Friday, July 26, 2019

Two

Dear Little Man Cub,

Today you are two. Or maybe it's tomorrow which is your today? You're a million miles away from us geographically speaking, but never more than a millisecond from our thoughts.


Your mama made a video filled with snippets of your life this past year, and it's fun to see how much you've grown and changed. You're a full-fledged toddler boy now ready to take on the world, a new country, and a baby brother.

You like to lay your head on your mama's belly and say 'Awww'. I pray you and your brother are best buds from day one the same way your mama and auntie are and always have been.

Peas in a pod.
That's my prayer.

While everything about you is my favorite thing here are a few of my most favorite right now-

Grace. This tops the list because it's new and precious and tells me your heart is oh so tender. When a plate of food is put in front of you (definitely one of your favorite things) you stretch your arms out wide and grab the hands of the people beside you and shout GRACE!!

Everyone snaps too and smiles big and tries not to laugh as we bow our heads and say 'God is great God is good....' Then we say Amen and you say Amen, but you raise your hands high above your head when you say it so we all add a great big hallelujah and it just makes my heart beat wild with delight.

The way you love boats, planes, trucks, and trains, particularly one called Thomas. The world can say what it will, but I think loving all things that go is wired into a little boy's DNA.

Your minor obsession with rolling suitcases, backpacks, coolers, anything with wheels you can pull along behind you.

Your major obsession with balls of all sizes, shapes, colors, and sport. Footballs, baseballs, basketballs (or hoop as you like to call it), golf balls, balloons (boons) that look like balls, bubbles that look like balls, balls in books, people playing ball on TV,  the moon when it looks like a ball...just give you all the balls.

Books. Your current favorite is My First Book of Korean Words which I've read approximately 725 times in the last couple of weeks. You like the sing song rhyming and words that make you giggle-echwi (ahchoo!), kkachi (meaning magpie-that double k is fun to say), and especially the part where Nana reads the 'gimchi is so spicy it will make you squeal' and then we squeal.

Other current favorites are Bee-Bim-Bop (can't wait to taste some with you!), Fiddle-I-Fee, and In a People House. 

The way you say Korea when we ask you where you're moving-"Key-ee-ah"
The fact that when we ask you where you're moving you know the answer is Korea.


Doing laundry. Who knew this task could be so much fun? You like to help me put clothes in the washer and later in the dryer, but you especially love pushing all the buttons to make it go. Sometimes too many buttons and sometimes Nana isn't quick enough and you turn the machine off mid-cycle and we have to start over, but you don't mind.

The way you ask me for a 'bite' when I have a drink in my hand.

The way you say crouton, helicopter, gobbledygook, and onomatopoeia

The way you call me Didi. I know you're saying Nana but it comes out as Didi and now I'm loving Didi so maybe that name will stick. Secretly I'm hoping so.

The way you wake up happy and go to bed happy and sleep like a teenager and how you love to sit at the counter with a bowl of cereal like your Daddy and I get a glimpse of the actual teenager you will be one day.


The way you pronounce your Aunt's name. The way you look for her as soon as you wake up. The way she turns an almost melt down into something just the opposite. The way she is your person and how we all need someone to be our person and how lucky you are to know she's yours.


The way you want all the people you love close by.
In this way more than any other you are your mother's son.


Happy birthday my travelin' toddler boy-


You are so very precious and your Nana/Didi loves you deep and wide.

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He makes straight your paths." Proverbs 3:5-6

11 comments:

  1. Joyce, this is so precious and I’m so glad you wrote all this down to keep. They grow so fast and 3 will bring its own favorite things and the 2’s will be forgotten. “Ball” was our son’s first word and he too loved all things ball shaped. “Motor- ki-cul” came shortly afterward, thus his love for anything with wheels that went fast. Yes, despite public opinion, little boys have built in DNA. Your post brought back my own sweet memories. Thank you.

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  2. I cry for you EVERY time I read your blog...only because I imagine your heartache right now. But your daughter is going to thank you tenfold for understanding this move. Hard as it is to watch them be so independent, it’s our underlying goal as parents. But damn!!! It’s so hard. But you’re being so strong for them. It’ll be ok Didi....when that toddler gets back to you, you’ll love him in another all new level as a little boy!
    Seems that whatever comes out of firstborn grandchilds mouth is what it will end up being. I wanted Crazee but ended up being YaYa!!
    I have 3 sons and 3 of the 6 grands are boys ~ yes one of their chromosomes is nothing but zoom zoom! Trucks and balls and go fast. I never even knew it was possible for a child to sit quietly with a toy/doll until I had these granddaughters...
    Time will help make it better. Your strength amazes me.....you need some girlfriend trips to go and be wild!!!?

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  3. Such blessings here, Joyce. Thanks for sharing the photos and your heart with us.

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  4. Well, for the 77th time I will say, you have such a way with words! This is so sweet and I do love the name DiDi for you. Keep us posted! I'm so glad for Facetime and I know it will be the lifeline between all of you. Have a great weekend and what a cute, cute little boy!

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  5. I love following Mancub's journey and comparing notes - our 2 year old grandson is obsessed with balls too. Can't wait to see Korea through your eyes and words because I'm sure a trip is planned.

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  6. Happy 2nd Birthday Man Cub! Such a sweet post for a special little boy. He's as precious as can be.

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  7. I’m finishing up a week with my twin boys. It’s been so similar to what you wrote. The love of balls and books - the new words popping out. The joy in walking (fast) and pushing things on wheels,including the stroller. It’s great to be a Mimi, or Nana/Didi!!

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  8. What a delightful post! Happy Birthday to Tommy!

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  9. One day I hope little Tommy reads what his "Didi" wrote about him. This is so precious.

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  10. You had me turning into "grandma goo"

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  11. I just stopped by to catch up a bit. It looks like you've had a busy summer, so far. I had no idea your daughter and her family were moving to Korea! Oh, wow! Anyway, belated happy birthday wishes to your mancub! He's so precious. Our oldest grandson, Caden, loved Thomas the train, too. Kathy (Reflections)

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