My son has been cranky the past couple of days. Follows mom around, whines if someone leaves or looks at him wrong. Coughing, a little crud under his nose. And a fever yesterday. Time to call the doctor, make an appointment.
I got to take him in this evening. I love the chance to get him alone without his big sister to speak for him, act for him. He's a different kid when she's not around. They love playing together but as the "big sis" she dominates most interaction. I don't think that's going to last much longer. He's two now, and is approaching big kid status himself. Physically he's almost as big as she is.
Anyway, alone with my son. He comes alive, starts talking and pointing out everything. "Burd!" "Sqwrl!" "Dert!, ewwwww." Grabs my hand and holds on tight as we cross the street. Then doesn't let go when we reach the sidewalk again. I soak up his attention and he doesn't even know.
The clinic has a fishtank with an orange and white fish, so of course that's "Nemo!" He watches the fish, takes a seat, regards the other kids with that mix of openness and suspicion kids have. One of the girls in the clinic gives him a book every time he sits down. "Dank do," he says, and she says "You're welcome." Social graces at two. Watch out, ladies.
In the screening room he says "hi" and wanders around. Takes the ear thermometer without a problem, stands on the scale like a big boy, and asks for a sticker. His fever is running again, not too high but enough to flush his little cheeks. The nurse gives him a sticker, which he asks me to peel and stick to his arm. Peels it off. "Ow," he says. Then sticks it to his cheek. "Ow," he says again. Does that for ten minutes. Discovers Dad's cheek and sticks it to his. "Ow," says I.
In to see the doctor. Two ear infections, a condition which I am unfortunately very familiar with. I had multiple sets of tubes when I was a kid, along with assorted other ear problems, one of which rendered me nearly deaf in my right ear. I don't want that for him. Antibiotics in hand, we leave. He tells the doc "bye-bye" on the way out.
Took him on some more errands and he kept up his discourse the whole way. I didn't understand half of it, but I wouldn't have stopped him for the world.
Back home, had dinner and then set up all the ingredients for chocolate-chip cookies (with oatmeal!) in kid-friendly containers. Set up the mixer and had the kids help by dumping the stuff in when it was supposed to. They spilled some chips. Bonus! Hoovered them up before I could call a halt. Such fun.
Bathtime by Dad, and when they emerge they are pink-cheeked, shiny-haired little monkeys with clean teeth and PJs on. Military precision, bedtime style. Bedtime horsey rides with much tickling and kiddy giggles.
Today goes in the deepest places of my heart. For those inevitable times when I'm gone, when they're sick or sleeping over or too grownup for cuddling but too young to understand. Just a normal day full of life and wonder.
