When my boys are awake, life seems so out of control. They’re everywhere. The fridge. My hair. The cupboard. My desk drawers. The bathroom. My closet. The couch. Under my feet. EVERYWHERE!!! If a mom could capture a child’s ability to be everywhere at once, the world would be a happier and much more organized place.
Throughout the day, I study each one. They’re so individual. This astounds me each and every day. They’re raised by the same parents, eat the same foods (most of the time), live in the same house with the same chihuahaus. How can they be so different?
Because they’re so different, I can’t help but play favorites.
Aiden was my firstborn son. He was born 11 weeks prematurely after a stressful, life-threatening pregnancy. He had red hair and a cute little cleft in his chin. The absolute spitting-image of his daddy. We’d tried for years to get pregnant before being blessed with our miracle baby. When he was born by emergency c-section on my 25th birthday, it was quickly apparent to the medical staff, our families and us that Aiden was different from other babies.
Besides his 1lb, 5oz, 12 inch stature, he had a rare condition called Townes Brock Syndrome. Amongst many individualities, he had an extra thumb and a digestive system that needed to be “reworked.” He lived through multiple surgeries, but never left the NICU. His Earthly visit lasted just shy of 6 weeks. There is nothing natural about burying your child, but for all the joy, hope and love he gave to my family and me and the delicate way he held my hand, he’s my favorite son.
Kyan became a part of our family through the miracle of adoption. He’s blonde, blue-eyed, charming and surfer-boy handsome. He loves all things flora and fauna, computers, music and sports. If I was only allowed to describe him in three words, I’d use precocious, intelligent, and reckless. The combination is nothing short of terrifying for this girl.
This boy will be the death of me. If you’re a country music fan, you’ve heard the Chris Cagle song “Chicks Dig It.” That’s my Ky. I’m terrified of the teen years already. He’s so talented in so many ways, I only hope that he uses it for good and not evil. For the “You’re the best’s”, lack of boring days, and gift of motherhood, he’s my favorite son.
Jaxon is my sidekick, a true mama’s boy. He looks like me, but is the strong silent type like his dad. He’s got a sweet little lisp that makes your heart melt. He loves music, cuddling, movies and sports. His terrible two’s have turned into thunderous threes. He storms through the house like a tornado. Jax is my mess maker. For some reason, he can’t get enough of pouring stuff out from spices in the cabinet to popcorn on movie night.
He’s a quiet, patient plotter. He’ll watch and wait, and when the moment is right, he strikes. It’s simply diabolical. The worst part is, he knows that he’s absolutely, and quite devastatingly, adorable. The boy has mastered a puppy-dog eyes and “I love you” combo that challenges even the hardest veteran mom. For his tender hugs, inspiration to shop and sheer teddy-bear factor, he’s my favorite son.
Devin is my baby. Even when he’s 50, he’ll still be my baby. He’s got his daddy’s baby blues and my personality. He loves music, dancing, rocking with his dad and singing with his mom. He’s always been small for his age, but what he lacks in size, he makes up for in moxie. If you judged him on looks alone, you’d think that he’d be the underdog when it comes to the fellas in the Cooper clan, but you’d be sorely mistaken. Devi does NOT tolerate being bullied, and frankly, because he’s still pint-sized, I think it’s hilarious. I’m sure we’ll revisit this in a few years, and my view will have changed.
Unlike his brothers, he doesn’t play favorites when it comes to his parents. Ky has always gravitated to his dad and Jax is my shadow. Devi likes to keep both of us on a short leash. If one of us is holding him, he reaches for the other. He clearly dominates the roost these days. For his naughty grin, spunk and the way that he completes my family and me, he’s my favorite son.
My boys are my life. I would do anything for them. They make the world turn and the sun shine. They are my legacy. I’m truly blessed. Can you tell they’re asleep?
What makes each of your kids your “favorite”?
What a phenomenal post! I love the way you intricately described each child, and somehow, you captured the essence of loving a child for the person he IS…individually, uniquely. Loving children differently instead of the same actually helps us love them more deeply, doesn’t it?
Thank you! I love how different they are. I know that as they grow, life will offer so much more and there will never be a dull moment! ~Jessi
Keep up the amazing work!! I love how you wrote this and I also like the colors here on this site. did you create this yourself or did you outsource it to a coder??
This is a good blog. Keep up all the work. I too love blogging and expressing my opinions. Thanks
great blog ill take the info into my own home, thanks alot for sharing
I really enjoyed reading this post. Your boys sound like a fun handful. My two boys are growing up (10 & 13), and I miss the absolute fun and energy of a little boy.
I could very much relate to the feeling that the kids are everywhere; I think my four are stalking me. It’s a plot to not let me have more than 6 minutes of peace.
What beautiful things you’ve said about your boys. I have a boy and a girl so it’s hard to compare them in this way, but at every turn I see a little of me and a little of their dad in them. It is just amazing to be a parent.
I’m visiting today from the Lady Bloggers Tea Party – happy to have found you there. Have a wonderful weekend.
I love this post! I have four boys, so I know the crazy that is your life.
I was a moron this morning and accidentally posted multiple comments on the SITS site, (their stupid new format), and so I’ve been reading A LOT of blogs today to get through all the obligatory checking in that so many comments provides. I have hit the jackpot because I’ve found three new blogs to follow! So sometimes our mistakes can turn out good, eh?
Off to find your follow button!
What a beautiful post. You are ispiring me to really take a “look” at my children and capturing all that is unique and special about each one. This is really something you and your boys will treasure, thank you for sharing and yes, I could only do it when they are asleep as well. Otherwise, like you, my head is spinning trying to keep up with them. Glad to have found you:) Visiting from SITS Sharefest but I also think I’ve “found” you through Theta Mom and LB. Have a great weekend!
This is a great post. I have 5 boys and I love them all for the same reason and for different reasons. It is crazy how different they can be.
Love this! You have said it all perfectly. They all are so individual and have their own special things that make them all our favorites! Love it!
Individuals, brought up in the same way by the same parents – you could be talking about my three sons! Of course mine are much older – my baby turns 18 this year – but I love them just as much as ever and they still bring me heaps of joy.
This is a beautiful post and brought me to tears! I am so adding this to my Friday Favorites…wow this was awesome!
Thank you! I was actually afraid that it bordered on corny, but I just love them so much. They’re my best friends. I hope that every mom is as hopelessly in love with their family as I am with mine. It will keep the world turning! I’m honored to be a Friday Favorite! ~Jessi
I love this post!! So you say they’re EVERYWHERE??? ehh?? That would be something. Great to hear your adoption experience, I’m considering it myself!!
If you’re thinking about adopting and you have any questions, let me know. I wish that I had someone to talk to that had “been there” when we were going through the experience. It’s enough to drive you mad, but in the end, every drop of stress and worry was worth it. Thanks for reading! ~Jessi
Thanks!! I will take you up on that, I’m thinking and pondering about when the right time will be?!?? We’ll see how that goes…
BTW..I had to write back…I’m glad the Queen song popped into your head on my bicycle post, because that’s why I picked the title….because of that song! Goooo Queen!! LOL;o)
What an insightful look into your boys and a mother’s love. I have a 2 year old boy and love watching his personality grow. He is a jokester, a mama’s boy and is ALWAYS running. Thanks for a beautiful post.
I found you through The Lady Bloggers!
They really do light the world up. Sometimes like a sunny day and others like a firecracker! Thanks for stopping by! Woo hoo, Lady Bloggers! ~Jessi
Great post – so well written. I LOVE the picture at the top!
Cheers,
Anne
Thank you so much. My boys are my greatest inspiration for both writing and moving forward. Thanks for dropping by! ~Jessi
This is your best post yet! I thoroughly enjoyed reading it! Your Kyan sounds like my Riley – blonde hair, blue eyes, and ornery as sin! Khegan is more of the quiet instigator – he makes trouble when he thinks I’m not watching and he super sensitive and will cry for an hour over a sideways glance. Gotta love having little boys!
Thank you so much. It’s hard to narrow down what to write about them. They’re all so inspirational, in so many wonderful and terrifying ways, lol. ~Jessi