First of all, I want to start out this post with a warning. I am about to puke good thoughts upon the internet. Although it seems of late that the entire blogging universe has pains far greater than I, I insist on telling this world that for some god-forsaken reason, D and I are raising a well-adjusted and... wait for it.... completely awesome kid.

Parent Units will now attack my email box telling me that they knew this and they know that I know this because if they know it, they have told me - countless times that Franklin is a knarly dude and that D and I are knarly parents.

Yes, but seriously? For women who discuss the subtle differences of Thomas the Train characters with airport attendants and other women who relish in the thought of sending plastic airplanes repeatedly in through the mail with chocolate inside that may or may not melt but who cares because it's chocolate....

You guys are a tad biased.
You know?

However, lately Franklin has done some things and reacted in certain ways in the last little while that have reassured us that yes, we aren't passing on too many of our socially inept genes.

I suppose I need to get a little specific so here goes:

Last week, he stood up to a really big kid in defense of a little friend. I wasn't there to see it but the pride in D's voice and the way he re-enacted the entire scene for me made me want to jump up and down with joy. I was worried that he was too timid to do this. I like the fact that he is sensitive and that he seems to experience his feelings bigger than many of his peers, but what if it too much? What if he was a.... pussy? So to speak?

Well, I can relax. Franklin may worry about the temperature outside for the insects, the flowers and the vehicles as well as become mortally wounded if his pants get wet, however he will also grab the back of your shirt and tell you to wait in line like everyone else.

As well, he wants everything to be okay. He was hurt the other day by another friend and when this other kid was told to get Franklin some ice (it wasn't as bad as actually needing ice but it was a way to say sorry and try to fix things), Franklin gave the other kid a hug - or at least, he tried to. He just wanted everything to be okay. I think the childcare workers found it odd that he was so accomodating but he is extremely forgiving.

When we were first told that we were having a boy this is what I promised myself; that I would raise him to know that saying "I love you" and showing affection is okay. He would also know that growing up to be a woman is just as cool as growing up to be a man. That part hasn't really been realized yet, but I'm patient.

I think we're doing okay.