So, those who know me (or have gotten to know me through reading) know that there is one person on this earth that I love more than anyone or anything else under heaven. I was going through pictures of Lil Brown the other day and the transformation – in this short period of time – has left me dumbfounded. I stumbled across an old video clip of him crying at about a month old. He sounded so fragile, scared, and unsure of the world around him. Although a big baby by imperial standards, he was so small! Most of those soft, fragile cries have been replaced by fussiness and he’s become quite demanding.
Lil Brown was jaundiced when he was born, so he had to be in the open crib with the tanning lamps and the reflective shades. He looked like he was having his own little rave party. I’ll always cherish the fact that I was the very first person to hold him upon his arrival. It didn’t feel real for the longest time.
Over these months, I’ve seen him grow and evolve at a rate at which I was not prepared. I still remember giving him his first bath. I was so nervous about possibly scalding him, I ran the water too cold. Needless to say, when his little body hit the water, it was a spectacle. He turned beet-red, let out a yell, and the tears fell. Lil Brown was so mad, he stretched out and next thing we knew, he was peeing on the wall! That’s all it took to break the tension. I stopped and just laughed. His mom was mortified. I guess you could call that the first “Bleachable Moment.”
I remember the first time he realized he could splash water in his tub: bath night has not been the same since. It’s as if I took a bath with him. There’s just as much water on me as him. Over this time, I’ve also become his personal hairdresser (seriously). Meticulously tending to the curls and waves has become a point of pride for me. Tuesdays and Saturdays: Bath Night with the Browns – epic!
What has really blown me away is his physical, emotional, social, and motor development. It’s tough to put into words how this little person has just exploded. From needing everything done for him, to displaying his limited independence has been a joy to see. If I blink too hard, he may be ready for pre-school. I’m so thankful for a healthy, vibrant, bouncing baby boy! I truly love being his dad.
-MB
