Sisters, do you remember when you were a teenager and boys tried to get your attention?
I recall a lot of obnoxious comments, paper-based missiles, even bra-snapping. (One day in eighth grade, as I was walking down the hallway chatting with a friend, a certain jerk actually managed to bump into me from behind, and before I realized what was happening, undid my bra through my sweater. I didn't even realize it until I felt the telltale creep of the fabric and saw him, a step or two away in a cluster of similarly cretinous boys, doubled up in laughter, pointing. I shudder to think how many hours he must have spent perfecting that technique.)
This is on my mind lately, as I notice Isaac's more frequent and sophisticated bids for attention, which seem to contradict item (1)(A)3 in the DSM IV, for me the most painful part of the diagnosis:
"A lack of spontaneous seeking to share enjoyment, interests, or achievements with other people, (e.g., by a lack of showing, bringing, or pointing out objects of interest to other people)"
To me, (1)(A)3 gets at the heart of what we want when we make the choice to have a family: the desire to share joys, pains, experiences and points of view with the people we love.
This morning, Isaac woke me up by abruptly yanking the covers off the bed. Needless to say, I was not at my best, and grumbled to him that I wanted the covers and wanted to sleep. But he wasn't buying it.
"I want Mommy to get out of bed," he insisted.
"Sweetie, I want to sleep. What do you need?"
"I want Mommy to sit on the ground and play cars."
Instantly, I was wide awake. You want me to play cars? With you? Now? He came around the bed and grabbed my hand. "I want Mommy to get up."
I would call that a "spontaneous seeking to share enjoyment," wouldn't you?
As it turned out, we played cars for about a minute, after which he decided he was hungry, so I made french toast for him, and strong coffee for myself, and we pottered happily as the sun crept out from behind the morning clouds.
I agree, Susan, that is one of the more painful criterion. You are so right in that is one of the reasons we have a family.
I am glad to see Isaac seeking to share play time with you. It's wonderful!
Posted by: goodfountain | March 30, 2008 at 12:20 PM
I hated that part of the DX, too.
That particular page made very good mulching, as I recall.
xo
Posted by: drama mama | March 30, 2008 at 07:23 PM
Ha! In your face, DSM IV!
Love those moments of exceeding expectations.
Posted by: Christa | March 30, 2008 at 08:35 PM
what a wonderful invitation! go Isaac!!
Posted by: kyra | March 31, 2008 at 12:27 PM
ROFL! I thought for sure you were going to write that he did this at some ungodly hour of the morning!
French toast...definitely a celebratory breakfast! :-) Love it...all of it!
Posted by: Niksmom | April 01, 2008 at 01:36 PM
I love Isaac and his infinite possibilities! Hooray for you, too, Susan, in recognizing the beauty of the moment.
Posted by: kristen | April 01, 2008 at 03:39 PM
Wow!! Excellent! These small things are huge!
Posted by: Casdok | April 02, 2008 at 12:04 AM