We have taken some mini-vacations, well ok, one mini-vacation to Six Flags with Jaden and he did really well and seemed to have a great time. We decided it was time to initiate Jaden and make him a real Sanford. I'm not sure what will happen if he doesn't enjoy cruising. Mostly kidding, but I really can't wait to watch him on his first cruise. One of the things I really enjoy about cruising is people watching; it is so much fun to watch first time cruisers and when it is someone you love it is even more fun. Ask anyone I love and they'll tell you I've either gotten them on a cruise or I'm working on it. :)
Back to Jaden...one of the things I really love about this little boy is his joy. "Pretty!" was one of his first words and he uses it frequently. Sometimes I want to say, "I don't think that word means what you think it means." but I still love that he uses it. He uses it when a waiter sets a meal that Jaden really loves on the table, or when he sees his JieJie drive by, or when I gave him his quilt, and yes even when he sees a butterfly or flower. (I know it isn't based on appearance because he used it when his GeGe gave him the really hideous, crocodile lego people.) It really means, in Jadenese, "God is good!" or something close to that. It isn't really "Thank you!" because it isn't really directed at the person that just made him happy. It just sparkles with joy, every single time he says it. I hope to hear lots of it on the ship. Both hotel rooms have been "Pretty!" and Six Flags (as seen from the highway) was also an excited, "Pretty!"
We chose to drive rather than fly so that we could break the trip up a little and so far that has proven to be a good choice. He has mostly just checked out the scenery and not-surprisingly, slept. He has done some reading, which is just too cute. He will put his serious face on and stare at a page for several minutes and then turn the page. His current favorite is "The Emperor's New Groove" book. He has seen the movie and so I'm sure that helps. We brought lots of DVD's but he has only watched one so far. My older two were always good travelers but as this was going to be his first extended time in a car seat, we were a little nervous. He has done exceptionally well. The only melt-down has been when we made a seat switch. Baba is definitely his favorite person and when Baba changed out of the drivers seat but didn't squeeze into the back seat with him, someone was not a happy camper. After some tears and the compromise that he could hold Baba's hand for a while, all was well again. He does the oddest thing when he is upset. He squeezes his eyes together so that he can't see what is going on and will sometimes even pinch his eyelids together with his fingers. I guess it is his own little escape until he can deal with the disappointment or anger when he is ready.
One of the hardest adjustments I've had is not getting used to having a 3 year old again but getting used to not being the primary parent. Jaden has had to learn that it is ok to love more than one person at a time. He didn't seem to know how to divide his love and keep both pieces whole. (That is the mystery of love isn't it? Somehow, not having lots of family to love, he missed out on that lessson in the orphanage.) He would clearly love me when it was just the two of us, or just the two of us out around other non-family but when Baba was in the room, that love for me shrunk considerably. Luckily for me, it did balloon back to normal when Baba left again. Jaden has hurt his sibs and my feelings with this behavior on and off since we got back to the States. (No flaming please, I know he is a ittle one but having love suddenly removed hurts even if you understand the root of it.) This last week has seen tremendous improvement in that. He has begun to put my hand in Tim's and then kiss them. Last night he corrected Baba when he didn't think he blessed me after a sneeze. I loved it! It not only showed me that the manners we are trying to work on are sinking in but it showed that my feelings. (I play sad if he forgets to bless me) mattered more than his worry of offending Tim for reminding him to bless me. (Wow, that was a convoluted sentence!) Last night, I announced to the family that I was going to take a nice relaxing bath and that I'd like a little privacy. You wouldn't think you'd have to say that but Mitch is the only one in the family that isn't prone to joining me in the bathroom. When Jaden heard me running the bath, he came running. I'm not above using his preference for Baba and so asked if he wouldn't rather play with Baba to which he replied, "Nope! This is Mama and Jade bath!" Well ok. How could I resist that?
I'll try to add some pics but everyone else is currently sleeping and so it may have to be later.
Blessings and thanks for being a part of Jaden's life. :)
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