11.29.2010

I could be wrong.

Some days, when I'm feeling well rested and he's on his best behavior, when he sits at the counter and leads our conversation in astonishing directions and every task he undertakes is remarkable, I think this must be my favorite age.  He is a year and a half of perfection.  How could any other stage be better?
When he perches with one leg chicken-winged beneath him, his pink tongue touring the perimeter of his lips, carefully collecting stray hummus, I think this is it.  When he walks through a group of gathered relatives (once he's done with a preliminary peer from behind my knees) he's as social as a politician working a crowd, shaking hands and giving high fives, happily greeting people by name.  Hello twenty month Tucker, you are my unabashed favorite.  When he smiles at me and makes me feel like my very existence, my proximity to his block building, my involvement in his read-aloud routine, counts as the pinnacle of his day, possibly his lifetime, I am smitten.  Right now is ideal.  And other days, even when I'm exhausted and he's off kilter, even when he's reorganized the pantry shelves and abused his permission to open the refrigerator, when his head is slightly cocked into an apostrophe, eyebrows furrowed and face glowering, I wonder whether he'll ever be as splendid.  Surely this time between one and two is the best.  
And then I remember what it felt like when he was just a lump on my hip, an immobile bundle of digestive processes.  That was my favorite, that and the time before, when he fit so perfectly in the hammock of my arms.
Right now twenty months is my favorite.  But I'll be happy to let him prove me wrong again soon.
JEB

8 comments:

Beth Ann said...

How can he still be the cutest thing with such a scowl on his face? Must be that all he could find to sneak was Special K, at least let the guy eat something good like Kix or Cheerios : ) !!!

Poppy John said...

Wow, 20 months already?
Now I'll have to send him the Cardthartic belated birthday card that MY DAUGHTER wrote.

L2A4

Leftover thoughts...
At work on Monday, my neighbor got drug tested after lunch...because he had eaten two entire pumkin pies.

Anonymous said...

I think that too...until age 8. HA!!! Right now 5 years and 2 months is my favorite. ;)

BTW, I hope I ordered some of the cards you wrote. How do I tell? I love those cards. Love them. I stocked up on all I needed through June. Do they do Mother's/Father's Day cards?

Christy said...

I love every phase too and find myself saying the same thing. I wish the itty bitty stage lasted just a little longer. I love it when they're so tiny, and I can just sit and hold them all day. :)

Andy and Jenni said...

Tiffany, I helped with Passages #s 93478 and 93471 (my fave, also with Cherie's photo). Mom wrote 93485. We each helped with a Meanings of Life card (wedding bands and lovebirds) but those don't appear to be available online yet...
What about Little Reminder 243 as a Mother's Day card? Or Meanings of Life 1292 or 1294? One of the things Jodee is working on is removing the Happy Birthday tag from some cards, to make them more versatile. Often if I find one that's almost perfect for someone I just cross a line out myself :) Thank you for shopping the site!!
Jenni

The Wendels said...

Nope, I think you're just right.

Debi said...

I think Tucker will be a joy at every age and stage because he has awesome parents and a great sister. Saver each day with your wonderful kids.
Love and hugs and prayers,
Debi

Adam and Vicky said...

That face makes me laugh!