Thursday, July 31, 2014

Thankful Thursday | Kai's Birthday Edition

Kai turns 8 this weekend!  I remember going into labour with him. I remember the drive to the hospital and thinking `This is the drive that you always see on `A Baby Story' (TLC).  I remember sucking back on gas and asking the nurses if I was doing a good job.  I remember reaching 10 cm and pushing for hours and not being able to get him out which ended in an emergency C-section.  I remember feeling like I failed at his birth.  I remember being shocked when we found out he was 9 lbs 11oz.  I remember a rough first 6 months.  I remember Gary or I having to rock him to sleep for every single nap/bedtime.  I remember the sweet relief of him sleeping through the night at 6 months.

Although it felt like a rough start, things got so much better and he has been quite a joy to parent....most of the time.  I love seeing how he is so much like Gary and yet so much like myself.  Serious & silly.  Academic & playful.  This Thankful Thursday contains 10 things that I am thankful for about Kai.
  



Thankful for:

1.  His independence.  From a young age he has loved learning how to do things for himself.  Making his own food and learning how to work things around the house.  So helpful!


2.  His competitive nature.  I personally think competition is great as long as you are a team player.  This is something we are working on; including everyone even if they won't help you win.  Doing your best but helping others do their best too.   His competitive nature is what allows him to hike up the Grouse Grind and kick our butts doing so.


3. His ability to get along with everyone.  He was so excited to get our international students and includes them in everything.  He has so many friends at school, both girls and boys, and of all ages.


4.  His health.  I'm thankful that he is a strong, healthy young boy. He's really only had one `serious' illness which was Dengue Fever last summer.  Unlike Koen and Nya, a cold for him is no big deal.


5.  His love for school.  This is one major way that he takes after Gary and I.  He loves school, particularly math and science.  He was able to be challenged this year in an enrichment class and it was so good for him.  I love that he has never stopped asking questions.


6.  His confidence.  He doesn't care what he wears as long as it involves running shoes.  He isn't afraid of much.  We do work on remaining humble alongside this.


7.  His love for sports and activity.  Gary and I both love being active so I appreciate that he is fully on board with whatever activity we want to do.  


8. His adventurous spirit.  He will try pretty much everything.  Food, activities, experiences.  He just doesn't love avocados or sour cream.

9. His love for books.  I mean, he doesn't spend time in the day reading unless we remind him, but he does love a good book and is an excellent reader.


10. His calm demeanor.  He is usually really easy to discipline and discuss things with.  He remains pretty clear headed in almost all situations.  The only area where this becomes tricky is when he is playing with Koen; things can escalate quickly.
  

I remember when the doctor said that we were having a boy and I cried.  I didn't know how to raise a son (I thought).  I am so thankful that Koen and Nya have a big brother to lead them and to protect them.  I'm thankful for a son that likes to learn from what we have to say.  It's not all roses as he can be smelly and stubborn, but we are definitely very thankful for our Kai Bear.

Happy birthday, Bud!  

Love, Mom, Dad, Koen and Nya. 

3 comments:

  1. Anonymous10:56 AM

    we are also thankful for kai :)
    Happy Birthday Buddy! Auntie Maria, Uncle Kris, ani, izzy, kenzie and Georgia.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Happy birthday Kai! #11 should be his freckles - they are awesome.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Happy Birthday Kai!! 8 is a pretty awesome age:)

    ReplyDelete