Rockwell

Probably the most frequently used word to describe Rockwell throughout his entire life is 'fast!' This kid has endless energy and has always had shocking strength and coordination. He is extremely capable physically. 

Another trait that showed itself very early on in Rockwell's life is his logic. We have always been able to have reasonable conversations with him, and he has understood concepts well beyond his years. Here are a few examples: when he was 2 we got him a stoplight alarm clock for his room. When the light is red, he is supposed to stay in bed and be sleeping; when it turns green, it's an appropriate time to wake up and come out of bed. He understood the concept immediately and still to this day obeys it religiously.

Rockwell was terrified of sitting on the toilet for weeks and weeks before he potty trained. He never once sat on it by himself. We decided it was time to really try to potty train, and so we put 10 diapers in his room and told him that was all the diapers we had left. When they were gone, he needed to wear underwear and use the toilet. We counted down every time we used a diaper. When the last one was gone, he said, "I go on the toilet now." He walked straight to the bathroom and sat on the toilet until he went pee. He had 2 accidents the next day, and that was that. He was potty trained.

I took Rockwell on a date to see Frozen when he was 3. It was a crazy popular movie and I could tell as soon as we got out of our car and were walking in the parking lot that it was sold out for the day already. Kids of all ages were crying and screaming while they walked back to their cars, so I said to Rockwell that it looks like there aren't any more seats for the movie today. He said, "Okay Mom. Maybe we could come back and see it another time?" And that was the end of that. No crying, screaming or pouting. He just understood that there wasn't anything we could do about it and so we would try again another day. Amazing!

One of my favorite traits that Rockwell has is really showing itself as he is getting older. He is extremely kind and loyal to the people he loves. He wrestles hard with Paul, but it goes to a whole new level if Paul even mentions that he's going to get Mama. He protects me with all his might. A man at a grocery store made a joke about me cutting in front of him when we both got to a checkout line at the same time. You should have seen the glare Rockwell gave this man! The man got wide-eyed and then told him to always protect his mom like that. He said he could tell he takes good care of me. Yes he does!

Every time we go to a park and the kids meet new friends, the first thing Rockwell does is introduce Tessa and tell the kids she is his sister. He plays with her the whole time and always makes sure she's included with the big kids. 

Wyatt is Rockwell's best friend. There have been a couple times in the past 2 weeks that Rockwell has run right up to kids that he thinks are wronging Wyatt. One boy took Wyatt's basketball at the Wairhouse so Rockwell told the boy he needed to give it back. The boy was a punk and wouldn't, so Rockwell immediately gave Wyatt his own ball. At the splash pad there was a boy that was catching the water in his mouth and then spitting it on Wyatt. (Disgusting, I know.) Rockwell went right up to him and told him he needed to stop it. At Jungle Jims there was a slide that Wyatt couldn't quite make it up on his own. Every time Rockwell got to the top he would turn around and help Wyatt up the rest of the way. Rockwell has a tough exterior, but he is such a sweet kid.

Rockwell LOVES Damon!

If Rockwell could choose anything to do with his time, he would choose to be with his dad. His favorite things to do with Paul are wrestling (or ball wrestling), working on a physical project (like shoveling snow off our driveway and the whole culdesac, or buying, loading, unloading, and spreading mulch under the swingset. He's a very hard worker and doesn't quit until the job is done), and watching America's Funniest Videos together.

Rockwell has the most contagious laugh. Even when I don't have any idea what he's laughing about, I always am laughing with him because I just can't help it.

We are so proud of Rockwell. He knows who he is. He is very obedient and is a good boy down to the bone. He is going to go far in life.