Lucky 7

My boy turned 7 years old yesterday. He's officially a school-ager now. I know that by most standards, 6 is probably the milestone. But for me, since he turned 6 while he was still in kindergarten, the number 7 makes it hit home more.

I still remember the day he was born. And the first night we stayed together, at Women's College Hospital. He had the most piercing, beautiful dark eyes. Swaddled in the white blanket, he just looked at me and I could read the message coming out loud and clear. "Do you know what you're doing? You'll look after me, right?" A wave of sheer terror came over me, just an instant. But then it was followed by a beautiful sensation that I can only describe as pure love. I knew I could do it, and would try my darnedest to be the best Mom that I could. I couldn't swaddle him for the life of me, but I was sure I could handle other stuff.

Here we are years later, and I'm still learning, and still in awe that I gave birth to such a wonderful (not-so-little now) boy. He continually amazes me with his bright personality, his giving spirit, his witty humour and his love for his friends and his family.

His grandparents decided to take him on a shopping spree at Toys R Us and buy him whatever he wanted this year. Liam convinced himself a while ago that he really NEEDED a Nintendo DS. Apparently he's been asking for it for 2 years. I may have been purposefully deaf during those times, as he possesses both a Gameboy Advance and Playstation 2. When my parents came to take him to the store, here's the conversation that ensued:

Liam: "Can you come with us Mommy?"

Me: "Why, Liam? You know where it is and what you want right?"
(to be honest, I was hesitant to bring the little G along as she would surely want something too).

Liam: "Because I want to see your face."

Me: "What do you mean?"

Liam: "I want to see that look on your face when Poh Poh and Gung Gung buy me the DS.

Me: "What look?"

Liam: "The look that says - oh, here's the spoiled rotten kid again... (rolls his eyes upward, curls his lip into this snarly smirk). You always make that face when we're in Toys R Us, because you usually buy me something that you're trying not to."

I recognized that look immediately. I was staring at a mirror image of an annoyed me.

Then he gives me this huge hug. And I double over with laughter.

What a clown he is! My sweet, lovely boy!