Dylan and Me

A friend recently described Dylan as the human version of Marley (as in, the dog in Marley and Me). The more I think about it, that's a perfect description of him. Rambunctious and overly energetic. Doesn't always think through his inexplicable, and occasionally destructive, actions. But on the other hand, he's loving, cuddly, affectionate, loyal, protective, funny, and shows an enormous love for life.

Dylan is kind of becoming ... dare I say it ... the easy kid. As Kelsie prepares for her preschool graduation this Friday she is testing her limits and pushing lots of buttons. Dylan is now talking farely well, which I think has lowered his frustration level a lot. So he is a little calmer, not as quick to burst into a tantrum and his sweet side is showing through more and more.

He'll often stop what he's doing to give a spontaneous hug and say "I yuv you." When we were at the beach recently I was laying on my stomach on the towel and he sat down next to me, wrapped his arm around my shoulders, patted my back, leaned into me so I couldn't avoid making eye contact with him and gave me a very warm smile -- it was such a protective, secure, happy gesture. It just floored me.

And he's developing quite a sense of humor. The other day I told him he was my baby boy and he said, "No, you're a baby boy!" and then cracked himself up. Just today he barked at a dog and then told me, "Mommy, I too funny!"

So I'll gladly put up with some of his quirks (as all moms do for their kids) because he not only makes up for them with his loving behaviors, he even makes them endearing because they're part of the balance that make him Dylan.