five.

I have to say that motherhood has been the most lovely adventure I've been on so far.  

It all started five years ago for me.  I was completely clueless -- as we all are, no matter how many books we read or classes we drag our husband to prior to the birth. The idea of raising another human, a sweet little baby, seemed pretty neat to my naive brain -- then he was placed in my arms and all of a sudden the concept of motherhood was overwhelming and too all-important a thing to even fathom.

My focus became this kid.  I quit my job, a job I truly liked and where I was on track for another promotion, two weeks after I went back to work after maternity leave without much of a backward glance...I knew exactly where my heart was and what I wanted to be spending my days doing.  I don't think this is necessary/healthy for every mama out there...but for me it was.  I had prayed fervently that God would lead me where he wanted me to be...and He gave me a clear answer.

Hanging out with this kid.  Learning to be a mama.  Still learning.

Cormac still rocks my world almost every day.  Now having the experience of being both a boy and a girl mom, I see the differences and they are lovely.

Cormac has endless thoughts running through his head, and is constantly buzzing with the energy of one who is trying to get the most out of every moment of his day.  Even when he is watching a show on TV, he is also bouncing on the couch or building a trap.

He loves to draw out plans for tanks, ships, and treasure maps.  I enjoy watching his magical world of adventure enfold every day.

He is super bossy and quite controlling.  I think this may be a "first child" thing, but wow!  He thinks he gets to make all the rules and if they are not followed to a T he can get quite worked up.  We are working on how to be an effective leader, not a tyrant.

I know we live in a parenting world where we are supposed to turn up our noses at our kids having lots of toys ("don't spoil them!!!!"  or "get those kids outdoors, not in their room!") but I'll openly admit that I delight in Cormac's obsession with toys.  (Finola does not have this at all.)    I love the stories he makes up about his "guys" and finding fake spiders everywhere and hearing him make sound effects to go along with all his elaborate stories.   I love that he gets SO excited about cool stuff he sees at Target (like his mama.)  I think maybe it is not even the toy aspect, but just seeing my kid have such JOY about something!  You see the eyes light up and how exuberant he gets telling you all about whatever it is...and that is just plain cool to me.   I remember being like that about things...and still am about certain things.   Nothing compares to a child's joy, though.

He is still a bit small for his age, but smart and healthy.   I'll take it!

His emotions run the gamut!  He feels every feel really fully, which I can totally relate to.

Cormac completed his second year of pre-school and did awesome!  He now can easily write his name and count past one hundred.  He gets kinda frustrated with sounding out words...but we've discovered that he does better with an online phonics program he can navigate independently rather than someone teaching him one on one.

Here are some of my favorite photos from the past year of my favorite little boy in the whole wide world...

On a Target date with mama.  He always picks Target for our dates...which is awesome.

He loves finding sticks that magically transform into weapons.  Notice Finola "hiding" in the background!

first day of 4's pre-school!  

enjoying the snow!

very sweet with small babies, like his cousin Sloane.

hanging with sis at the library.

this couch, fairly new, has already taken a beating from constant jumping, fort making, and lounging weirdly.

5th bday!  this is pre-party at our house...darth vader theme, as he loves "bad guys" 

a darth vader costume was a must.

Birthday party fun!  This was the first party where we stuck with inviting his "friends" -- a loose term at five, but still cool to actually see some relationships that have bloomed!

Very skeptical during his first hibachi grill experience.  He is skeptical about most things. 

Dressed as the hulk.  He loves putting on costumes!

Creepy faces are his jam.

I'm sure this was totally safe (photo taken by Dada) 

Tried soccer this year.  He didn't love it.

Forever this kid is picking flowers for mama.

Singing in his Christmas program - went better this year!

Helping mama make his favorite cookies for Santa-- chocolate chip with M&M's!

Mama and son.  His looks favor his Dada overall...but he's got my eye color, nose and lips!

Collecting shells on the beach during our Gulf Shores trip.  He always finds a project to do!

This kid has my heart.

He built the throne behind that Finola is sitting on -- he was so proud!

Halloween is still hands down his favorite holiday!

As a creepy skeleton for Halloween!

Blowing out the candles at his bouncy house party!

So five years have passed in a heartbeat.

From the moment I first held you, all gooey and new...

...to barely being able to get you to stop moving for a hug at your 5th birthday party!

   

The world is yours, little Mac!  I hope year six is amazing and full of new adventures!

(For both of us!)