A week from today, our beloved Middle turns SEVEN. This is a difficult concept for a *young* mom (SUCH AS MYSELF) to grasp, this whole second-is-seven business.
[pulls back forehead wrinkles, ignores crows feet, hides grey hairs, promises to stop wearing mom jeans, whispers "you're not *that* old"to herself three times in the mirror]
*ahem*
Whatever the case, today an article detailing the struggles of the second-born caught my eye. Usually I pass on by stuff like that, but today I took the bait. The whole premise of the article was how second-borns are *the worst* so I went on looking for humor and tongue-in-cheek truth. [click!]
...And I found it. It was funny and sarcastic and self-deprecating, which lands firmly in my camp. Most of it, though, didn't really apply to our second born. While Ellery has a lot of qualities I tend to consider "middle," the writer wasn't really pegging our girl. But it was funny, so I read on.
Then I came to this last bit:
"5. Stubborn takes on a whole new meaning. If you’ve fallen victim to one of the most classic blunders, engaging in a battle of wills with a second-born child, my heart goes out to you. Most participants will either lose or die. No matter the age, people under the influence of this curse are notoriously stubborn and would prefer to chew off their own arm than give in to their opponent. Battles typically ensue when someone wants a second-born to do something. From brushing teeth to doing homework, should a second-born sense that you have anything at all invested in the outcome of your desire, suit up and prepare for a battle of epic proportions.
The curse of the second-born child typically results in years of struggle and pain-in-the-assery for all involved, but should you or someone you love be affected by this, there is a bright side. A cursed second-born has something special that sets them apart: a heart the size of the sun. She loves with ferocity, washing away the anger she inspired minutes ago with one precious look. Take heart, steel yourselves and expect the unexpected with these gems. They will forever mock your pain, but you will fall fast in love."
THIS.
THIS IS OUR ELLERY.
Emotions with gusto.
Fierce in love and war.
Unprecedented joy with unmitigated anger.
Immovable as granite, gentle as fresh snow.
"She loves with ferocity, washing away the anger she inspired minutes ago with one precious look."
Once she figures out she had this superpower, John and I are ess.you.in.kay.
SUNK.
But hopefully we have a few minutes before she realizes it.
