Walk by Hello: Our Boy

07 April 2009

Our Boy

"A boy's story is the best that is ever told.-- Charles Dickens

I am entering uncharted territory. The terrain is steep, mountainous, with many deep canyons and lots and lots of water. The native here lives off the land, surviving happily without washing, eating off floors and dirt alike, relishing a good tackle or an impromptu sword fight with sticks. The usually jolly, jelly smeared little face becomes grumpy and scowly more readily. The same little body that squeezes into my arms for a hug, fights me the next minute to stop kissing him.

And so it goes. I have entered the land of the little boy. Much different than the CandyLand I've been in with Natalie, but no less exciting or enjoyable. More Chutes and Ladders or Don't Break the Ice.

I am surprised to find I am not as sad as I thought I would be to watch his babyness disappear. The hands are less chubby, more nimble, the cheeks less full, more lean. And the need for me is dissipating. Now it's Daddy he wants. Funny to see him stomp around after Tim. When he talks to Daddy it's in a gruff voice, his best effort at sounding manly. Most of his day is spent crashing cars or pretend chopping down trees or sword fighting.

But there are many moments when he will stop to run and check on his crying sister, "You okay Nanee?", he will ask tenderly, stroking her hair and kissing her face. He will sit in my lap and smooth the strands of hair off my face, "Ooh, pretty Mama, pretty." And he will laugh heartily, holding his stomach, rocking from side to side at a silly face or a goofy noise. Most of the day he goes about his important business singing, his favorite songs are Christmas ones. 'Frosty the Snowman, 'Santa Claus is Comin to Town', but now they are sung in his deep voice...

He desperately wants us to be involved in what he is doing. He will often hold out a small hand to Tim or I saying, "C'mon Daddy, wanna show you sumpin" and take us to his latest treasure or found toy.

At night he still asks to be snuggled, loves to have Tim and I sing to him and closes his eyes and smiles as we pray the blessing over him before sleep.

He is jolly, he is mischievous, to me he is the most wonderful boy that ever was...I am new to this whole thing but so glad to be along for the ride.

2 comments:

Deanna @ oneagleswings said...: He sounds like such a wonderful little boy.

My thought when I read this was, "Oh, isn't that how all kids are?" Ha. I'm in Boyland and didn't realize it.; April 7, 2009 at 5:40 PM
Mel said...: I love your writing. We are lost somewhere in the heart of boyland. We're delving into the warm weather with bikes and trucks and dirt and rolling down the hill next to the garage.
I'm loving it, but wondering ... what do girls like to do?; April 16, 2009 at 11:20 AM

Pecan Cream Cheese Icing:

8 ounces cream cheese
1 stick unsalted butter
1 (1-pound) box confectioners' sugar
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 cup chopped toasted pecans

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

Butter 3 (9-inch) cake pans with 1 tablespoon of the butter and set aside. In a large bowl, cream the butter with an electric mixer. Add the sugar, and beat. In a medium bowl or on a piece of parchment, combine the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt, and mix well.

Add the dry ingredients, alternating with the eggs, beating well after the addition of each. Add the vanilla extract and mix. Add the carrots and beat on medium speed until well incorporated, about 2 minutes. Fold in the nuts. Divide between the 3 cake pans and bake until set and a cake tester inserted into the middle comes out clean, 25 to 30 minutes. Remove from the oven and let rest in the cake pans for 10 minutes. Invert onto wire racks, remove from the pans, and let cool.

For the Frosting: In a large bowl, cream together the cream cheese and butter until light and fluffy. Add the sugar gradually, beating constantly. Add the vanilla and pecans.

When the cake is cool, place 1 cake layer on a cake plate or stand. Spread the top with cream cheese frosting and top with a second and third cake layer, spreading the icing between each layer. Spread the icing around the sides of the cake and let harden slightly before serving. To serve, cut into wedges.