Some fun Jordy moments! (I hope someone enjoys these...I just spent over an hour trying to figure out how to upload these because the videos were too big at first. Grrr...but it was still more fun than doing my reading, or research, or the dishes, or... ☺)
This is one of the few moments when Jordy let me put him in his bouncer. He's wearing his favorite: the bunny dress! (I can't tell you how many times I get "wapped" in the face with those stupid bunnies while he's sleeping!) He's trying to figure out what those toys are doing in front of him...
Jordy: Talking at 1 o'clock in the morning!
Smiling with Dad!
The other day when I was trying to change Jordy with lightning-speed as he was screaming at me, (even though I wasn't the one that made poop go all the way up his back- in fact, I was the one HELPING him!) I had this little realization:
I've had my own "traumatic" diaper-changing moments in my life.
And then, the more I thought about it- the more I realized there are MANY valuable life lessons that Jordy is teaching me.
Here are a few so far:
1. Life is like a diaper change. Maybe not literally. (I still like thinking life is more like a box of chocolates than a diaper...) But I realized this: Jordy screams and gets so upset when he's getting changed, not realizing that what's happening is really GOOD for him. No matter how many times he's been through it before, he always seems to forget that it lasts a short time and that he feels so much better when it's over. How many times do I get so upset in the moment- even when I know that whatever discomfort I may be going through is only temporary, and that I'll feel better after?
2. Jordy is so "quick to forgive": One minute he can be so upset and red in the face, and then, (hopefully) within a few minutes, he's snuggling into me or even giving me smiles. It's made me think- would I be that happy if I would just not hold grudges against people?
3. Simplicity is key: All Jordy really asks for is a clean diaper, some food every couple of hours, a little attention now and then, and a nice comfortable place to sleep. Wow. I feel so high-maintenance and selfish and greedy compared to him. For example: I have so many clothes that I don't even end up wearing- yet, I don't like what I have and always am looking for others --> Jordy wouldn't care if he wore the same 3 outfits every day. He just cares about the ESSENTIALS. The other day I had to watch a movie about repairing cleft palates in India and other third-world countries for one of my classes. There I was watching it on my big TV, sitting on my couch, in a comfortable home- watching a little 8-year-old walk barefoot for hours to get to the city so she could get her cleft lip fixed. Talk about feeling humbled. Sometimes I feel frustrated as I'm running from one place to another, juggling an upset Jordy in my arms and I've thought, "why is this so hard?" Ha. Because I MAKE it hard! I really should be thinking about how blessed I've been to have so many opportunities.
Another twist on the simplicity theme: The few times I've been able to put Jordy down for a couple minutes- I always feel like I have to try getting a million things done (as I've realized there is a limit to what can really get done one-handed) Yet, seeing as I only have 10-15 min. or so...I've had to prioritize what is most important and what REALLY needs to get done first. If the dishes sit in the dishwasher for another day...oh well! Jordy "helps" take the mystery out of knowing what are the most important things to do and has helped redefine what daily "successes" are (ie: getting dressed, getting something for dinner, etc!)
4. Independence is a blessing. As much as I enjoy being at Jordy's every "beck and call" (quite literally)- it's made me think how different my life would be if I depended on someone else for EVERYTHING- getting dressed, eating, changing, etc. (I know that I still do rely on so many--I don't think I will ever be entirely independent!) But at least I don't have to wear a diaper anymore...
5. It's kind of a given with what I'm studying and all-- but I've again seen how important COMMUNICATION is! (Remind me of this when Jordy is a teenager and I wonder why I ever taught him to speak!)
6. We have a quote in our kitchen/dining room that says: "We shall never know all the good that a simple smile can do." Jordy is living proof of this! Ü There have been times that I just don't think I can do another day of screaming and crying...and then he'll smile at me and I think that Jordy couldn't be more perfect! I seem to forget about all those frustrating moments with that big cheesy grin of his! He really can brighten my day!
7. Trusting others. Something I have a VERY hard time doing- yet- Jordy does this every day, all day long. He has to trust that someone will feed him, and keep him safe. What if I trusted others that much?
8. The other day in my primary class the lesson was supposed to highlight how Jesus had started as a baby and then grew up choosing the right-- so I asked those 4 year-olds if they thought a baby could do different things right away, and they said no. I told them they were right, babies have to be taught things. Then one little girl blurted out "just like a dog! You have to teach a dog to do stuff." Although that wasn't exactly the point I was hoping to get across- it did make me realize she had a point. It is up to me/us to teach Jordy pretty much everything initially (somehow he's got crying down and I know I didn't teach him that!) That hit me hard: YIKES! I'M responsible for teaching him something! What on earth can I teach him?! But I think more than any facts I can pass along to him- he's going to learn by example-I know I learned so much from the excellent examples of my parents and others around me- A reminder to me to be the kind of person I want Jordy to see and learn from.
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