That's Why I Love You: The Big 1-1

Eleven years ago, Greyson came into our lives. He was our third baby. He was goofy and unique and continues to be just like that. We do have our moments, though. I've said it before and I'll say it again, I should've known by how crazy his birth was, that Greyson was going to give us a run for our money.

In the Spring of 2008, when Greyson was just six months old, I had one of the worst days of my life. I had dropped Owen off at preschool, and was excited because this day was a Thursday and I had my MOPS group. I dropped off my things in our mom room, and then headed to take Emerson and Greyson to their classrooms downstairs. As I approached the stairs, I held my son in my left arm and was holding Emerson's hand with my right. She was just three years old, and still needed help going down the stairs. As I went to take the first step, I teetered. I remember letting go of Emerson's hand and curling around Greyson, my baby, as I fell down the entire flight of stairs. It felt like slow-motion. I tried to turn my body so that I would take the brunt of the hits, but I ended up completely on top of him and could feel his head thump every time it caught a stair. When I hit the bottom, I let out the worst gutteral scream you have ever heard. And I kept screaming. My baby. I couldn't believe that this was how my baby was going to die.

We were crumpled together on the cold, hard floor. He was crying, but I wasn't sure if that was a good thing or a bad thing. Did he have broken bones? Was he paralyzed? Did he have internal bleeding? Before I knew it, the ambulance had arrived, he was buckled into his car carrier seat and they had braced his head so he couldn't move. After a thorough checkup at the hospital, he was given the all-clear. Aside from a couple small bumps on his forehead, Greyson was uninjured. As for me? Well, to this day, I still remember that accident every single time I go down a flight of stairs.

Now, I'm not sure if his birth or his fall down the stairs were contributors, but Greyson has a gigantic adventurous spirit. He has fun doing all sorts of crazy things. There is one small hitch... Greyson has to have a schedule. And the details of that schedule? Well, he needs them all, right down to the very smallest parts. He is definitely not a spur-of-the-moment kid. And if I'm being completely honest, sometimes I don't know what I'm making for dinner 30 minutes before we need to eat, let alone what we're doing next Saturday at 2pm. This puts Greyson in a bit of a pickle. He loves adventure, but not last-minute adventure. Actually, he just doesn't love the THOUGHT of last-minute adventure. If I say, "Hey kids, grab your coats and hats and let's go hiking," Greyson panics and strongly refuses. But when I make him do it anyway, he's the one who's having the most fun out there. Do you see what I'm dealing with here?! I have to make him have fun for him to have fun.

Speaking of pickles, this boy LOVES pickles. At the end of fourth grade last year, his teacher found out how much Greyson loves pickles, and brought him something new and pickle-flavored every time she saw him. Some of the things were totally gross, but Greyson tried them all and loved his teacher for it.

Sometimes, though, Greyson seeks out his own adventures and puts his own spin on things...

Jumping at the bike park,

Collecting items for camping trips,

Snowmobiling in the dark,

Sledding down any hill he can find,

Testing out the thickness of the ice (much to my dismay),

Being the first one in the pool,

Always choosing soft serve twist, even when there are many other options,

Climbing out on down limbs on the river,

Agreeing to wear a bow tie, but refusing to tuck in his shirt,

Getting on his way-too-small dirt bike for few laps,

Heading to the back of our property to find his favorite rock,

Agreeing to the Mexican restaurant on his birthday as long as he didn't have to wear the hat or be sung to,

And hayrides for his birthday party.

Greyson moved up from elementary school to our intermediate school this year, and with that came the switch from flag football to tackle football.

I'd like to tell you that he loved the season, but in reality, I have to tell you that he tolerated (barely) practices, enjoyed the games a tiny bit more, but absolutely loved wearing his jersey to school on Fridays because it definitely "made the girls look at me, MOM!"

He is definitely looking forward to another basketball season, though, which you know I love.

I am certain that Greyson's adventures are just beginning. I can't even imagine the things I will go through with him in the next few years. This boy keeps me on my toes, every single day. He is currently interested in getting into skateboarding, and I can envision the injuries from that as I sit here and write this. At least I'll never have to say that Greyson is boring. He is always up to something and into something, he always has an answer for everything, and he never takes "no" for an answer.