Smiles, Coos and Monsters

Caleb is growing...in more ways than one. Not only is he our little chubby monkey, but his personality has really begun to emerge. In the past week he has begun to smile at us with big toothless grins. They are all too fleeting and we have yet to catch them on camera, but once a day or so we catch him sitting around with a very pleased look on his face that breaks into a smile, letting us know that he certainly can recognize his mom and dad. Most of these open-mouthed grins are directed at daddy, who knows just how to trigger smiles and the coos that will soon become giggles and words. His little personality is certainly growing!

We had our first monster in the middle of the night. Noah was crying out and when I went to get him, he would not stand or stop crying. My first thought was that he was ill and I kept asking him where he hurt. Nothing but crying in reply. Finally, cradling him in my arms while sitting on the floor, I said to him, "Noah, you are scaring mommy. Do you feel sick?" Suddenly the words came tumbling out. "Scared. Monster. Scary Monster. There." He pointed toward his closet where the night-light makes a shadow off the dresser. In relief, I nearly laughed, but caught myself as I hugged my small boy with tears on his cheeks. The monster was very real to him...and his shaky voice and trembling hands nearly broke my heart as I hugged him. "A scary monster? Oh, Noah. That must be so scary for you. I'm here." I turned to face the monster head on. "Go away, you monster. Get out of here. You stay away." I turned back to Noah and told him that monsters are scared of mommies and daddies. I also explained that he had a special light that scared monsters away. I held his hand as we walked over and turned on the lava lamp on his book case. This light, I promised, would keep monsters out. I tucked Noah back into bed after rocking him and whispering how much I love him. Even though a few other fears have recently emerged (sudden encounters with bugs, being outside in the dark, charging rhinos on Curious George), we are now 2 weeks monster-free.