the last time i posted, seb had snap crackled popped his head open and it had been stitched up rather nicely while we diverted him with talk of his birthday party.
one week later, the stitches are out, the birthday party has been had, and today, sebastian turned five. "a whole hand" he said wonderingly, as he pressed his open hand against mine.
sebastian is five. years. old.
i can remember when he was five days old, and wondering where time had gone. had this bald creature only been cracking and chafing the inside and out of my chest for five days?
and five weeks, i wondered where time had gone. so many pictures i could and should have taken, so many moments lost.
at five months, i started attending mother's groups and started listening and wondering where time had gone. so many opportunities lost to increase my child's future academic performance. why hadn't i been using flash cards already? why hadn't i been playing classical music 24/7? why did i wear colours instead of exclusively black and white? where had time gone? each week represented a lost iq mark. my child, my future academic unachiver, my fault for slacking.
at five years, i look at him , forearms drifting out of the arms of pajamas that just yesterday i thought i bought. words and arguments bursting out of him. excitement in the world and his place in it, and the possibilities for him. questions that appear, in the pattern of all children, right before bedtime. there are new moles on his face that weren't there last year. a couple on his back.
his little four pack, and muscular legs. he is a much better football player than he was last year. he's no beckham, but he is steady. and while he isn't the fastest runner, he can run long distances. not easily winded is our boy.
he has a line in the school play this year. he is a wise man. we are learning it together. his high pitched voice will be encouraging the other wise men to find the baby king. the same high pitched voice that encourages me to find the gum, chippies, yakult, sausages and chocolate dipped biscuits in park n shop and doesn't get too upset when i say, "they're not on the list this week".
sebastian and i were reading a book together the other day, franklin and harriet, i think. and he described the scene from a picture perfectly. "sebastian!" i said, and smiled because the old eyeballs were getting a little moist.
and he looked at me and said, "i know mummy, i know. i'm cwacking your heawt, aren't i."
he's five.
today.
With tears in my eyes, I smile. Smile because Seb has grown into such a handsome and precious five-year-old. A year and a half ahead of my little man who I THOUGHT I gave birth to just yesterday. But it seems that I am wrong. Every day I am reminded of just how quickly time does pass.
Happy Birthday wishes and kisses to Seb. We love you!
Posted by: Tammy | November 30, 2006 at 10:55 PM
Happy Birthday Sebbie.
Auntie will call you with belated wishes when she knows you will actually be home,because you are 5 now you have a social schedule that is far more busier than mine!!
Lots of Love ,
Auntie Pammie ( Pannie)
xoxoox
Posted by: Auntie Pammie | November 30, 2006 at 11:48 PM
five years and five weeks here. no, it wasn't just yesterday. it was the day before yesterday! really. that's all it was. and now kindergarten? tomorrow college? weird. i'm not old enough to have a five year old.
happy birthday seb!
Posted by: knobody | December 01, 2006 at 02:53 AM
Beautifully written Tess. HAPPY BIRTHDAY SEBASTIAN!
Five is a delightful age - what fun adventures you will have together.
Posted by: SheilaC | December 01, 2006 at 03:21 AM
Happy Birthday Sebastien. You are well and truly loved. People all over Canada are thinking of you and the joy you bring to the world.
Posted by: Lala | December 01, 2006 at 04:08 AM
Awwwwwwwwwwwww. Amazing how quickly they grow! Love you Sebastian! Happy Birthday!
Posted by: Carrie | December 01, 2006 at 06:05 AM
Happy birthday Sebbie . It doesn't seem that long ago when your mum was 5 years old and '' cwacking '' hearts too.
Love to all, Grandad Blake
Posted by: Grandad Blake | December 01, 2006 at 09:39 AM
Happy Birthday Seb...you are all of a hand of fingers old now!! Tess...enjoy it! Your little boy is a litte man these days!!
Love to you all!
Posted by: Lois | December 01, 2006 at 10:59 PM
Wow!! i didnt realize Seb was FIVE! The time does fly.. Hope your birthday was great! Never fear Tess, he will always be your little baby (I held an 11 yo on my lap just today ;-))
xoxoxoxo
Posted by: Tonya | December 04, 2006 at 11:48 AM