Monday, February 15, 2010

Run Forrest, Run......

Do you remember that part in the movie in Forrest Gump where Jenny tells Forrest to run from the bullies (I think that is the part) and he runs so fast and so hard that his leg braces break apart and collapse on the ground as he runs fast and free?

Well, we had our own version of that today, kinda....but minus the bullies and the braces. ;)

Actually...it was like this. Today we found ourselves having lunch at The Yard House at an outdoor mall and the boys were given frozen strawberry popsicles at the end of their meals...didn't know The Yard House did that, but anyway they do. So, instead of having their strawberry drippings all over my car we walked around a bit until they could finish them....Reid was about two-thirds of the way done with his messy drippy popsicle when I heard him squeal and then start running...

I am not talking running...I am talking "bookin it" running and like Forrest's braces exploded Reid's popsicle started exploding and red ice chips flung all over and fell to the ground as he wove himself in and out of people's legs running as fast as his own little ones would go. (I seriously had images of that movie as this was happening).

I began chasing him afraid he would fall with the popsicle stick in his mouth but then started busting up when I caught him and looked ahead to see what had caught his little eye and threw him in this frenzy...the Merry Go Round.

His eyes were huge and he was ecstatic...so of course we indulged, even big brother could not resist the cuteness of it all and accompanied Reid for a Ride.

You know what I loved sooo much about this moment....was how excited and free and engaged Reid was.

I noticed this same thing on Saturday when we were at a birthday party for a little friend at the park....he ran all over that playground and climbed the ladders and stairs to get to the slides and play equipment just like everyone else. He sat and ate pizza and cake and was acting silly and goofy like everyone else...(I love the picture of him being goofy and trying to hide his face at the table). He even sat quietly and attentively as she opened her presents, like everyone else.


And then again I noticed it at various times this past weekend, this new engagement level, as Luke and Reid were playing with nerf guns...Reid would bust up giggling when a nerf bullet hit him and he would dramatically twirl around on his feet and fall to the ground with an "awwww" as in "awww, you got me", only to get up and sign for more. Or as the two of them played secret agents with all Luke's "Spy Gear" he has acquired over the year. Luke nicknamed Reid "Stealth" for this game and gave him special missions to accomplish (which usually meant "getting" Momzilla as Luke nicknamed
me). It was so fun to watch them, and so fun to watch Reid being so engaged and engaging in his own right. Though, we did hear at one point Luke ask us..."Tell me again why all my secret agents are babies??" LOL...I just love him.

....but I saw it, I noticed it......a change, a growth, a coming into his own for Reid.

As a mom who cried her eyes out when he was born, so afraid of what the future held for him, I am so full in my heart to see who he is, who he is becoming, to see him so free, so alive, so uninhibited and joyful, and so absolutely breathtakingly adorable and lovable! ....it is food to my soul!


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14 comments:

my family said...

what a great feeling, you have the cutest secret agents ever

Anne and Whitney: Up, Down and All Around said...

I love it! What a wonderful post - and what fun pictures!!!! Looks like all of your hard work is paying off, momzilla :)

Pia said...

Cheri, What a blessing to read and more importantly to know how God makes no mistakes:)

HiKaliberr said...

Simply put - INSPIRING. So beautiful to read about your family's journey, and especially Reid's. I hope we can get our boys together sometime to hang out and just be...kids! Love your blog, my dear. Thank you for sharing.(Heather-mommy to Quinn, Pierce & Aurelia)

Mel said...

I love the photo of Reid tucking into a piece of cake- the concentration on his face is priceless. As for your secret agents, I think you might have your hands full there! Like mine, your two boys look like a formidable team :)

Nan P. said...

Reid seems indeed to be getting to a different level. Great for him, and so re-assuring for you! Lovely all around.

Cathal also does the head tilted on the shoulder thing, but it usually means "I am pretending to be all shy and cute, but I am not really shy, and I want you to come over and talk to me, and play with me, but I'll pretend to be shy for another while because I got your full attention that way..."

... And it works every time, with me anyway ;-)

Jen said...

I couldn't resist "following your blog" after I found it through the ever increasingly popular "enjoying the small things" blog. I am new to this blog world, and I am amazed at the community of families with children who have Ds who blog. It is so awesome and empowering to know that the feelings I had a mere 11 months ago are shared by moms everywhere. Your precious Reid and handsome Luke are both adorable and I look forward to reading more!

Cheri said...

Jen I am so glad you found me and so glad you left a comment. I too am amazed at the huge support system that is out their in blogland for all of us traveling this road...so glad to "meet you" ;).

Heidi said...

Wow - he is doing so well! What a great post!

Glogogo said...

I love this story Cheri. I must make one little correction however-Reid was sitting the most still while presents were being opened and being the most well behaved little guy there! LOL!! He is amazing. I am SO blessed to be friends with you and to get to know him. I love the spy picts. My sister read your blog and suggested you write a book. Have you ever thought of doing that?
Love you all, Gloria

Kele said...

Cheri, I am soooo crying as I write this! I love this post... I am not even his mama but as I read every word of this post I felt so proud, so pleased and so emotional, as if he were my own!
From the birthday party to playin with big bro, it is all beautiful!
I love you Reid!

Monica Crumley said...

I can see why you'd be so proud of your little (BIG!) guy. He really looks like he's changing in such good ways and I love how the two boys are just so perfect for each other. I love to see him climbing, tackling that HUGE piece of cake, being a secret agent and just all around being a kid... like any other kid. Great post.

Unknown said...

He is such a joy, always brings smiles to me! It's amazing how it makes you feel when 'they' who they are, what is inside of them start to emerge. Hope one day to meet that littleguy and his sweet family!

Sharon said...

He is adorable! I can feel his joyful spirit through these pictures and also feel the love between him and his brother. You are truly blessed.