Jonathan turns 4
Tuesday, June 28th, 2011
To Jon-Jon, my special little fellow,
Another year of watching you grow has sped by, watching extra complexity being added to your developing character. At heart, still my delightful boy with a funny and charming nature, so considerate and always wanting to help – just occasionally hidden by a layer of 3-year old truculence.
Warring within are the spirits of independence and that of wanting to be babied as Jess is. I love the way you suddenly need a hug (“hoog” in your developing northern accent) in the middle of doing something apparently unrelated and how you don’t squirm away from kisses and cuddles yet. Lion and Muslin are still essential bedtime accessories.
One measure of mental development is your ability for wooden railway construction. Learning from the best of course, over the months we’ve seen you take on board loops and bridges, struts, splits and joins, representing many hours of focussed building. At any given time your bedroom floor is covered with a maze of tracks, imperilled by any of Jessica’s forays into your room.
There’s so much more for you to think about these days. Along with heightened creativity (in building, not drawing) and imagination, come fears real and imaginary, and passion for issues that take on huge importance in the moment. Tears are shed over not being the car “in front” when racing little vehicles to and fro on the low wall outside, buttercups must not be mowed because they are pretty, dogs and other animals should keep their distance, and injuries sustained during play are preferably neither discussed nor examined.
In a year, I’ve watched a pair of trousers go from resting on the ground behind your heels, to being on the verge of being retired. Other more significant physical milestones include a complete goodbye to nappies, farewell to your high-chair, bib, car-seat and cot, and learning to ride a bicycle (with stabilisers). More than ever a little boy.
We’ve noted how you love all things musical, enjoy planting things, and very much want things to be ordered properly, particularly clothes which need to “match” according to a fairly strict personal code.
Over the last year we’ve fitted in a holiday to South Africa (your 4th international trip), moving to Durham and changing nursery, all the while getting used to Jessica’s ever-changing presence, and muddling our way through potty-training.
My precious boy – it’s been a busy year in your life, and we’ve so enjoyed sharing it with you. Happy birthday!
