I just love this kid. He's the most sincere, loving, good-hearted boy in the world. And he's my son! I knew he was a gentle, sweet soul but watching him with his baby brother just proves it even more. He really loves "his baby". He'll be loving on Maverick and say, "I just want to squeeze him to pieces!"
Rocco continues to keep an eye on his brother for me. If he is crying, feels cold, seems hungry, is tired, etc. big brother comes and tells me about it. Here's a picture of Rocco trying to calm him down himself by giving him a pacifier. He also read a book to him by himself for the first time. He read The Very Hungry Caterpillar.
The other day Maverick was crying. Not much seemed to sooth him. Rocco left the room ( I figured to get a break from all of the crying ). He came back with his toy guitar. "Maybe he wants a lullaby, mama!" And he strummed away, way out of tune, and Maverick just stopped to listen.
It was this month that he finally spent the night at his nana and granddaddy's house. This was a big deal. Even though they don't live but a few minutes away, Rocco has never really wanted to leave at night. He loves to snuggle with me too much when we go to bed. But...he did indeed spend the night with them. I think Drew (his 13 yr old first cousin) being over there that night probably helped him make this decision ;).
And while he was spending the night over there, Drew had "quiet time" with him before going to bed. They read the Bible together. This really impacted Rocco. Since then he often asks me at night to have quiet time with him. And he's learned the books of the New Testament, too. I am especially proud of this!
Vacation Bible School is a big event every summer for us. This year was no exception. Ms. Tabatha was his teacher. Will is one of his best friends from church and school, and he was there again this year at VBS. They had a great time; they said recreation was their favorite.
When Rocco is playing around the house, he often tucks his shirt in. He does this because all of the baseball players do so. And often I'll see him with various things in his pocket (or hanging off of his shorts). Keys, old cell phone, sword...all sorts of things. And speaking of baseball, we met one of the Braves players at the library. This tickled Rocco; this second baseman signed Rocco's bat.
The last week in July we finally made it to the beach. Jason and I wanted to get away, but we especially did this trip for Rocco. He wanted to go to the beach. We made it to Panama City. Other than the pool, Rocco really enjoyed running from the incoming tide.
Rocco has made a lot of improvement in the pool this year. Earlier he was scared to get his head under the water. Just a few weeks ago he began jumping into nana and granddaddy's pool from the pool steps. Eventually he graduated to jumping off of the side. Every now and then his head would go under for a few seconds, then he would pop up. He had a big life vest on each time. As time progressed, Rocco finally got up the nerve to jump into the pool without his vest. Jason wasn't far, and he helped him swim to the steps. By the time school started, Jason was throwing Rocco way up in the air (sometimes helicopter style). Rocco would come splashing down into the water. When we went on vacation one of his favorite things to do in the pool was to just hold his head under the water for a few seconds as he floated on his belly with his swim vest on. We're so proud of him and excited about how much he's improved this summer! Most of his bravery came when I wasn't around. Jason built up his confidence and encouraged him to be brave.
One thing he does that may make no sense to anyone else but me is that he calls Chex Mix "tickle food." We just started calling it this. And I've never seen a kid more ticklish than Rocco. Some days when I'm tickling him I'll say, "Today is National Tickle Day". "No, mommy!" he insists. But I just continue to persuade him that indeed it is the national day for moms to tickle their babies. Then, I tickle him until he can hardly breathe.
Jason and Rocco have been watching a fishing show on TV. Chris Lane is a very animated fisherman. When he catches fish he'll shout, Yeah! or Pow!, and pump his fist in the air. Rocco imitates this now when he gets excited. It's pretty funny.
No comments:
Post a Comment