Spidey-Man

Early in the month, Thing 1 had his mighty 4th birthday.  He is the oldest of the little ones, even though he doesn't always seem to be so.  He has had a hard life and it shows in some real insecurities.  He whines (a lot) and is quick to cry when his feelings are hurt.  He wants to be the very center of attention all the time--not in a big, loud way, but in a no-one-else-better-be-getting-anything-or-doing-anything-or-sitting-on-Mom-without-me sort of way.  He wants to know exactly what to expect each and every day and does not adjust to changes in the schedule very well.  He is very worried about when he will next eat even if his mouth is full of food from the current meal.  When I tuck him in each night he asks me about breakfast and is not satisfied with vague answers.  He NEEDS to know that he will get cereal (or toast or oatmeal) when he wakes up.  Those traits can get annoying, but how sad is it to have had the sort of life at the ripe old age of 4 that makes you feel so unsettled all the time?  He is a good big brother.  He is so, so affectionate, which is amazing since it took him quite a while to even want to be near any of us.  He runs and gives me the very best hugs anytime I enter the room, and the hugs feel like he is giving them from the bottom of his soul and like he cannot get enough.  He is a quick learner and loves books and puzzles and time to color or play games (as long as he wins).  He loves his visits with his mom and definitely considers our home to be very temporary, although he sometimes talks about us painting the house white and watching Spiderman movies so it will be more like his other home.  He has brought a super hero obsession to this house, where now even Wee One sings the Batman song.  He will introduce himself to anyone who will listen, and I will forever remember him walking across my driveway with an immediate, "My name is ________."  He was the most depressed little one we have had in those first days.  He wanted to sleep all day long.  He screamed each night for his grandma, his dad, and his mom.  He needed the light on each and every night for months and still will turn the bathroom light back on if I turn it off.  Nightlights are not enough to make him feel safe from the ghosts in his little head.  After the first visit with his mom, he relaxed.  He memorized his visit days, and seemed able to join the living again.  Knowing his schedule, that he lives with us for now, when he will eat, and that he will see his mom on Tuesdays and Thursdays comforts him.  We love this little complicated man and cherish the trust he is putting in us and the love he gives us.  Just this week he has started saying, "I love you, Mom," in a very firm, strong way as I close his door for the night.  I pray for a future filled with peace and security for this little guy--oh, and  one with superheros galore!

Chocolatey cereal for his birthday breakfast.  He asked about chocolate cereal a lot in the first weeks he was here.  It is not a normal choice for us, so it made for a great birthday surprise.