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A father and his 2 ½ year old son lay, snuggled on the
couch on a cold and blistery winter day in early December, watching the end of
another masterful comeback by their favorite quarterback Tom Brady. The
Christmas tree stands at attention over in the corner, keeping a watchful and
glistening eye out for anyone trying to sabotage the spirit of hope and cheer
that has already seeped into the house. From up the stairs, the fragrance
of Cinnamon Bear and Christmas Cottage candles dance down to the basement and
fill the family room with a nostalgic holiday warmth.
As the young boy snuggles
deeper against his chest, the father looks around the room, taking in this very
moment. The sight, the scents, the Christmas season is his favorite time
of the year and this moment couldn't be any more perfect. He glances down
at his son only to see his 2 ½ year old's big, blue eyes staring back at
him.
“Dad?” the boy asks almost in a whisper.
“Yes, my son,” the father replies, wondering how anyone
can be so perfect and innocent as a big smile starts to spread across his face.
His eyes gaze across to the tree as he can only begin to imagine what his son's
question will be. The father remembers back to being that age and all of
the questions he had about the Christmas season... How does Santa get to all
the houses in one night?! Was Jesus really born in a manger?! Can
reindeer really fly?! Do elves really make ALL the toys?!... The
father looks down again to his blue eyed angel ready to do his best to answer
his boy's Christmas question ...
“Can you pick my boogies?!”
“WHAT!!!???...No! You don’t even have a boogie in
there!” the father stares back as all of his hopes for a holiday moment
fade into the fragrances dancing across the room.
“Mom does!” the son whispers back as his finger points
to his nose. “It's right in there!”
Merry Christmas Everyone!!
That basically sums up the Gerdes household in
2013! As most of you know, our family grew from 4 to 5 during 2013, and
for those keeping track at home the score is now:
Gerd boys – 3
Gerd girls – 0
Yep, I now have my golf
foursome. (Not counting Jamie of course. We tried a date this year
on the golf course and by hole 5 I think she had had enough. She was a
good sport though, and that's another reason why I love her!) Anyway,
yes, we officially have all boys and the conversation above did happen and
seems to be a pretty typical one at the Gerdes'!
The addition of Bronx Legend Gerdes happened on the 9th of
July. Jamie was sitting at home when her water broke. By
“home” I mean Target. She spends so much time there, it just
figures that God would start Bronx's life in aisle 6!! The delivery was
good and everyone left the hospital only a few days after the birth. He
has been an amazing baby as well! He kept the tradition of the Gerd Boys
having big blue eyes and he is the spitting image of Boston when he was that
age! Rarely does he cry if he isn't hungry or wet. I say “rarely”
because he seems to be severely uncomfortable anytime I try to hold him,
snuggle him or try to put him to sleep. He starts off great, but with
every passing minute he becomes more and more restless. Needless to say,
I have come to terms with it and have even used it to my advantage!! (Shhh,
don't tell Jamie though!!)
Boston is growing up fast!! This year he
participated in baseball during the summer, and his first venture in the flag
football arena during the fall! The experience started off a little
rocky, but by the end he loved the games! Plus, this winter he is
involved in the Y basketball program again. It seems like all Jamie does
is cart that kid from one activity to another. He is in 1st grade
and he seems to be doing great. Everyday he comes home with something new that
he has learned. His ability to read and write gets better each day and is
very enjoyable and humorous at times to witness! There have been notes
written in church, to family members and occasionally to his mother and father,
that will bring a huge smile to your face and make you laugh out loud!
Boston is our oldest, and it is a new experience for us as parents to see him
develop and learn new things. It is an absolute privilege to be a parent
to such a great young boy. He cares passionately for people and loves his
younger brothers and is an amazing big brother. He still tends to be a
story teller, some of which are not true! But that is what makes him such
an adventure!!
The player card and stats are a little different for
Brigs! He had his 2nd birthday this year and with it came a
little bit of James Dean!! Not that we don't love him unconditionally,
but he might be hitting his rebellious years a little early. I called
Vegas the other day and they have the odds of him being naughty each day at
2/1! In other words, put your chips down on “naughty”! I absolutely
love this about Brigs. I love that he has his own way, his own line, his
own swag if you will. Yet, he can be an absolute angel and say the cutest
and most precious things. He likes to try and reason things in his favor
and make it seem like his way is the best. He started riding his hand-me-down strider bike this
year. This is the bike that doesn’t come with pedals, but helps
teach the kids how to balance. After a shaky start, he picked it up
quick! I think he might end up being a professional tight rope walker
with his balance. By the end of the summer he could balance all the way
down the hill and down the driveway. With the arrival of Bronx, Brigs has
balanced being a big brother and a little brother quite well! He still tries
keeping up with Boston, wrestling and playing sports in the backyard and yet,
takes the time to grab diapers and spend time with his little brother
Bronx. When it is all said and done, they are good boys and we
love them dearly.
Well, on to talking about our family trips!... Ok...
nothing yet... wait... nope... Yep, that about sums up the family trips.
This year, with the baby, summer activities and finishing our basement, the
time kinda got away from us. Also, my new position at Billion as a
Finance Manager requires a few more hours a week so we are still adjusting to
that schedule. The family didn't take any big trips this year, but Jamie
surprised me with a trip to Denver to see a buddy and we spent the whole
weekend golfing!! It was awesome and we had a great time. As busy
as she stays, she always puts our family first and it doesn't get said enough,
but I love you honey!!!...
Well, I've rambled on long enough and I won't bore you
with more descriptions of conversations we've had with the boys about boogies,
poop, puke, cars, mud, owies, Superman, Batman, Spiderman, Ninja Turtles,
Lighting McQueen, basketball, football, baseball, finishing all the food on
your plate, things not to touch, and of course with three boys, wienies!
So from the 3 Gerd Boys... The Liar, The Naughty One,
and The Angel...
Merry Christmas Everyone, God Bless!!
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