In just under two weeks, Simon will be one year old. It is hard to believe that a year has already gone by…but then he is so much a part of our family that I can’t believe it has only been a year.
Yesterday we went to get portraits taken of Simon at one year old. We dressed Elias in a matching sweater just in case he was willing to get his picture taken. Elias is usually very resistant to getting his picture taken so I wasn’t getting my hopes up. When we arrived, though, Elias was excited about the experience. He was talkative and helpful, and happy. When the photographer said it was his turn to sit next to Simon, he happily walked up and sat down right next to his brother. He did everything the photographer told him to. He hugged his brother. He kissed his brother. He stood or sat next to his brother….up until the very end. He refused to lay on his stomach and have Simon on his back. But I was thrilled…we got some great pictures of the boys.
But what really struck me the most was this picture:
Of course Simon’s eyes had to be half closed! But the picture really touches me. Elias looks genuinely happy to be next to his brother. This picture shows what’s inside his heart: he loves his brother.
We’ve come a long way from here:
Elias has his frustrations with Simon occasionally. But they get along most of the time. Elias hugs and kisses his brother of his own volition. He randomly says phrases such as, “I love Simon.” at the dinner table. He helps Simon and plays with Simon. He loves his brother.
I asked Elias if he remembered when Simon was a baby. I asked him if he remembered when Simon was not here yet. He claims he does not. Simon is as much a part of him as we are.
I remember being so worried in those first few months after Simon came home….when Elias wouldn’t even be in the same room as him and when he cried every time Simon cried.
That is all in the past. Now we are celebrating Simon’s first year, and it is only onward and upward from here.