Both boys have started calling Scooter "Whemie." The only
explanation I can get from them is that his cries sounds like a "whem."
Tom and I have always felt strongly about our little pet names we give
the kids, but I felt even stronger about them when Bub and Teebs came up
with this pet name of their own. I don't think there is a more profound
way to tell someone "you are mine and I love you" than to give them a special nickname. Bub and Teebs love their Whemie.
When Bub was smaller I used to write down these quips of genius that Bub said in his little two year old voice. Taken out of
context and broken down into small poetic lines, to me, added this misty layer
of childhood beauty. Now that there is so much conversation between Bub and Teebs with Scooter's patient listening ears, I've started jotting down their
words again. Like last night when Teebs curled around Scooter on the floor and loudly
narrated their interaction to me.
He loves me!
Why he touch his head on my neck?
He touch my nose too! He hitted me!
Is he happy?
He was so excited he almost screamed it to me. The level of loudness directly
correlates to their level of pride.
Or this morning when I soothed Scooter's cries with a
cooeing "I'm here, I'm here, mamas here" and Teebs didn't miss a beat
but robustly nuzzled into his ear and mimicked me:
I'm here too, I'm here too,
I'm here too!
The subtle intricacy of their words makes me wonder about the little boy
whispers that happen in the dark of bedrooms at night time that I don't get to hear. Sometimes I stand outside Bub and Teebs' door just to listen in on their babbles. And as adorable as they are I almost feel like an intruder, like those little boy giggles in the dark and storytelling aren't meant for me. Because they are sacred, the building of brotherly bonding.
Scooter is 6 weeks old tomorrow. How that is possible, I don't know. But in 6 weeks the brothers have bonded, all three of them, and I think that's important to say. They haven't merely tolerated or coexisted, they have bonded. It's what I've wanted since our ultrasound showed us another little boy.
A few days ago Teebs caught me off guard when I told him I loved him and he confidently replied "I loves you louder!" In a way I have no idea what he means. But in a way, I know exactly what he means. I understand every word, because the boys, Bub Teebs and their little Whemie, they love each other louder.









