Ok, so maybe he’s more than 19 months old now, and yeah, I’m definitely way behind on posts.
One of the things that has made this post so difficult to write (as it sits right now this is the 5th attempt) is that he is changing and growing in so many different ways. It was easier back in the day when the big news was a that he could hold his head up or he didn’t poop all over us for the day. His milestones now are much less of a single moment where one thing used to not be true and something else is. Instead, there’s a constant evolution of new talents, knowledge, and abilities that seem to go in multiple directions at almost imperceptible increments each day. I can certainly see a huge difference in where he was 4-6 weeks ago from today, but can’t pinpoint when he learned a new word or started using phrases like “thank you” (or more specifically “anh ooh”) when we would hand him a snack or sippy cup. It certainly happened somewhere in the last few weeks, but I think it’d be nearly impossible to pinpoint when that turn happened.
I think that’s one of the big reason that writing this post has been so difficult. Looking back at the previous drafts, some of the things I was thinking about when I started writing seem so distant now. I can say that I’m continuing to see his personality develop and that he continually surprises me with what he hears, understands, and can react to.
One of my favorite little things of the recent weeks has been his introduction to Star Wars. I have a VERY strict policy on how Hayden will be introduced to Star Wars. Here are the rules:
- He can only watch, be introduced to, and hear references from the 1977 original Star Wars: A New Hope until he is old enough to know and appreciate the revel that comes in Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back. I expect he’ll likely be somewhere in the 6-8 year old range by the time that happens.
- The “prequels” don’t exist (yes all of them)
- If he somehow discovers these fabled failures, and he chooses to watch them, it will require a VERY serious sit down talk. This talk will likely be more in-depth, serious, and yes, dire, than the eventual birds and the bees talk. George Lucas ruined my childhood, I’m going to do what I can to make sure he doesn’t go into it hoping for a new Star Wars experience only to be let down by endless talking on couches and discussions of trade disputes (not that I’m bitter).
- If Hayden doesn’t see those three god awful movies before he reaches 18, I’ll consider it my single greatest parenting accomplishment ever.
For now, I’ll leave it at that and post a quick little video of him mimicking Chewbacca.