Posted by
Taryn on Monday, September 5th 2011
Funny how when my firstborn turned three she was so grown up. No more nappies, dummies, or day time naps … and yet, dressing herself and speaking clearly. At least, that’s what I remember. But my youngest is quite the opposite – still in nappies at night, dummy is still his great love, despite being restricted to lunch time sleep only, and his daytime naps are still a integral feature to his day, both for his sake and mine! He could dress himself at a push, but he would rather mom or sisters do the honours. And his speech is just like most three olds – peppered with adorable mispronunciations.
In fact, his mispronunciations have become our family words. I doubt we’ll ever call a "rhino-noc-ious" by its real name again. "Bubbles" are "gubbles" and when they bubble over, they’re "gubbling". No one can feel ill to stomach without being asked if they need to "bomit". Of course, that may be the case if they’ve had too many "straw-ee-babies".
My little Micah is growing up too fast, despite being my most babied three-year old. We love his quirky funniness. He is the master of facial manipulation – contorting his expressions to coax the response he wants. His cutest is without a doubt the one that accompanies a little shrug of his shoulders, hands outstretched as if to say, "I dunno" He stares up at us from under his eyelashes with a naughty twinkle in his eyes and a smile twisting at his lips. It’s his official, "I’m not sure what to say right now, so I’ll just look cute". More common is the wide wailing screwed up eyes that accompanies piercing screams of … pain, anger, frustration, defeat, tiredness – you name it. My favourite is the one that shouts "I’ve done something very very naughty, but I’m going to try really really hard to pretend that all is normal!" The accompaniment in this case are the two little hands clasped firmly behind his back. Eyes wide in anticipated alarm, he is almost too cute to punish. Almost but for the fact that he is usually the instigator when it comes to his brother’s piercing shrieks.
Micah is a hooligan. He is three going on seven. I suspect it is a Last Child Syndrome thing that has the youngest kid looking at all his older siblings and thinking that he is one of them. And if they dare to treat him otherwise, he will "sock ‘em one" (or two). Or bite. Or scratch. Despite never having learned such behaviour from them, Micah seems to think it is entirely appropriate to fight dirty. Happily, we’ve seen a significant lessening in the biting and scratching department. Although, sadly, I can’t say the same for the socking….
If ever there was a wild boy in our midst, it’s Micah. Sam’s own typically "boy" behaviour pales in comparison to Micah’s death defying ways. Try attempting to go rock climbing over the wall of a five metre sheer drop in gusty conditions on for size. Or throwing himself off the edge of the pool from as soon as he could stand. Daily he tries one thing or another that involves danger. And if it’s not danger in itself, it’s at least the facade of one – whether dressed as a knight or pirate or brandishing any gun-like object, Micah will adopt his fiercest snarl and narrowed eyes, all while muttering ominously beneath his breath.
Guns. Yes. *sigh* I’ve never invited these things into my home. Never bought them for my kids or shown them. But somewhere, somehow, they have learned about it and so, like many boys across the globe, just about any object is creatively utilised in the next pretend war game. They’ve even perfected the stutter of a machine gun.
Despite his aggressive show, he is still our precious boy who loves to pray and insists on bibles stories being read every night, even when mom and dad are feeling too tired! He would like to be the sole commander of grace at meals – "I say grace!" And is our constant reminder if we ever forget. He is the one who is determined never to be left out of any baking that happens in our home – he is my most adept 3-year old when it comes to the electric egg beaters! He adores his little friends, most especially Jemma T – giving Sam a run for his money. And he just love goofing around, be it by grinning orange segments at us or piling on the bubble bath and posing for the pictures or simply pulling his famous "kermit the frog" look (see below), he has us in stitches.
Dear Micah-Moo – we love you soooo very much! Everything about you. From all the above to… your sweet blonde curls that give you that cool surfer-dude look on good days, or that powder puff look of the 70s – a mini Andre Rieu, perhaps? Even then, we love them. Your blue eyes that delight to stare deep into our own – especially with dad or mom’s face firmly clasped between your chubby hands. Your adorable dancing and singing acts when you think no one is looking. And the sweet slumbering boy over whom I pray Micah 6:8 …
He has shown you O man what is good. What does the Lord require of you? To act justly and love mercy and walk humbly with our Lord.
We thank the Lord for you, dear Micah. A blessing indeed!
