5 years ago, on New Year’s Eve, I was expectantly awaiting the arrival of our second-born. We had had two due date for him, one was close to Christmas Day, the other, the “official due date”, January 1st. I was excited at the prospect of having the “first baby of the year”! But while I thought he JUST MIGHT be born NYD, I knew it wasn’t too likely, since his brother had been a few days late.
New Year’s Eve we stayed close to home, just in case things should start to get moving – but they didn’t. New Year’s Day came and went, and there was no baby. Tell me I’m not alone in this, but once you’re a couple of days past your due date, you start to irrationally think “This baby is NEVER going to come!”. Which, of course, is never true. Labour began on the night of January 4th, and early morning on January 5th, our little JJ was born. My fastest labour of the 3 – contractions went mildly progressing for about 4 hours. At 3:00 we called our midwives to meet us at the hospital. At around 4:00 we arrive. By 4:45 he had entered the world. True to his form, always on the move, eager for things to happen.
Your brother was almost 20 months. Very nearly still a baby himself, able to sing a couple words of “Jesus Loves Me”, but otherwise limited to “Dog Dog”, “Mommy” and “Daddy” (with a few others thrown in there). He loved you from the start, and unable to say your full name, quickly gave you the name we all know and love – JJ.
You were our little sleeper from the get go – by 6 weeks sleeping through the night on a regular basis – quite a shock to this momma who had tried too hard with The Boy and he wouldn’t sleep through until 6 months. But they always say, you learn on the first and practice on the second. Bundle of joy, handful of energy, always on the move, always ready with a smile and a laugh.
Mr. Creativity, the builder, our kinesthetic learner – always hands on, always moving, running in a downward spiral – lots of scrapes, bumps and bruises with you, but you’re a tough one, jumping up again after the fall and surprising everyone at your ability to brush it off. I should learn from you, how to get up quickly and keep on going.
The builder Man, always working hard to create something new out of lego, blocks, paper, anything, never tiring of ideas. The artist, creating birds and, of course, guns out of your sandwiches, drawing endlessly, always creating. Brow furrowed, deep in thought and concentration – just like momma.
You are growing up so quickly, and yet you haven’t changed. 5 years old now – you’re becoming a regular big boy! You have found a love for reading, which blesses us all as we hear you trying to read signs and books and labels – watch out world, here comes another reader! Your compassion for others is inspiring, your desire to serve humbling. Daddy and I have prayed so long for you, and continue to do so, that you may be more like Christ.
The verse you were given on your birthday was picked because your Grandma opened God’s word to Jeremiah – chapter 1 (for January) and verse 5 (for the day ): “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations.”. Is not our God amazing?! This has been our prayer of thanks and desire for you from the start – that you would know that God formed you, knows you, chose you, and appointed you to do his will.
My prayer for you this year is that you would learn to submit to authority, respecting and honouring your parents and others. That you may continue to develop more of a servant’s heart, and grow in gratitude, thankfulness and compassion. Ephesians 4:1-3″1 I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, 2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, 3 eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.”.
Happy Birthday Buddy!
Linking up with MOB Society Let’s Hear It For The Boys!
