Friday, January 15, 2010

It's a big day....


I knew you were stirring about 12 hours after conception. How did I know? It is a puzzle. It is similar to waking up one day speaking fluent French when you had never before heard a word of it whispered. But I did know and as my body made way for you, I recognized I was approaching what would be the most important job I ever have.

Everyday as you grew and swam inside my tummy I committed to many things. One of those things was I read out loud to you everyday. I started at the beginning of The New York Times Complete Book of Knowledge and read you stories about the history of rock and roll, ballet, economics, modern science. The second thing was everyday, I put headphones on that growing abdomen and played you all of my favorite songs. (Sorry about the Ludacris song that slipped in the mix. That’s not appropriate for babies.) And I wonder if these daily acts influenced your strong proclivity towards words and music. And might explain how in a perfectly normal fashion you said the word paleontologist yesterday, when you were still two.

And in your first minutes of life as we held you, you looked right in Daddy’s eyes. Having spent limited time with babies before you came, we couldn’t believe how small and fragile you were. Or that we made you. And here was something no two other people could create. And there you were, and the minute you began to unfurl your happiness into the world around us, I knew I wasn’t ever going to be the same.

I have been fortunate to be successful at many things I have tried. And the things I am not highly successful at i.e. beating Daddy at golf or surfing do not keep me from trying.

But the thing I want to be the most successful at is you. Being a Mom was a great aspiration but I never dreamed of fluffy wedding gowns and white picket fences as a girl. I wanted to know how to kick a soccer ball further and how to perfectly lip sync to Madonna. Oh, and how to argue effectively. You’ll see. But getting to know you has given me reason to really evaluate myself, and ask what kind of leader I will be to you. I am primarily good. I have responded with instincts I didn’t know I had. I have displayed patience that baffles my entire family. But they know the reason is you. But you bring goodness that is pure and true to light. But I am far from perfect. And in my life, I have been impatient more often than I should. And I have been unkind and ill-tempered at times. That is why I hope you only inherited certain parts of me. (And certain parts of Daddy while we on the subject.)

I made you a list and since you are turning three today, it is still early enough for you to select only the good qualities and positive influences we can share and discard the other.

Please inherit from Mom:
Sense of: humor, adventure, loyalty, protectiveness of others
Love of: music, athletics, laughter, travel, reading, cooking, and singing.
Interest in: education, diversity and culture, social issues, charity/philanthropy
Interest in style
Interest in fitness
Amazing memory
Dancing skills
Genetics that make Grammy look like she is my sister
Appropriately placed sarcasm

Please do not inherit from Mom:
Impatience
Favored use of the F word
Interest in being right
Interest in debating (which is a nice word for arguing)
Interest in Rap Music (unless it's old school)
Interest in negotiating. Everything. (Or do inherit this and do NOT attempt to use this skill on me OR Daddy. Your grandparents can fend for themselves and thus are fair game.)
Interest in finding loopholes to get around rules
Interest in acceleration especially in vehicles
Amazing memory you will attempt to use against me at some point
Interest in frozen twinkies. They are good but actually disgusting.
Sissy scream upon seeing a snake
 
Biting sarcasm
Smart-assery (There is a difference between sarcasm and smart-assery.) 

Please inherit from Dad:
Amazing golf skills
Ultra-high metabolism
Amazing eye color (yours look like mine at times, and his at times)
Thoughtfulness
Intelligence
Flexibility
Tolerance for change
Emotional fortitude
Attention to detail
Pragmatic approach to all things
Vast interest in the world and seeing many parts of it

Please do NOT inherit from Dad:
Impatience
Morning grumpiness and when I say morning I mean ALL morning
Facial expressions that do not hide true feelings especially when those feelings are not nice
Poor, poor dancing skills
Hatred of making the bed every day
Fairly high interest in Tequila
Over-zealous interest in Vegas


It is a rather slight list, my little love. And quite workable I hope.
Thank you for being the best reason in the world to want to be a better person and an amazing Mom. I will do my earnest best to meet those goals.

Happy 3rd birthday. We love you. 

135 comments:

Anonymous said...

You read from from the 'History of Rock and Roll'? No WONDER he's a ROCK STAR!!!!

Happy Birthday MiniMac!!

People Who Know Me Would Say: said...

Happy Birthday to THE EDGE-LET with the mad guitar skills!!!

Wonderful post, JM!!!!

Vodka Logic said...

Thats a wonderful letter to your son.

Now lets hope he doesn't read it someday because you know which part of the lists he will be most interested in..esp if he is about 15.

He's a lucky boy JennyMac.
Happy Birthday

JenJen said...

Beautiful and just simply....GOOD.

Hugs from here, big man.

M said...

This is beautiful! I hope you print it and save it for your little cutie when the day comes for him to be old enough to appreciate it.

Have a great day today!

Jessabell said...

Beautiful! Very impressed with paleontologist, obviously a prodigy in the making x

Liz Mays said...

Happy Birthday to your precious little man!!!

Your lists of do not inherits from yourself cracks me up.

pam said...

What a great list! My daughters are all adopted, but they have definitely picked up personality traits from me and my husband. The old nature vs nuture thing.

BigSis said...

Aw, that's so sweet. What a lucky boy.

Mandy said...

Sweet post! Beautiful pictures! Happy Birthday to your son!

Eric said...

Well children are our future (as immortalized by Whitney Houston, sorry it was too easy).

But seriously, you have a great family and seem to be raising a prodigy that the whole world can be proud of.

Jenn@ You know... that blog? said...

Lovely post JM - hope MM has a fabulous day!

KaLynn ("MiMi") said...

Happy Birthday to MiniMac! Happy Mother's Day to you! (And Happy Father's Day to DaddyMac)

KatiePerk said...

Such a sweet post. Hope you all have a great day!

erin said...

Wonderful Post and a wonderful list.

I hope that my kids don't swear and have the strange interest in rap music that I have. I listened to Jay-Z while I was in labor with Max. The nurses were not amused.

Little Ms Blogger said...

That is a great letter are you planning on doing one every year and giving it to him later in life? You should.

I love pic.

What's the game plan for mini-Mac's birthday?

Live.Love.Eat said...

That picture was just the icing on the cake. He is gorgeous!!!!! That was a sweet mixed bag of goodness there for your son. Loved the lists!!!!!!!

Tracie said...

That was so beautiful! I love your lists, too.

Happy Birthday to your wonderful boy!

Buckeroomama said...

Aww, happy birthday to your little guy. (Sweet, sweet pic there). :)

MommyLovesStilettos said...

What a sweet post! Happy Birthday MiniMac!

Eyes Wide Open said...

This is one of the most heartfelt birthday posts I've ever read. Ever. I loved it. Happy birthday minimac!

mermaid gallery said...

Minimac is a handsome three....also like his parents I'm sure. Have an amazing birthday party. This is the stuff we remember forever!

Anonymous said...

Happy Birthday, Minimac!!! Love the post and the picture!!

Anonymous said...

What an amazing post and blessed little boy you have there. Happy Birthday mini-Mac!

Unknown said...

Happy Birthday big guy....
One day he is going to LOVE that you wrote this...

Herding Cats said...

This kind of made me want to have a baby....kind of. I guess I'll get over it when I see my middle school students today, but 3 year olds are precious! Happy Bday MiniMac!

DoThat4U said...

Happy Day
Awesome post
I hope I remember to copy idea one day!!

carissajade said...

Awww I love this post so much!! Brought tears to my eyes!! happy birthday to mini mac!!!

Christine Macdonald said...

I hope you print, frame and keep this post for him. He will look back at this, read it, and smile. You're a warm soul - and I am sure he;s inheriting just fine. :)

Happy (mom) birthday, JM!

Celebrate with your family, be silly, dance and sing. The dishes can wait.

xxoo

confused homemaker said...

Happy Birthday Little Man!

Enjoy the day & eat dessert first always.

foxy said...

Awwwww... such a sweet letter, JennyMac!

Happy 3rd, little man!

Anonymous said...

What a sweet, sweet gift to your son. (Make sure you save this so that you can read it to him and his first teenage love interest at Sunday dinner!) - G

Barbaloot said...

What a sweet letter. I'd like to remember to do something like this for my kids one day.

Liza said...

Happy Birthday MiniMac. Congratulations MiniMac's Mom.

Summer said...

Happy Birthday to your little man! I hope you all have a fabulous day of celebration! :)

Belle (from Life of a...) said...

Fabulous post! Happy Birthday to your little sweetie. Our kids are now 19 and 23 and we marvel over their personalities...how they are so different from each other but yet it's so easy to see the two of us in each one of them. There are no accomplishments that either of us have had in our lives that makes us as proud as the things that our kids accomplish. We have been SO blessed, as have you.

Jeney Peney said...

That was a beautiful post!

Happy Birthday wishes are being sent from North Dakota!

Jules AF said...

Awww, he is adorable!

Poindexter said...

happy happy birthday sweet little man!

ThatsBaloney said...

So sweet. Happy Birthday to MiniMac!
Just wondering where the patience will come from?

Mom in High Heels said...

Happy birthday MiniMac! You have a great mom and if you inherit a few of her bad traits, I hope you too blog (or whatever it is we'll be doing in 15 or so years) so that we can all get a good giggle.

MommyLisa said...

He is the most handsome toddler rockstar I have ever seen!

Happy Birthday Minimac!

Rita Templeton said...

Happiest of bee-days to MiniMac! May his third year be as full of love as his first two. :)

And I knew I was pregnant with my third son the minute it happened, so I know exactly what you mean. Weird ...

Unknown said...

paleontologist????

And here I was impressed when my 3 year old grandson announced, "I'm Carter, da farter."

Happy birthday to MiniMac. And what a beautiful post.

Brandi said...

Happy Birthday to Minimac! What a sweet pic of you guys. :)

Lindsey said...

Just finding out our Mr. Bojangles is a boy, this post really hit home. I really wanted a girl, but now I am so looking forward to being on the golf course, shooting hoops, and playing catch with my litle man. Happy birthday and thanks for the nice perspective on life!

mCat said...

Just when I think I can't love you anymore, you go and do a post like this!

Happy Birthday Mini-Mac!

And now, off to use the word smart-assery. I think it defines my entire household. Which, I love.

Unknown said...

This was absolutely gorgeous JennyMac, what a wonderful piece of writing. Most writers either make you laugh OR make you cry, you managed to make me do both with this....

It's a rare person who can be so honest and open about their strengths and all-the-other-stuff....that little man of yours is clearly blessed - regardless of whose dancing skills he inherits.

Happy Birthday MiniMac, Prince of Georgia, you beautiful little boy :)

Unknown said...

This was absolutely gorgeous JennyMac, what a wonderful piece of writing. Most writers either make you laugh OR make you cry, you managed to make me do both with this....

It's a rare person who can be so honest and open about their strengths and all-the-other-stuff....that little man of yours is clearly blessed - regardless of whose dancing skills he inherits.

Happy Birthday MiniMac, Prince of Georgia, you beautiful little boy :)

The Sharer said...

Happy 3rd Birthday! Stay with the music, it'll take you anywhere you want to go.

Sharer

Mrs Montoya said...

Really you don't want him to inherit your favored use of the F Word? Love your mix of sweet and sassy JennyMac. You do it like no other.

Happy 3rd Birthday, Little Man! The world is wide open for you and your tour guides are amazing. Enjoy it!!

Science Teacher Mommy said...

Lovely post.

I must say, having taught middle school for some time, that kids definitely tend to inherit the use of the F-word. All the rest find it on their own. So yeah, good luck with that one.

The Absence of Alternatives said...

Happy Birthday. This is so nicely written. I will stop here lest I ruin the whole thing I am feeling right now.

A Daft Scots Lass said...

Happy Birthday. You brought a tear to my eye.

Unknown said...

Happy Birthday to MiniEdge!
Very sweet post. Unlike you, though, I had no clue I was pregnant until my husband told me so...weird.

Working Mommy said...

Happy 3rd Birthday!!! What a cute picture!

~WM

Anonymous said...

My son and daughter both inherited my impatience. I can already tell and they're 1 and 4.

Amanda said...

Such a beautiful letter. I know he will enjoy reading this when he gets old enough to appreciate it. Happy Birthday MiniMac!

j said...

I LOVE your "Please Inherit" lists. I wish that I had written something like that for my children when they were younger.

Happy 3rd Birthday!

Pres. Kathy said...

Happy Birthday little guy!

Noe Noe Girl...A Queen of all Trades. said...

Happy Birthday Little Man.
That's some mama you have there!
<><

UberGrumpy said...

hippo birdy two ewes
hippo birdy two ewes
etc

Nice list...

Cathi said...

What a wonderful list...you sound like a great mom, Jenny Mac! xxoo

Slamdunk said...

Lovely post and happy birthday to your son.

It will be a nice compare and contrast post in 13 years for MiniMac to construct a list of wants and don't wants from his mom and dad.

Pretty Zesty said...

aw, so cute! Have a fabulous weekend!

Myya said...

Happy Happy Birthday little man. What a great letter to your little guy. I love the Do NOT inherit lists... too cute! I'm sure one day he will have fun reading this! By the way - he is adorable!

f8hasit said...

Hey now!
Boo was born yesterday and Little Man today? Granted, 8 years apart...but how freakin' cool!

I have yet one more thing in common with you! I must rock!
:-)

Leah Rubin said...

What a totally lovely and loving message! Happy birthday to Mini-Mac, and congrats to the loving parents who created him!

I'm going to share this post with my daughter, whose beautiful and uber-happy little red-headed ("No-- it's oh-winje!") boy turned 3 a few weeks ago! I think she will find it as touching as I do!

Good work, Mom! Keep it up!

linlah said...

They never fall far from the tree and on the way down they tend to grab some of those traits we'd least like them too.

Salt said...

Happy birthday to MiniMac!!! That picture of you two is so sweet. :)

Liz Aguerre said...

I think this is the coolest birthday post I've read. I love these; they always make me want to go home and hug my kid. Happy Birthday to your little rock star.

Marcy said...

Happy 3rd b-day MiniMac. I hope some day you will realize how much you are loved. Great post JM. Thanks for sharing your beautiful poignant writing with the rest of us.

Can't wait to see you!

Existential Waitress said...

I love this birthday post! I never dreamed of wedding dresses or white picket fences either, but then when I had kids suddenly I wanted to get all June Cleaver 1950's housewife (okay maybe not quite that bad). Funny, but two things I hope to god my kids don't inherit from the hubs are also fairly high interest in Tequila (or whatever other alcohol strikes his fancy), and over-zealous interest in Vegas (too bad we have to LIVE here right now - lol). Love this post and happy birthday to your little guy!

brokenteepee said...

Well Happy Birthday to your kid.
I hope he grows up not to butt you but rather to leap with joy and run with abandon.

Unknown said...

Happy Birthday to your wonderful little man. Happy, Happy Birthday. This post was SO fantastic. Wow. I am so glad you get to be his Mom! And I know God will give you all the grace and strength you need to teach him as he grows : )!

PS Paleontologist is SUCH an impressive word for a two year old! He is amazing!

Carol {Everyday Delights} said...

What a sweet post - happy bday to your son!

Mrs. M said...

What a wonderful post!!

Now get those twinkies out of the freezer and throw them away!! :)

Brian Miller said...

thanks for the smiles....wonderful post.

hope the little has a great birthday!

secret agent woman said...

Happy Birthday to him!

But you know, he'll inherit good and bad traits from you guys and throw in some stuff of his own and all that will make him unique and wonderful.

Unknown said...

Birth to 5 is the sweetest time of parenthood. There are sweet years ahead, after 5, but those first five years are just beautiful.

And be warned, darling JM: The one thing he will inherit from you and blurt out at inconveninet times like the christening of your boss's child...is the use of that F word.

I strongly recommend replacing it with something you could stand hearing come out of that precious child's mouth!

mommakin said...

What a beautiful post!

(and some of those 'do not inherits' you listed about yourself are the very things that undoubtedly make you good at your job...)

Krystyn @ Really, Are You Serious? said...

Awwww...what a sweet, sweet post. Happy birthday to your little man.

Mike said...

That was very sweet! Happy Birthday to your little boy!

The qualities that you want him to not inherit from you, I seem to possess, except for the rap music thing! haha

Miss E said...

So very sweet! Loved this post! Happy birthday to your sweet boy.

Lawyer Mom said...

Happy birthday to your little son. He's adorable.

Emily said...

Man, you are one rockin' mom! Happy Birthday to your adorable little MiniMac!

J.J. in L.A. said...

Happy Birthday, MiniMac!!!

"There is a difference between sarcasm and smart-assery."

There is??? ; )

Seriously, you should print this out and give it to the little guy on his 18th birthday. It's sweet and funny, all at the same time.

shortmama said...

Beautiful! Happy Birthday to MiniMac!!

Chief said...

Happy Birthday to JennyMac's little man!

Ali said...

This is seriously one of THE most beautiful things I've ever read. And I've read a LOT!

Happy Birthday, MiniMac!

lisa and laura said...

I love this post. Happy birthday to your little man! He'll love reading this one day.

Unknown said...

Just stopping by from SITS to say hello. Have a great weekend!

Pandorah's Box said...

This one brought tears to my eyes!

Your true love for your son certainly shines through.

Happy Birthday MiniMac! I hope it's a great one!

MsDarkstar said...

Happy Birthday MiniMac!

And I love the lists!

Ela said...

Happy 3rd birthday, MiniMac!!!

This is so beautiful. I can only hope to one day (soon I pray) have what you do.

the walking man said...

Happy Birthday kid, I want to play poker with your dad.

"Facial expressions that do not hide true feelings especially when those feelings are not nice"

Holyoke Home said...

Awesome words for your kid!

Thankfully Thrifty said...

So sweet! I love the post and I love the pic! Happy birthday to your little boy!
Hi from SITS! :)

Michie said...

Love your post, full of love and a great sense of humor. Hope your little man had a wonderful birthday. Thank you for stopping by my blog.

Corrie Howe said...

JennyMac, He's beautiful, handsome. I love the smile. I often wonder about the things I did for my infants. I put headphones on my tummy with classical music for one and played classical music for the other, who was colicky, both have great math skills.

Red Shoes said...

Beautiful!!

~shoes~

megs @ whadusay said...

what a beautiful letter!

Unknown said...

Happy Birthday! Wonderful list.

Green-Eyed Momster said...

What a beautiful post, JennyMac! He's lucky to have you and your husband as his parents!

Happy 3rd birthday to your little, handsome man!

Hugs!!

HalfAsstic.com said...

Oh my, yes, and what a little doll he is, too!
Very well put, as usual, Jennymac! Happy birthday little guy!

Ed said...

Happy Birthday to your kiddo.

Teresa @ good-grace said...

aaaww... this is such a sweet, wonderful post. Happy, happy birthday to your adorable little guy!

Amanda (Small Acorns) said...

Jenny Mac what a great post. I love your lists. Like you I look at my precious girls and think (like all mums) that I'm the luckiest girl in the world! Have missed reading your posts. Am on holiday at the beach with no internet connection. It's a complete mission to get online. Happy New Year

Daisy Whitney said...

Aww, what a totally sweet post!

Alexis AKA MOM said...

I love the things to take and what not to take, oh man would my list be a long one. See this is not a See Monkey Do, Monkey Do house ... LOL

Love the pictures just gorgeous!

Unknown said...

I think your list of things not to inherit are pretty darn close to all the things I'm hoping Baby H.I.T. never ever does. Not one little bit.

But, sigh, she is her father's daughter.

Happy Birthday!

Unknown said...

Happy Bithday to your very cute little boy. I had to get past 111 comments to write mine. Girl, you definitely rock!

Bossy Betty said...

What a wonderful post!!!

Tom Bailey said...

This is quite a self discovery you are doing by looking at traits you would want from your father and mother and the traits that you would rather leave behind from both of them.

Thanks for sharing,
Tom Bailey

Anonymous said...

That has to be the sweetest post I've ever read. Sounds like you are an awesome mom! He's a little angel.
xo

I'm Jamie said...

This is SO sweet! I love your lists!!
Just the fact that you have dedicated the time and thought into writing out the wonderful hopes for your child shows what a fabulous mommy you must be.

Happy Birthday!!

Laura @ the shorehouse. said...

I love this so much. And..."That’s not appropriate for babies." HA! :-) Happy 3rd birthday to your little love.

BonBon Rose Girls Kristin said...

Happy happy birthday to your precious little man! I'll have you know that you have me reduced to tears. You are an inspiring mama lady!

Rowe said...

A beautiful post, Jen. Belated birthday wishes to your sweet little man. I'm sure he will be all of your hopes and more.

jayme said...

happy birthday little guy! he sure is precious!!

i left ya a little lovin on my blog if ya wanna check it out !! xoxoxo

Unknown said...

As if I needed to cry anymore...(yesterday I dealt with a travel debacle and cried my eyes out at Houston Int'l airport) He is so cute I could eat him up. I want a little boy to balance out all the estrogen around here! And you are darling in your shades & Burberry scarf. What an incredible legacy you are leaving. Happy Belated Birthday, MiniMac!

Melissa B. said...

Your beautiful little man is going to grow up with some seriously gorgeous tendencies! Skoal!

Kat said...

I don't know how I missed this (yes I do, but that's another story) What a precious post for Mini Mac. He is going to love reading this someday. I read to Cait every single day, and danced around the house to Van the Man, Van Halen, Bach (yes, you can dance to Bach), and Coltrane. I truly believe this influenced her musical interest and above average intelligence. No brag, just fact. Enjoy his special day! Hugs, Kathy

Unknown said...

wow, only getting to this now.
happy bday minimac!

gorgeous photo !

Anonymous said...

Happy Birthday, Little man. You are a very lucky kid! Have a wonderful and rocktastic day!

Anonymous said...

That is a beautiful tribute to motherhood, makes me proud of you!

Secretia

MommaKiss said...

3 is SUCH a great age. Your lists are good and funny, that kid of yours will get the best of each of his parents. You Done Good!

Jen said...

What a fantastic, humorous birthday tribute to your little man :) I hope it was a good one! He's so handsome!

Rebecca Knight said...

Awwwwww :). I hope MiniMac had a wonderful day, and will really appreciate the humor and love in this post when he's older.

Also, do JohnnyMac's poor dancing skills and love of tequila have something to do w/ one another? ;)

Mandy said...

I hope he had a wonderful birthday! Congrats on surviving and thriving in these past three years (and nine months)! :-)

The Undomestic Mom said...

This post is so sweet!

Claudya Martinez said...

This might be my favorite post of yours.

Happy Birthday to your beautiful son.

Vivienne @ the V Spot said...

That is fantastic, and he is going to love that he has your letters and stories when he grows up.
(Which will hopefully take a long time to do, and he will always, always be your precious baby and will never ever sass you.)
:)

HeartsMakeFamilies said...

This post took away my breath. So awesome.

http://howtobecomeacatladywithoutthecats.blogspot.com said...

What a wonderful birthday gift for MiniMac!