where an old coffee pot awaits storage and using the glass pitcher as a drum
One step forward, two steps back. That’s what it feels like these days. We see these small, sweet changes in B towards Levi, then total regression a few minutes later. Guess that’s just how it will be for awhile.
Here is a shot of Levi in the midst of the morning chaos. He’s being quite a trooper. Having his morning meal interupted twice, in order for Mom to take Brighton to the Listening Chair. He’d just hang out in the boppy until I returned, cooing and watching the shadows on the wall.
Now both boys are asleep and I’m off to join them for a hopeful one hour nap myself. To close…a humorous look at our foreshadowing fridge.
Little did we know how telling this innocent valentine’s day project would be. These are the heart-men Brighton and I attempted to make a few weeks back, pre-Levi days. What Matthew and I were laughing about last night is just how uncanny the placement and size of these heart-men are. The massive Brighton – front and center. The Papa and Mama revolving around him. And the little “We-why” (B’s name for Levi) at Brighton’s heart-man booty, especially in light of the farting incident today. This is unfortunately how Brighton probably sees the world right now. But that is quickly changing. Thank goodness. For his sake and the rest of the family.
As we all struggle to realize at times throughout life, this story we’re in is ultimately not about us. Thankfully there is a bigger story Christ has called us to. One that doesn’t involve us being the biggest heart-man on the fridge, but rather being a part of a Body, of a community, of a family, of a team. I find it interesting that one of Brighton’s favorite books this week is one his GranLou sent him for Christmas…
He hadn’t been too interested in it until very recently. Guess the Spirit is at work even in his little heart to remind him he too needs a big Savior right now. Mama & Papa just can’t be that for him, but he has Someone who can.
Meg said,
I feel your pain as you try to devote you undivided attention to both. My little R had to be interrupted during a meal frequently, while I plopped her down on the floor and then sat G into his room for a quiet time out.
I remember several times just crying and hurting for G….trying to imagine how he must feel, not the center anymore.
I have come to love special outings with just G and I….those are sometimes the only things that would settle his little spirit down. :0)
meg
Mary said,
Both your kids are so cute and the photos and stories are fun to see and read. Brighton is still really a baby, himself, though, and Levi is very vulnerable to being harmed by Brighton when you place him on the floor and in a basket on the floor. A book dropping on his face, or a poke with a toy could damage his eye(s), and being sat on could truly injure him. Unless you are holding Levi up, he would be safer in his crib until Brighton is no longer so jealous, and Levi himself is bigger and stronger.
Good luck. It's a true challenge.
Amy Smith said,
I hear you, Meg. I have shed many a tears over Brighton and wondering how hard this must all be on him. Matthew’s been great about watching Levi, so B and I can still have our special one-on-one outings. They really are so helpful for their little spirits!
And Mary, thanks for your comment. May I ask how you found minismith? It’s always interesting for me to see how new people get directed here :) And always fun to hear from a new reader. I hear your concern, but I also think it’s helpful for Brighton and Levi to have this time of connecting and getting used to each other under the careful supervision of their Mom. I’m always sitting on the floor with them, usually in between the two of them, and am able to immediately divert B’s attention when he gets too close or starts testing his boundaries. Per my doctor’s suggestion though, he really thinks these first few weeks are crucial for Brighton to feel he can engage with his new brother and not be constantly confined from him, which is what he’d feel if we always kept Levi away from him or never let him near his brother. It does take a lot more work though, staying focused and on the floor with the boys all the time. But I’d rather do that than the breakfast dishes any day :)
Emily said,
hey ac, it’s funny, brighton may be outwardly showing that he expects you all to “save” him but he’s no different from the rest of us, me in particular, always looking for someone or something to fill the void or make us happy…
way to go, super mom! we’ve come a long way from dress-n-go freak show! :)
maryanne said,
Oh boy-
What a day. We had all the same things happen with Anna, when Josh came along. It think some of it must just be the transition from one to two kids. By the third, I think that no one is used to the spotlight, so it’s not as phasing to all. “These things too shall pass”. Hang in there!
LaVerne & Rex said,
Could hardly wait til this a.m. to check yourblog to catch up on the B/L
news. Wonderful pics. You are going
to be so proud of these pics as the years go by….and let me tell you again how much they mean to us. You &
B/L are constantly in my thoughts. I
like Brighton’s name for Levi. You are
doing a great job, Amy. I consider you nothing short of amazing! Take every nap you can. I do. Love to all
...Gran Manu’ere
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