Cinco!

This week, my main little man turned 5.

It's hard to believe that it's been five years since I got the call from my brother-in-law, Steve, that my sister Kim was in labor. I threw my things together, ran by MAR's office to send out the "I'm on my way to Alabama to have a nephew!" email to colleagues & friends, then drove through the night. It was an intense labor (even for those of us not on the delivery table), and after many hours, much prayer, and a long ordeal for poor Kim, Caleb Levi finally arrived.

From the second I laid eyes on him, I was in love. We should've recognized some personality traits right away -- the one-eyed glare out into the cold, cruel world; resisting the warm wrap of the hospital blanket burrito; etc. :-)

Yes, he's an only grandchild, so maybe that's why he's the light of our lives....but that little man has such a personality, I am convinced that even if he were one of 15, he would still shine his own little light brightly and proudly.

In honor of Caleb's turning five, I'm listing my top five favorite memories (so far) of the little man's fun and already full life:

5. Z-ert. Caleb's ongoing word for dessert is one of the cutest I've ever heard. He works so hard to pronounce most words like the grown-ups do, but this is one I'm thrilled he kept his own enunciation for. There's nothing quite like hearing, "What's for z-ert after this turkey, Grammi?"
4. Man's man. Since he was a baby, Caleb has preferred being around men and doing guy stuff to time with the girls. Most boys are this way, but it's hilarious the way Caleb looks practically tortured if he has to hang out with my sister and me instead of standing beside his daddy or Grandpa and just watch whatever they're doing.

3. No go Tigers! Rather than following my sister and brother-in-law's leads on what teams to cheer for, Caleb is convinced that LSU "is stinky" and Alabama is the best. Soooo funny. He is die-hard Alabama, to the point of asking us all, "Why is no one for MY team?" Stinker.

2. Just an itty-bitty girl. When Caleb was 3-ish, I was playing with him and he wanted to be Superman. Instructing me on how the game went, the little guy informed me that I was supposed to lay helpless, calling to him, "Hep me, hep me, Supa-man. I'm just an itty-bitty girl, and I can't do anything without you." Seriously!

And my number one favorite memory of Caleb Levi Wood (so far) is:

1. Da Bekah. This was the way Caleb referred to me for the longest, and I loved it. Instead of Rebekah, it was "the bekah," which came out in 1-year-old speak as "Da Bekah." Too cute. :-)

Happy birthday, sweet boy! Can't wait to see what the next five years brings us. :-)