Twitchy
jumping boy, originally uploaded by chinua000.One time, (I hope I’m not repeating myself here) I asked my Superstar Husband if he thought Kid A was… okay.
“Why?” he wanted to know.
“Well, he’s always doing something with his hands. Fiddling. He flicks his fingers against his jaw, or he does that funny little scratching motion on his forehead, and he’s constantly kicking. Do you think that’s normal?”
“He’s fine.”
“I’m just, you know, worried that he’s anxious or something,” I said. And then I laughed, because it was such a ridiculous, “Me” thing to say.
“Rae, he’s just like me. Think about it. Do you notice a similarity?”
And suddenly the light switched on. Chinua’s leg jiggling, the pacing, the rubbing together of the socks, the drumming tabla beats on the table when we’re waiting for our food to come at a restaurant, the poking at my face and collarbone and elbows when he’s noticing me… Kid A is exactly like his father.
I remember once, at the beach on the Gulf of Mexico. Kid A was only 1. I was sitting in the sand and looked up to see little Kid A holding a handful of sand, completely lost in the act of letting it slowly trickle down in a stream to the sand below. Directly behind him, with the exact same expression on his face, was his dad, holding a hand full of sand, watching it trickle, lost in it.
They have minds that are constantly working. And with their constantly working minds are bodies that are always moving.
I stopped worrying, after that conversation.
But today, while I didn’t start worrying again, I realized that I may be in for many long years of annoying actions while thinking. Because today was the introduction of the tuneless whistle.
The tuneless whistle is Kid A’s new skill. The tuneless whistle has only one note. The tuneless whistle stops for no one, for nothing, and since I recognize the tuneless whistle as a developing skill, and don’t want to squash it, I allowed it to go on for perhaps 32 hours today, with one exception. No tuneless whistling when we are sitting at the table eating together. Make that two exceptions. No tuneless whistling in MY EAR. All right.
***
Tonight I am missing out on a very special party, a medieval dinner that we were all invited to. Not only am I missing out on the eats, I am missing out on my husband as the jester, in full jester costume. Juggling, doing card tricks, whatever whatever, I’m used to the Super Talents around here, but the costume!
However, what I need more than seeing my husband in a Jester costume (I know, what could I need more than that?) is rest. I’ve been feeling like something the rats dragged out of their little holes. Something rotten that used to be shaped like an apple. Something. Just not like me. And we pregnant moms of three take our rest where we can.
By the way, from the last post, I don’t want you to get the idea that I had no first trimester symptoms. There were those lovely days of running back and forth from the toilet eighteen times in an hour. And the sea sick symptoms when I was no where near the ocean, moaning about my messy house while feeling unable to leave the couch. Eating veerrrry slowly. A Christmas spent trying not to smell anything. Or see anything.
I just didn’t know we were so close to the end of it. Hooray! Here’s to feeling BETTER!
(By the way, in case you didn’t get it from the flickr account owner info, I totally would never want to take credit for this shot- it’s my Superstar Husband’s.)
8 comments
have you gotten any exciting packages lately, or do i need to get irate with canada poste?
Erik and I both love the picture. And I’m so glad your pregnancy is going quickly! I’ve thought it would be lovely to find out someday that I’m four months pregnant, or something along those lines. Just to make it go by faster. Boys- they really are interesting! Having such an active (in mind and body) sort of boy myself makes me so very thankful that I get to teach him at home. I can’t imagine him having to sit at a desk for very long without getting into a lot of trouble!
Thought it was funny that Kid A is twitchy, – then there are the genes on the other side of the family – where we twitch as well, and giggle – just look at your brother. Your poor kids are going to get “double doses”. By the way I can type again with 2 hands!!! and use capitals!!!!
Glad that you are getting through your 1st trimester and that you are taking time out for yourself.
amazing picture
It’s so good to here that! My firstborn is that same way. I have to restrain myself at times. He paces, dances, whatever you call it while watching TV. Oh, and so much more. I really enjoy your blog! Thank you.
When I read about Kid A’s “tuneless whistle”, all I could think of was the show tune “Johnny One-Note”!
I no longer blog, but used to…under Geronimo, and then Captain Mom. I just surf every now and then, as I couldn’t control my bloggy blog obsessive tendencies and run a house at the same time.
I exchanged a few comments with you, you elaborated on some of the life living communally…sooo. I’ve just dropped back by, and low and behold! You’re having a baby…many many congrats and blessings. Our newest will turn 1 tomorrow, and it’s been THE FASTEST YEAR OF MY LIFE. He is our fourth, and I’m afraid, final. Anyway, your comments about your son being so like his father? Our 3rd is so much that way, and his father is a very creative person. Our son amazes and sometimes worries me, with all his little ticks and such (one phase was chewing the cuffs nearly off his long sleeves). Your husband is as right as mine…our boys will be fine. Better than fine. They have those great genes, and the right parents to bring them along . Our mantra around here is CHANNEL CHANNEL CHANNEL the energy and creativity!
Fortunately, we homeschool. I don’t know what might become of his wonderful potential in another environment. And the tuneless whistle? Yep. We’ve got that here, too! Didn’t know that was common!
Lastly, as I ramble on, and I do HATE labels, BUT, have you ever investigated the characteristics of the “Edison Trait” child? We saw lots of commonalities…sometimes helps soothe my concern on some of the harder days. That, and prayer of course!
Blessings, and thanks for letting me ramble.
And OH! I have to say that your children are unbelievably beautiful…what an incredible blend of God’s beauty, from you and your husband. At the risk of sounding wrong, I have often thought that the amazingly gorgeous skin tones that can come from interracial marriage is proof from God we’re not meant to be separate, but all one in Him. I want that skin, but alas, *sigh*, my folks are just southern w.a.s.p. Maybe I’ll have grandchildren to snuggle one day with skin color deeper than mine. Hey, our 12 year old son seems particularly drawn to Asian featured girls…hmmm. We’ll see?!! Again, hope I didn’t speak out my a** here. But your kids? Amazing.
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