This is a photo of Simon from sometime in the summer. His hair is now Polish brown and I understand why people who haven't seen him a while ask me if I've started dying his hair. The change certainly is dramatic. Simon is a huge part of our life, occupying a space so graced that one wonders at its non-existence only a few years ago. The phenomenon of every child seems to be that once they have arrived, they have always existed. How could anything else be true? Simon's sense of self is so secure that I am sure he feels similarly. Now that I have finally sat down to type out things that I don't wish to forget about Simon, I have forgotten all but one of them. That's ok, this post can grow as memories come to mind.
1. Every morning when Simon sees me upon waking he immediately asks for a "dottle" and tells me that he is cold. The last part is to indicate that he would like to sit on my lap and be wrapped in the old grey cardigan that I wear as a housecoat.
2. If I happen to have a cup of tea when Simon is drinking his bottle, he insists on clinking cup to bottle and saying Cheers. Or does he say Cheers? I'm actually not sure. Maybe I just hear it in my head.
3. Yesterday Matthew was acting up and verging on throwing a tantrum. Simon picked up a dead cell phone and said, "I phone mine daddy!" He understands far more than I give him credit for.
4. He went through a stage recently where he labeled all members of the family as either a waffle or a pancake. Hearing him say waffle is absolutely adorable and we implored him again and again to attach labels to siblings. Dave and I were pancakes and all the children waffles. Simon was adamant about the distinction and I don't think Jacob merited a place in the hierarchy
5. Simon found the hardcopy book of the blog from the time when Joe was Simon's age and was delighted to find a book entirely about himself. They do bear a striking resemblance and Simon simply changed the characters in the book to match those now present in his life. Hannah became Sarah, Ben was Matthew and Jacob was largely ignored as a passing figure of little importance. One day you will love your oldest brother, Simon!
