The Cheese Stands Alone...

How appropriate that Ty, my youngest, silliest child, would be metaphorically referred to as "The Cheese". Actually, he's equal parts ham and cheese, but he is, in fact, my last little one at home. Five before him have gone off to school, and he's the last man standing. I'm trying so hard to just enjoy our time, and each day as it passes, without tainting it with the forboding thought of school, but occasionally I succumb. From the first second he was placed in my arms, I've tried hard to push off the inevitable growing up that will occur. I nursed him far longer than his siblings, he spent all but a handful of nights sleeping soundly in our bed instead of his perfectly decorated crib, I refused to cut his floppy curls until he more closely resembled a sheepdog than a little boy, I let him carry his frog blankie (or "Mossie" as he calls it) virtually everywhere, toted him around in a sling until my back ached from the sheer weight of him, and to this day (he's 4 and a half) I wash him with Baby Magic, because he still smells like my precious newborn. But no matter how hard I try, time marches on. He looks longingly at his siblings as they walk out the door to school, he pouts sadly when told he is "to little" for something, and writes him name on every piece of paper that he comes in contact with. Okay, so that last part may have more to do with the fact that his name only consists of two letters, than it does with growing up, but you see my point. I just can't stop time, and it's bittersweet to see childhood, and this part of motherhood, slowly slipping away. I'm so glad to have my husband, and his beautiful optimism, constantly reminding me to live in the moment. To stop fretting about what's down the road, and to just relish these months. And to look forward to all that's to come...

His absolute favorite "home with mommy" pastime is painting, anything and everything. Paper, rocks, seashells, pinecones, you name it, we've painted it. And his pensive expressions are my favorite part...


I'd have to say his second favorite (or a tie with reading books and telling stories) is playing chess. My dad taught him and he's obsessed. It's so cute to hear my little 4 year old saying "Knights move up two and over one, or up one and over two".