A few more things before I forget forever

The good:

• He has a head for patterns. He sits with little basic-shaped magnets and makes amazing creations. He likes to make letters out of his french fries.
• He still likes to snuggle. Granted, it's on his terms, but it's still nice.
  

The irritating:

• This little squeal he does when he's crying but it's kind of a fake crying. Ugh, drives me nuts.

I am usually very good about trying to remember that while my son is a unique person, he's doing things that millions of little kids have done before. Even though it's a first for him and our small family, it's not something that's new to the face of the earth.

I was reminded of this on Sunday when I went out to lunch with some other ladies from the church. Someone mentioned to me they thought it was adorable when Owen counted. I told her thanks, and recounted how he just doesn't understand 15. "He goes 13, 14, and then he says 'five-teen,' which actually makes more sense to me!" The other women around me, mostly older with grandkids of their own, said, "Don't they all do that?" I wasn't sure if I should feel indignant (was that kind of rude?) or embarrassed. Oh, and I'm not one of those moms who goes on and on about how preshus little Buford is and oh did you hear about his latest genius-proving act; I usually sit there with my mouth shut when in the company of anyone other than my husband or my parents, unless specifically asked. I know most people don't want to hear it.