I don't quite know how to express the joy this little boy brings me on a daily basis. Of course he is an almost 2 year old and throws his daily fits, way over uses the word "MINE" and continues to color on himself and everything he can get his hands on. But he is also one of the sweetest, most loving toddlers I have ever met. I love all my kids, but Collin has found a special place in my heart. He has always been a mama's boy and clings to me whenever he can. But lately he has really loved playing with or even seeing his Dad. We will walk into sacrament meeting and Collin will yell out and point, "DAD!" to Cordelle up on the stand. When Cordelle walks into a room Collin will scrunch up his nose and with a cheesy grin, say "Hieeee." But most memorably, Cordelle is the person that can get him to do his deep throaty laugh that kind of sounds like he's clearing his throat and laughing at the same time. We all get a kick out of that when we hear it. He loves his Dad.
Just recently he has perfected the names of Jaquelle and Seth. He loves calling them from downstairs like I do, when its time for dinner, or like his dad, pointing at them and saying their names when they walk into a room. Collin and Seth have a fun relationship where Seth can get him to repeat anything he wants and then Seth laughs hysterically at his rendition. Seth loves Collin and Collin follows him like a little puppy dog, not missing a chance to cuddle him or hug him. We have all learned and felt special when Collin decides to grace us with his hugs. For weeks after family prayer, when we would say amen, Collin would jump up screaming "HUGS!!", to which he would go around to each member of the family lay his head on their shoulder and say "ahhhohh." It was drama for the other kids if he decided to be a stinker and say HUGS only to run away thinking himself so funny for leaving them high and dry.
But one of my favorite relationships I have seen lately is between Collin and Jaquelle. While Seth was at school she got the most one on one time with him. She mothers him, makes him wear jewlry, or teaches him dances with twirls and singing at the top of their lungs, but he loves it and loves her attention. She is the one that can make him do anything. Even if he doesn't want to come inside or give up the marker, Jaq can simply put out her hand and say "hand" to which he replies "hand" and they run off together. She takes good care of him and he knows if mom is not around, she will bring him comfort. I have loved watching my older kids just adore him and fight over who gets to play with him and win for his attention. I love that they get a kick out of his funny faces and silly mannerisms almost as much as I do.
Collin is obedient and immediately does anything I ask of him, provided on his way he doesn't get distracted by a toy or sand, or well anything really. He loves shoes, Thomas, Buzz, Mickey and Mater. He is the best 1 year old soccer player I've ever seen and I still can't get over the fact that after watching game after game of Seth's, he taught himself how to do a throw in by completely putting the ball behind his head and throwing it perfectly in. :) He is a little lefty and we always get a kick out of how much energy he puts into kicking the soccer ball 4-5 inches. I could watch him run all day though because his whole body gets into it and his legs and arms are working way harder for the speed they are actually going.
Collin loves all things soft, and any time I want to cuddle with him, all I have to do is get out a comfy blanket, pillow case or stuffed animal and he'll come running. He's even gotten to the point where he will bring me his blanket and then turn around so his back is faced to me so I can wrap it around him perfectly.
I seriously can't stop kissing and hugging him and praying to God of how thankful I am for this sweet little boy. But my most favorite thing about Collin right now is his voice. Collin loves to sing. He sings, I am a child of God, I love to see the Temple, Jesus wants me for a Sunbeam, Follow the Prophet, Twinkle Twinkle, Popcorn Popping, and any Frozen song without missing a beat. He sings way more words than he can even talk. But it is so darling that a child not even two can love to sing like he does. I crack up while be belts out "Let it Go" or "What does the Fox say" but I will never tire of hearing it. I am SO blessed to be the nursery singing leader in our ward to hear him every Sunday do what he loves. And maybe that's why he sings so much, but it doesn't matter to me. I just can't get over how much I love Him when he sings.
Collin LOVES bananas, going outside, soccer, being chased or twirled around. He is not open to many new strangers but has done the best out of all my kids with babysitters and nursery. He has been more sick than any of my other children and definitely has his fits about going to bed, but when he gets a good nap and is healthy and happy there is nothing better than playing with this little blue eyed, dimple faced boy of mine!
A spiritual memory I have of Collin happened before he was talking much (maybe 10-20 words). I was watching the new Youth video theme song on LDS.org and he couldn't see it because I had my computer on the counter. But he came over to me and pointed and begged me to pick him up. So I held him in my lap and he watched so intently. When suddenly when the video switched to clips of Jesus's life he exclaimed "Jesus!" Now maybe I'm a bad parent, but I know I didn't teach him the word Jesus. It was powerful to me that he knew Him. So much in fact that after that point, we have put Jesus pictures all around the house and even one in his bed so he can continue to point and declare, "Jesus," like proclaiming his own personal testimony. He is the only kid his age I know that will watch clip after clip of the church's bible video's and never lose interest. If it has Jesus in it, he will watch it again and again. There is something real about his knowledge and understanding of our Savior that his little mouth just can't voice yet.
Oh how
I love you Collin. Love, Mom.
