Stratton Turns 5!

Can you believe this baby is now 5?!

When Stratton was born the thought of him being 5 seemed so far away. So I’m constantly amazed at the fact that we have a 5 year old. It just seems so BIG and so old! I mean it’s like he’s officially now a kid, not a baby, not a toddler- a kid. He will start school soon- real school, with homework and soon it will be school sports and activities. . .  and it just seems like from this point on things will be busier and changing all the time. I know it’s just part of it, and I’m fine with it and since I have always worked and he’s always gone to daycare or school of some sort all his life, so there will be less changes for him than some kids. But there is a difference in daycare and pre-k and kindergarten. It’s bigger and busier and there is a lot less hand holding. And maybe it’s a cultural thing, but I’m feeling like him turning 5 means a lot of letting go my part. And I’m not by any means a “helicopter mom “ so it’s not necessarily about the physical aspect of me not being there, but it’s the thought of him being on a big playground with 100 other kids and trying to find his place amongst them, and him being alone in making decisions and choosing between right and wrong- it’s frightening to me! . . . I realize my struggle with all this has just begun and I will likely battle it for the rest of my life with both my kids!

But age 5 looks good on him! He now looks like he’s 6 or 7 though. . . Stratton is at least 46.5 inches tall maybe a little taller since we last measured and weighs around 45 pounds. He is tall and lanky and boney and has less than .0001% fat on his body. He has the bluest eyes, and his hair was getting a tad darker, but over the summer it’s back to white blonde again. He has the sweetest smile and funniest expressions.

Stratton takes his time. I should have picked up on this during my 36 hour labor with him, right?? He is never in a hurry and I have yet to find a way to motivate him! (a trait he comes by honestly per his father). He is very shy in large groups and doesn’t like attention. He likes to stand back and observe the situation. But now, if he is comfortable with the people he is around he will talk their ears off! He is so hardheaded. At just 5 he will back talk us and he always has to have the last word. He thinks when we say “No” the matter is still open for negotiation. (a trait that he comes by honestly from his other parent who will remain nameless).  Maybe that’s why he and I have such a difficult time. This kid knows how to push my buttons! Everything is a battle with him. I am hoping this is just a phase and he is simply testing his limits! But right now we are constantly disciplining him. I do A LOT of praying on his behalf (and mine!) these days! He is 150% all boy. Dirt, mud, sand, worms, frogs, bugs. . . .the icky and grosser the better! He loves tractors, trucks, planes and guns, swords and any kind of weapon. He is a very loving brother. He can be rough, but most of the time he wants to love on Arden and hug and kiss on her and she is the one that doesn’t like it! I would say 90% of the time she bites, pinches or hits him it’s because he will get right up in her face and baby talk her! Ha! He is just trying to be sweet most of the time, but you’d think he would learn!! He is so rough and tough. His little scrawny legs are covered in bruises, seriously, you’d think we beat the poor kid! And from his track record you can see he is a tad accident prone. He spent his 5th birthday in a cast, and I think we will all remember that!

Stratton maybe a mess sometimes and gives his momma a hard time, but he really is a sweet kid and (I’m told) he is really well behaved and so smart. There is so much about this little man that I love and I am so blessed to be his mommy. And even those these days are a bit tough, I’m not in a hurry to rush through them since I know once they are over and gone I’m sure I will miss them (as crazy as that seems some days!).