Oh, to be 3 again

Anyone who has ever had a 3-year-old knows that it is a challenging age, to say the least.  If only we could jump inside the mind of these little ones and figure out exactly what is going on in there!  Literally since the week he actually turned 3, Jackson has mastered the art of persistence and independence.  "Pick your battles" has become a daily motto in our house lately.  So what if he refuses to wear actual pajamas to bed and only wants a sports jersey outfit of some sort?  So what if he insists on wearing his baseball t-shirt backwards because he likes the number to be in the front?  So what if he refuses to wear sandals in the 100-degree heat and insists on wearing "high socks" and "cleats" (gym shoes) like the baseball players do? I'm sure one day he will see those pictures and cringe, but for now it doesn't really matter, does it?

In other ways, there's nothing I wouldn't give to have the pure innocence of a 3-year-old.  I am constantly amazed at how Jackson is not phased in the slightest by everything going on with Luke.  To him, irrigating Luke twice a day because he can't poop on his own is just the norm.  Multiple therapists coming into the home on a daily basis is fun for Jackson because they all bring really cool toys and contraptions and are ever so gracious in watching him show off his baseball, football, soccer, etc. skills, all while focusing on Luke's therapy.  Going to the doctor is now a treat for Jackson because he knows that Luke goes all the time.  When Luke was stuck in the same position last weekend for his 48-hour EEG, head wrapped like a mummy, Jackson just continued to play and run around him like it was no big deal.  He thought the video monitor was super cool and kept trying to bend down with his bat and ball to get his baseball skills on camera.  I'm sure the doctor got a kick out of that when he watched the footage!

Yet again, Jackson (and Olivia) will watch as we leave for the hospital tomorrow with Lukey.  This usually means that lots of fun people come and play with Jackson while we are gone, so I'm sure he will be just fine.  He won't know the sadness and worry that Pete and I will feel as Luke gets poked and prodded over and over, or the anxiety we will feel as we await more test results.  His innocence will get him through these days, and that will get us through ours (along with the amazing support of our family and friends).  We are remaining hopeful, but some days it sure would be nice to embrace that sweet innocence of being 3 again.