The Adventures of #1 Son, Superhero Extrodinare

When I was in the hospital, #1 Son repeatedly told QM that he was a superhero. He's been convinced of this "fact" for quite a while. Today he's lived up to his promise.

Last night he and his dad had a long conversation about the responsibilities of a big brother including taking care of his new little sister. #1 Son informed us that if Bitsy were ever in trouble, he would grab her and hold her until Daddy could come and save her. I was very careful to explain that this was only to happen once Bitsy was old enough to walk & play outside with the other kids. I had visions of him attempting to snatch her out of the playpen every time a dog barked. He agreed readily to the stipulation, much to my relief.

Husband also asked him how he liked being the "man of the house" while Daddy was at the hospital with Mommy & Bitsy. #1 Son responded, "Yeah, but Grammy had to help me."

Today Husband took BabyGirl & B.B. to the doctor (they both had red bumps that turned out to be bug bites...but B.B.'s had been infected leading us to worry a bit). #1 Son wasn't happy about being left at home until his dad told him he needed to "take care of Mommy & Bitsy." He decided to take his responsibility very seriously.

I told #1 Son he needed to clean his room so he could play out side when everyone came home. He kept insisting he needed help. I told him I was feeding the baby and couldn't help. He headed to his room only to yell back, "Why can't Bitsy help me clean?" When I told him she was too little, he said I could help her help him. He finally decided his stuffed horse Macaroni could help, but first I had to have a talk with Macaroni about cleaning up.

While he was cleaning, Bitsy was nursing and she let out a loud squawk. #1 Son came running in the living room and asked what was wrong. I told him nothing and he said, "I heard Bitsy cry & I thought there was trouble. I was coming to get her and save her from the trouble." I assured him that all was well & he went back to cleaning his room.

Shortly after Husband left, I was letting Andrew back in the house when Lilly bolted out the front door. I'm assuming she's sensed weakness in me and decided to take advantage of the situation. She made a bee line for the horse lot & I was left standing on the porch yelling at her to get back in the house. I turned and told #1 Son to keep an eye on Bitsy (But DO NOT PICK HER UP) while I caught the dog. After a minute, I went in to check on the kids. #1 Son was standing by Bitsy's playpen talking to her. I asked if ever thing was OK & he said, "I'm telling her about eating good food so she can grow up big and strong like me." (This is the kid who lives on peanut butter and hot dog buns.) I caught the dog fairly quickly (thanks to a distraction caused by Bossy Flossy the kitten) and went back in the house. As I walked in the door I heard, "You see her? The one in the pink shirt? Yeah, that one's Mommy."

Once Bitsy went down for her nap, I asked #1 Son to roll the laundry hamper to the laundry room for me. He helped me sort clothes & load the washer & rolled the hamper back to the bathroom. He yells from the bathroom, "Mommy, there's no trouble in your bathroom!!" I was so relieved. Then I sent him to put his step stool back in the other bathroom & he told me, "I'll check for trouble in there too." So I can now rest assured that there is no trouble lurking anywhere in the house.

He's outside playing now with BabyGirl & B.B. & Daddy. They were heading out on a four wheeler ride when I let Andrew out again and #1 Son said, "Mommy, tell Bitsy that Grandma that lives with Aunt SIL loves her." I guess they'd been up to MIL's house earlier & he had a message to deliver.

It must be hard being a superhero.

*The picture is #1 Son's hands, my hand, and Bitsy's hand. He was holding her.