I don't write on this blog much anymore, but between the approaching twin milestones (starting Kindergarten and turning six a day apart) and the absolute charm this kid shows as they learn and grow, I have to do a tribute, I think.
Lochlan doesn't much mind being quarantined. It means lots of moms, lots of screen time (sigh), and lots of wearing pajamas all day.
But Loch has also grown by leaps and bounds over the last 5 months (and not just the nearly inch-and-a-half in height!). Loch's gone from recognizing letters and hesitantly sounding out words, to enthusiastically asking about signs, wanting to read the chapter titles of the book I'm reading, and absolutely zipping through the nature books we insist on before screen time begins. We've even caught Lochlan reading a Star Wars encyclopedia quietly in the backseat, only occasionally asking, "What's a w-e-a-p-o-n?"
We insist on doing some exercise, and given several choices (and the heat and bad air quality), lately the number one choice has been yoga. We do it together, and Lochlan seems to really enjoy it.
When it isn't so hot and smoky (we are in the middle of fire season, and it's REALLY bad), Loch has very nearly got the hang of bike riding, which is awesome. I'm hoping soon we can go on rides together to the park, or home from Grandma's.
One night Loch seemed a little amped up before bed, and I also think we'd seen the word "meditation" somewhere, so I ran a little deep-breathing and visualization, and now L wants one every night before bed.
Sometimes Lochlan is very astute. I was having them sort, count, add and subtract some mixed nuts, and Loch looked at me sideways and said, "I know why you're doing this. You're trying to make sure I'm ready for Kindergarten."
Loch also says the sweetest things. I gave them two kisses on the cheek the other night, and then Loch turned my head to give ME two kisses. I said, "You have the sweetest heart." Lochlan replied, "Well, I didn't put it in there! You did!"
Loch is a very wiggly, moving kind of kid. We like to take videos of Loch eating ice cream at the coffee table. Loch stands up, half-dancing, shaking their booty side to side. At the moment, Loch is doing laps around the living room, periodically jumping off the couch.
Loch really, really likes to be close to me. They still ask almost every night if I'll sleep in their bed. They will crawl right on top of me if I lie down. There's a near-constant stepping and sitting on me, with accidental knees to the boob. Lochlan LOVES my "big belly" and says it's so soft. Loch likes to set up camp next to my desk, so there's often a 3 foot ring of toys and crumbs between my chair and the rest of the room.
Loch can be very sensitive, cries easily, and is sometimes quick to anger, but also loving and forgiving. A couple weeks ago, we were on a long car ride, and Az was in a wicked mood. Az had said several really intentionally mean things, including that Lochlan didn't love Az. But a few minutes later, Az asked Loch if Az could have some of Loch's car treat -- jelly beans -- and Loch happily handed them over.
Lochlan doesn't feel 100% like a boy or a girl. Lochlan has some anxiety, and makes us take photos of things that will soon be gone forever. My camera is FULL of pictures of a grape, a goldfish cracker, the TV with an animal on a nature show that is about to be prey.
I'm a little sad that Lochlan's 6th birthday will be a very small affair due to Covid-19. I'm more than a little sad that Kindergarten is going to look so different than I had hoped. We got the kinder teacher who LOVES Lochlan, and who has been "claiming" them as her own since we walked around on campus with Loch in a baby carrier. But Lochlan is a very resilient kid -- smart and funny -- and will be fine, I know. And someday we'll be back in real school and Loch will have friends and playdates and birthday parties. In the meantime, I am making a stupidly-elaborate cake that only a few of us will ever taste. Because this kid sure as hell deserves to be celebrated.
