What has been absolutely wonderful is hearing Caleb insanely giggle and squeal like he's never seen a Christmas ornament in his life. They do say it's the small things in life that make you smile the most, well needless to say this is definitely one of them. Considering that 2 years ago he could barely grunt out a sound, I'm pretty excited to hear words like ornament, lights, can I helps, etc... While I have come to the point that I don't enjoy being asked at 7am if we're going to decorate the tree, I happily oblige going to my car to get the extra string of lights that have burned out on the pre-lit tree so that we can get the ornaments on. I also happily oblige to having a 4 year old boss me around as to where "MY" ornaments should go.
It's only a matter of time until he's able to reach the top of the tree and put the star on all by himself and probably won't be so excited at that point. Really, I have to say I miss those moments already even though it hasn't come to it yet, I know in a few short years that sweet little boy might be a grumpy teenager who hates me because I said no. (Note, he threatened to live with Pappy Joe and Gaga Marsha last week because I said no...) So I'm sucking in all the cuteness now because one day I'll be able to show him how cute, helpful, and excited he was.
Outside of the Christmas realm, Caleb is doing pre-school this year at the YWCA. He loves it! He does occasionally get weepy but it's usually quickly passed. Yesterday was one of those days where he wanted me mid-day. Got a little weepy but it's been a while so I really thought nothing of it. After school we go to run our errands, he gets giddy and crazy by passing the time giggling over "chubby cheeks" (squeezing mine and his own cheeks through Wal-mart - so glad I don't care much for what people there think). I get to Five Below and dad (Pappy Joe) calls me to ask if Caleb is okay - "Yes, why??" I'm thinking Caleb was weepy at drop off. He moves on to tell me that Caleb asked him to pick him up and put him on his shoulders and that he told him he couldn't because his knees hurt. Caleb's response was, "Oh, like Big Matt." and he kind of walked away. Dad said nothing. Long story short, Big Matt passed away last week and the funeral was last Thursday. Caleb did go to viewing Wednesday night with us and was a okay. We explained that Matt wasn't in any pain anymore and he was in heaven - I think the typical answer you give a 4 year old when explaining death except with some added detail on a soul (kid is too smart for his own good). So I get him home telling Matt what he told dad and he asks Caleb about it asking if he was worried about Pappy Joe. Caleb's response, "Yes, because he hurts." He walked away and then we realized just how much he understood... Big Matt was in a lot of physical pain and needed a cane to walk in more recent months. So hopefully we can get beyond this phase of worry quickly, but then again he's his mother's child so I'm doubting it.
