After bedtime prayers and song, I sat in the rocking chair, snuggling my two-year-old twerp in his favorite navy blue blanket.
It had been a particularly challenging day for the two of us all around, starting at 3 AM when he walked into our bedroom with his blanket and an 101-degree fever.
Throughout the day, he cried often being sick and tired. You moms know what it’s like to have a sick, tired two-year-old, plus the usual boyish antics:
- He put the fish food container in the dishwasher’s silverware tray (glad I noticed before I ran the dishwasher).
- He spilled his milk, while trying to pour it from his cup onto his plate.
- He wanted more “snack” so he went up to the high chair and took poor, defenseless Carissa’s Ritz crackers right out of her hand. (That’s the first time he’s taken food from the little sister! He’s typically looking out for her.)
- He tried to pull the lit candle out of the jack-o-lantern.
I could go on, but you get the picture.
So I held him close and rocked.
“You know,” I reflected out loud, as much for myself as for him, “I prayed that God would give me a little boy.–And He gave me YOU!” He smiled peacefully behind the thumb stuck in his mouth.
I rocked him a little more and squeezed him a little tighter. “I love you, Micah.”
His eyes twinkled in the darkness. “Kiss Mommy,” he said, leaning forward.
Lately, he’s started this lingering kiss–on the lips. When he started doing this, I laughed so hard, because it was hysterically funny to me. Now I know: Shouldn’t have laughed. I encouraged him. Now he thinks it’s still hilariously funny and tries to kiss me–only on the lips–every time.
“I love you, Mommy,” he gushed, ever so sweetly.
He gave me a moment for that to sink in as we nuzzled noses. I thought about what an incredibly sweet son God had given in answer to my prayers.
Then suddenly he whispered, ever so deliberately, “Go down-steh-dees [downstairs] and eat ice cream!”
“Noooo, we’re not going downstairs to eat ice cream!” I laughed.
He giggled, still pleading his case, “Sometimes after naps, go downstairs and eat ice cream.”
So I’m left wondering if this child really is so sappy sweet? . . . or is he just trying to con me?