by Darrel
Every day (usually right after I get home from work) Justin asks me for a "smack-down." I love our smack-downs and here's why: When Justin was a baby I would hold him in our rocking chair and stare down into his beautiful blue eyes. Justin would look at the ceiling. I would move my head so I was looking right into his bright blue eyes. Justin would look at the wall. And so it went. I worried about it--because that's what I do. As Justin got older and more social I stopped worrying that he had autism, but it still bugged me that he wasn't the kind of kid that liked to snuggle. The tighter I held him the more he struggled against me. Then one night when he was almost two I was laying next to him in his bed as he "fell asleep." He started out with his arm across my chest, then his legs kicking me, then after "bashing" my head against the wall a few times he ended up laying on my face. It was no use fighting because he always ended up laying on my face. As I struggled to breathe I realized, "This is my snuggle!". So from then on as Justin worked his way to laying on my face I no longer fought it. I waited for my snuggle. Now that Justin is 3 our snuggle is called a smack-down. I lay down on the bed/couch/floor and cover my face with my hands for protection. Justin proceeds to jump on me, claw my skin, grab my arm and kick me. Occasionally I'll grab him and toss him around a little, but mostly it is Justin doing the attacking while I take the abuse. That kid doesn't pull any punches either! After a while Justin gets bored and wanders off, usually about the time I fall asleep on the bed/couch/floor. I love our snuggles!
Every day (usually right after I get home from work) Justin asks me for a "smack-down." I love our smack-downs and here's why: When Justin was a baby I would hold him in our rocking chair and stare down into his beautiful blue eyes. Justin would look at the ceiling. I would move my head so I was looking right into his bright blue eyes. Justin would look at the wall. And so it went. I worried about it--because that's what I do. As Justin got older and more social I stopped worrying that he had autism, but it still bugged me that he wasn't the kind of kid that liked to snuggle. The tighter I held him the more he struggled against me. Then one night when he was almost two I was laying next to him in his bed as he "fell asleep." He started out with his arm across my chest, then his legs kicking me, then after "bashing" my head against the wall a few times he ended up laying on my face. It was no use fighting because he always ended up laying on my face. As I struggled to breathe I realized, "This is my snuggle!". So from then on as Justin worked his way to laying on my face I no longer fought it. I waited for my snuggle. Now that Justin is 3 our snuggle is called a smack-down. I lay down on the bed/couch/floor and cover my face with my hands for protection. Justin proceeds to jump on me, claw my skin, grab my arm and kick me. Occasionally I'll grab him and toss him around a little, but mostly it is Justin doing the attacking while I take the abuse. That kid doesn't pull any punches either! After a while Justin gets bored and wanders off, usually about the time I fall asleep on the bed/couch/floor. I love our snuggles!
How cute he is....and all BOY!
ReplyDeletei guess i'll allow a posting by darrel since the blog address does have his name in it. actually, i love that he penned a blog post. i completely understand the disappointment at not having a "snuggly" child. i'm 0 for 3 in that department and sometimes i just wish we could sit and relax and enjoy each other. but mostly we end up with something similar to a smackdown and call it good quality time.
ReplyDeletegreat post and pictures! you are such a fun dad!
ReplyDeleteHow Fun! I remember Amanda and I used to have "smackdowns." Usually it involved pinching and eyes watering. HA! Anyhow---love the pictures & the post!
ReplyDeleteRachel