Just the two of us

June 19th, 2008

Last Saturday, my husband took our two older children on errands for the day so I could focus on organizing our house. George stayed home. After all, he does nap for nearly two hours some days. And, truthfully, he is such a sweet boy he will generally play quietly in the room while I work. Perfect.

George and I were together all day without the others, which is rare. He played near me most of the morning, took his usual nap, and followed his day as usual without the pleasure or interference of his older siblings. We played a few puzzles, read a book. My organizing was very successful. I was a little surprised that his missing siblings didn’t seem to impress him particularly, but at 18 months he does not have many words. Perhaps, I thought, he just doesn’t express it.

Most evenings after dinner, if not before, Andrew practices the piano. I can’t recall the last time I needed to ask him to play, at some point I just hear him playing. (Occasionally, it is about the time I would prefer he set the table or clean up toys). During that time, Gladys and George dance around the living room, do flips, scream, and wrestle. I have come to understand that this should be considered “music appreciation.” Fortunately, Andrew seems to accept it that way. But, that day, he wasn’t home.

Back to last Saturday. From the kitchen, George suddenly runs into the living room. He runs back and pulls my leg. Then back to the living room. Then back to the kitchen, with a demand to be picked up. I picked him up and he pointed to the living room. So, I followed him in. Wiggling out of my arms, he ran to the piano and reached up to play a few keys. I clapped my hands. “Nice playing, George, very pretty music.” He ran back to me, then to the piano and played again, then ran back and tugged at me. I clapped again. “Do you miss Andrew, Sweetie?” Finally, he ran to the middle of the room and flopped on his back giggling. “Oh!!” We spent the next 20 minutes wrestling in the living room: just the two of us.