Big O

This picture was taken in the fall. I couldn't find a recent one of just Owen and I. (note to self, take a pic with Big O)
I was just thinking about yesterday when I put Owen down for a nap and I said "now Owie, (that's one of his many nicknames)you know that mommy wants you to stay in your bed. Don't get up over and over again and frustrate me, OK?" And he said, "OK" .... "I'm not a bad boy mommy".
(*big gulp*)"I know buddy, you're not a bad boy"...(Then thinking to myself "Man that hurts...does he think that I think he's a bad boy???")
As a teacher to very young children you are taught that you've got to be very careful not to "label" a child. Don't speak negatively about their behavior in front of them to people or they tend to accept the bad behavior as what is expected of them. Don't label them this or that or they'll see themselves stuck in that definition that you have for them. And almost as bad, those around them will define them by the label you gave them as well.
When God blessed us with little Owen we were overjoyed. He's so little (compared to the size that his brothers were at his age)and compact, and easy to carry around. And cute...let me just tell you, this boy has got the look. Chunky little round lips and all. Around the time he was turning 15 months old we had the idea that he was going to give us a run for our money. Boy were we right. He's been such a different baby then Jax and Mason were. We find ourselves giving excuses for his behavior like, its the terrible twos, or he gets this from having 2 big brothers, or he needs a nap...and on and on. I think he has soaked up our vibe on his personality. I wished at that moment when he looked at me with those big blue eyes and said "I'm not a bad boy mommy", I wished that I could explain to him that I have never said he was a bad boy. Technically I guess I haven't said that, neither has Kasey. But have our other words sunk in to him and given him a "label"? I wish I could tell him how much I love the way he doesn't just settle for the norm, I love the way he has his own way of doing things, I love his persistence, I love his toughness in the "bubby battles" (when there's a spat between the brothers), and most of all I love his spirit. I'd be quite sad if I thought someone was breaking his spirit, especially me. From now on we'll be more careful with the words we say. I certainly don't want him thinking it's OK to have bad behavior but I don't want him to be defined by it either. I guess I just need to buckle up and continue this wild ride that is motherhood, without being so vocal about certain frustrations. I love you Owie!