Rex is a funny kid.
Veronica Reeve Photography
Anyone who knows me knows that there is nothing I like more than adventure. Make me move, throw me in a roomful of new people, ask me to visit the prison–I’m all over it. Change is exciting and fun, I live for change.
But Rex? Not so much.
Veronica Reeve Photography
Today my beautiful blond boy is turning four. We’ve decided that it’s a good thing Heavenly Father made him so beautiful because it’s the only thing that keeps people from kicking his panicked little self out of stores and restaurants and circus tents.
Rex has serious anxiety. For instance, getting him to church without a panic attack means dressing him a few hours before and talking A LOT about primary. If we wait until the last minute, he’s a wreck.
Watching him approach the pool at his first swim lesson was kind of like watching an innocent man approach the electric chair. In her twenty years of preschool and swim experience, his teacher had never seen anything like him.
His one redeeming quality is that he is NOT afraid of new people, only new places. And things. And food. And coloring books. I bought him a pre-school book to do in the mornings this summer. He freaked out so badly when I tried to give it to him, I had to double check to make sure it wasn’t covered with poisonous spikes.
Don’t get me wrong, he always comes around (except with broccoli) if we give him time and love. But life as my child is not an easy experience for our little home-body.
And he is a home-body. The flip side to his public display of slightly OCD, anxiety-riddled behavior is the easiest child in the world–when he’s in a safe environment ( i.e. any place he’s been to a minimum of twenty times, and has been thoroughly checked for monsters). Other than politely asking for food and beverages, we rarely have to discipline him for anything, and he’ll happily play with his siblings or his herd of animals all day long (the animals are his best friends, he told me that they’re all turning four today).
Veronica Reeve Photography
And so, on this fourth birthday of your life, I love you, my beautiful little Rex Henry. May your life be stable, despite all our moves, and all the schools, and living overseas, and traveling a lot…wow. Did you pick us on purpose?
Sweet birthday boy. Here are little virtual kisses coming his way. Aimed right for those perfect cheeks. (Is he afraid of kisses?)
That’s so, so very sweet. What a doll and I love the blond curls. You’re both such good parents that you give him the time he needs to adjust to things. Hope he doesn’t freak out at the family reunion…we can’t wait to see you.
He is beautiful! I love that he’s already OCD.
He is definitely beautiful! I can understand his home-body attitude…hopefully he can still survive moves all over the world… 🙂
so. stinkin’. cute. seriously. love his hair, and little grin.
He is SOOOO cute!!! Reminds me a bit of little sunbeam Annie sitting on my lap in primary so many years ago.
What a CUTE little boy –he looks just like you. Sorry he has all those “issues” to carry around at these young 4 years of his life. Ah, the joy of life and challenges. I like your new blog look as well. I have kinda been out of the blogging loop for a bit, but maybe will be back on track.
Beautiful little boy. I’m sorry about the anxiety but I’m happy he’s such a smart, wise dude.
He is adorable!!! Love those blond curls.
I’m in love with the curls!
I love Rexy! He really is the sweetest thing!!
So sooooooo cute!! You sound like such a great mom to understand him so well and work with him, he’s a lucky boy! Happy Birthday cutey!
Oh I remember those photos the first time around. He’s so gorgeous. How cute and sad about his anxiety. Hope he grows out of it.
He looks just like you Annie. Anxiety is a familiar beast at our house. Happy Birthday to him.
I love Veronica Reeve’s Photography! Happy Birthday to the little guy… he’s beautiful or should I say handsome… lol!
Wow! He is definitely a beautiful child. 🙂
I have one of those anxious children who is afraid of everything. She’s 8 now, and it’s a lot easier. I think, in fact, that years 3 to about 5 were the worst.
Happy Birthday! He’s adorable and sounds a lot like my four-year-old. When the primary tried to sing the Hello Song to him on his first day of primary he ran around in circles screaming “NO! NO! PUSH!”
He hates attention from anyone who has known him for less than his entire life.
he is adorable, your photography rocks! I didn’t realize Rex was only 4, in the fruit punch comment. That is just being a FOUR year old. They do not understand the concept of NO! It’s what makes great leaders.