Tomorrow is Simon's third birthday. I know, it's the birthday that comes after the second, but I can't put into words how awesome, scary and fascinating it is. Sometimes, Diana and I look at each other and say, "Holy crap, we're parents." Now we've been parents for three years.
Simon really has been the focus of our lives, while we balance our needs for work, hobbies and marital bliss. It's a juggling act at times, but I think we're exceptionally better at it than we were a year ago. If I'm being honest, the burden is more heavily on Diana as the stay-at-home mom. I have to remember to check in with her frequently, before I assume it's going well, because for eight hours a day, five days a week, I'm not there to see.
Given his age, it comes as no surprise that we deal with a lot of tantrums, a lot of testing of boundaries, and endless food preference issues. Again, Diana takes the brunt of this, but he has no problem pushing my buttons either. The hardest thing for me is to accept that this is normal, it's not personal, and I have to keep my emotions in check because Simon doesn't know how to yet. It's a completely unnatural thing for someone who hasn't raised a child before, because when adults do stupid shit, you get angry at them because they know better. Little folks don't know better.
While Simon is still a little behind on some of his motor skills and speech, he is coming along. The personality that's emerging is something to behold. Sure, he imitates some things that he sees and hears, but there are little things that seem entirely his that makes us laugh and smile. As his communication skills slowly improve, I find we're having discussions with this little person who couldn't even sit up on his own two years ago. That's wild to think about.
I totally see how parents get so into believing they have the most special kid ever. Every kid goes through this developmental process, but you're convinced that it's a unique miracle. And really, that's OK, because it makes me happy.
That's what's so kickass about being Simon's dad. It makes me happy. I think we all go through a period in our lives where we strive to be happy on our own accord, so it's kind of a surprise when you bring this little human into your life who also can make you happy.
Happy birthday, Simon! I can't wait to see what you do next!
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