Thursday, August 28, 2008

CHANGE FOR YOU





Dear Spike:

Today marks two years since you came into our lives — and 15 months since we met you face to face in the maternity ward at LDS Hospital.

It probably goes without saying that you've changed a bit since I first held your tiny four-and-a-half-pound body in my arms. Perhaps more remarkable, though, is how much you've changed since just last month.

Or heck, since just last week. And you know, in some ways, it's like meeting a new person every day.

One day you're a bold social butterfly — jumping into the arms of strangers and talking to everyone you pass at the supermarket. The next day you're like a nervous little squirrel, hiding behind our legs, scurrying up into our arms when you feel frightened of someone new.

One day you're stoic. The next day you're just silly.

One day you're completely engrossed in your ever-expanding library. The next day you'd rather lie on the floor doing absolutely nothing than be forced to read.

One day you're pining for the outdoors. The next day you're hankering to stay home.

We took you to see Dr. Schriewer today. You've always been fond of her in the past. But today you screamed and screamed and screamed as she tried to listen to your heart and check your eyes and look into your ears. We're talking banshee screaming. And that was long before the shots came.

Yesterday at the park you couldn't get enough of the climbing wall. Today you wanted to do nothing but slide down the big red tube.

Last week you liked your little plastic penguin. Now it's your little brown horse.

I wonder if you're not simply trying things out — sampling all of life's flavors before settling on a favorite. If that's your plan, it's not a bad one.

Lots of people talk about the benefits of trying new things. Not many people recognize the value of trying to be a new person. But you can. And not just right now but always. If you wake up one morning and decide you'd like to change you, you can.

There's only one rule: When you change, change for you.

Not for friendship. Not for love. And not for popularity. Oh please, please, please, not for popularity.

But if you want to change for you, change for you.

And whoever you are tomorrow, that's who I'll love. Even more than I love you today.

Love,
dad

Dear Spike's Friends:
For those of you keeping track, Spike weighed in at just over 17 pounds today. That's pretty darn small — and Dr. Schriewer made an appointment for us to visit a child nutritionist in November. But she also assured us that, developmentally, Spike is developing quite nicely — despite the banshee screamfest.
Love, Spike's Dad

7 comments:

Shanda Mattsson said...

Ok, I have a few comments. First, Dr. Schriewer??? Is that pronounced "screw ee er?" Of course Mia screamed...who wouldn't with a doctors name like that. haha.

So is today the day Heidi found out she was pregnant? If so that is weird, because I had a dream last night that she found out she was pregnant again and we were planning ways to tell you. Not kidding...I was going to email her today to tell her. haha. That is weird.

Mia is an amazing child. I love that she tries everything out. That way she will know what is right/wrong for her.

Anonymous said...

Just an odd question....in the second picture who is holding Spike, they look like they have no clothes on?

www.dearspike.com said...

1) It's pronounced Shree-ver. Must be some German thing.

2) To tell you the truth, I don't know exactly what day it was that Heidi found out she was pregnant, though I know it was in September. For the purpose of figuring out how long Spike's been with us, I simply added 9 months to 15 months.

3) Heidi's holding Spike. She's wearing a strapless dress. We're not nudists.

Anonymous said...

At Michael's 18-month visit he only weighed 18 pounds, so I know what it is to have a small child. Our doctor remains unconcerned since Michael is developmentally normal, just points out what we already knew; the kid doesn't like to eat! I am convinced that our little girl on the way (measuring big, according to the docs), is going to be a butterball.

No worries. What an adorable little girl.

Anonymous said...

Good grief that kid is cute! Way to go, gene pool!

Mia will probably be a a teeny tiny size 2 her whole life. I'm already jealous. ;)

You two are too nudists! Liar!! Geez. Nothin' but naked time at that house. I swear.

Hugs,
K

Mae said...

Spike is a cutie pie---a TINY cutie pie. Nothing wrong with tiny.

Anonymous said...

Well said.
Happy Birthday, Spike.