Apr 01 2008
First of all…
“Fur-fal…” says Jacob, who is supposed to be in his bed sleeping, but has come out in hope of stalling the inevitable. “First of all?” I ask. “Yeah, fur-fal, we need water. We need to get water from the bathroom.”
The “we” of course includes Michael, who by now is laying quietly in his bed. They have quickly learned that for whatever reason, “we” has more power to get something than “I.” Maybe it’s because I like to see them taking care of each other. Who knows.
Jacob’s language development continues to amaze me. Just 6 months ago he was still only speaking in single words, and we were getting a tad concerned that he was falling behind. Perhaps that’s because Michael at this same age spoke so clearly and in such good sentences that we (including our community members at the Farm) were amazed a child less than two could carry on such a great conversation. Being both a social worker and a mother, I walk the line between knowing I shouldn’t compare any child to another, and that each develops at his or her own pace, and knowing that when there really are problems, early identification and intervention can make a huge difference in a child’s life. I walk the line between patience and concern, between wanting him to be just like Michael and knowing that Jacob is incredibly different, just as God intended.
Now, 6 months after “more leche” was an amazing accomplishment, my little Jacob, with a hand on his hip and a coy smile on his face, tells me, “First of all, Mama.”