A Seismic Change In Our Family Solar System
by Jenners • 08/16/2009 • BB/The Little One • 34 Comments
In the beginning, the Little One’s solar system orbited around a warm, loving, life-giving and nurturing sun. (That would be me.) I was the center of his universe. The one he valued over all others. The one who was missed. The one who was cried for when it came time to go to school. The one he called in the middle of the night. The one whose hand he always wanted to hold. The one who he always wanted to be with.
What A Loving Sun I Am!
It is a wondrous and glorious thing to be the center of someone’s universe. (It is a feeling I’ve been mourning since the first few years of my life when I — the first-born child and the first-born grandchild — was the center of quite a few universes until other lesser celestial beings (i.e., brothers and cousins) came along and stole my bright shining glory and demoted me to one of the numerous moons circling Jupiter1.)
But a few weeks ago, a terrible event happened. A cataclysmic change in the Little One’s solar system. I would go so far as to call it the equivalent of a supernova2.
A Supernova (explosion of a star). Cool, eh?Mr. Jenners took this photo with his superduper telescope camera (NOT!)
In one sudden and powerful explosion, I was no longer the sun. There was a new bright shining star in the Little One’s universe — a “more attractive, fun, intelligent and cool”3 star. Suddenly, the Little One’s father (that would be Mr. Jenners) was the center of his universe. This seismic change was accompanied by quotes such as:
- “I love Daddy more than Mommy. Daddy is so cool and awesome.”
- “Why do you have to go to work, Daddy? I don’t want to be stuck with Mommy.”
- “You’re my best buddy, Daddy. Mommy is just a friend.”
- “Daddy was telling me about how to make good choices. Now that I’m older, I can make my own choices and now I choose Daddy. I have information now.”4
The New Sun and his son are beyond cute — but almost sickeningly so. Watching them pal around and express their mutual admiration of each other has made me quite ill (and perhaps a teeny tiny itty bitty little bit jealous) at times.
And as for me … well, I’m out here on Pluto — the lonely little planet5 orbiting way out on the edge of the solar system — cold, icy, dark and alone. But hey — give me some good books, a computer and an occasional night out at the movies and I’ll be just fine.
Hey! It’s Dark Way Out Here! Could I Get A Little More Light? I Can’t Read!
1 Can you tell we’ve been reading some books about the solar system lately? I’m amazed how little I either remembered or knew in the first place. For example, did you know that the first four planets are made of rock but the next four are made purely of gas? News to me!
2 Do you know how tedious it is to write this post and to have to constantly double-check that I’m using my newfound astronomical information correctly? But nothing but the most scientifically accurate information in my long and complicated metaphor for my beloved readers!
3 Mr. Jenners’ words — not mine. I threw up in my mouth a little as I typed them.
4 I cannot even tell you how much Mr. Jenners LOVED this. He’s been trying to teach the Little One about how he is old enough now that he can start making choices and that there are good choices and bad choices. Little did I know that this little life lesson would take effect and be used against me so quickly.
5 Poor Pluto. I don’t think he is even a planet anymore. Maybe a dwarf planet, but I think he was stripped of his title a few years back. Remember that? Nothing like a sudden announcement like “Hey…only 8 planets now” to rock your world a little bit.
Dang – that happens too quick. Boys and dads – poor pluto.
This post is awesome! Don't worry he will flip back to you being his favorite again at some point
Just enjoy the time when Daddy is home and he wants to be only with him
Welcome to Pluto. Its been lonely here =p
Great writing.
Oh, I gave you an award – check out my blog, Monday's post.
Your analogy is brilliant – and your footnotes hilarious! Not to worry, your days of being the Sun will return…Princess Nagger goes through Sun Phases…
Awww…Kaylee went through her first phase of that a while back, and it sucked like no other. It ripped my heart out for a short time. And now that you write this, I realize it's bound to happen again. I am still seriously just in awe of your insanely brilliant writing style. This was just a kick ass post, lady. Seriously. And your Little One says some funny stuff. "I have information now…" Oh my GOODNESS!
What a hilarious post! Love your metaphor! Don't worry – he loves you really.
As for Pluto – it has now been degraded or plutoed. Read all about it here:
http://ladyfi.wordpress.com/2009/02/08/the-planet-formerly-known-as/
heh-heh
Oh hon, he'll be back I promise. Because you are the only Mom he'll ever have. Dad is like fun for now – but really? Does dad kiss his boo-boos? Uh huh.
I LOVED when you put 'that would be his father' in brackets!
Beyond funny!!
I'm sorry…(and you are such a loving sun).
If it makes you feel any better my son has preferred daddy pretty much from the moment he was weaned.
He asks me for snacks and to change his diaper, but for everything fun he wants dad.
He'll come back- it goes in ebbs and flows…
Also I am sad for Pluto! I just heard it's not considered a planet and it's my favorite. (I don't know why!)
No matter what he says, little boys always love their mamma's best.
ouch!! The Little One is blinded by son spots. Once his vision adjusts, he'll be lookin' elsewhere. Don't feel eclipsed… it's just a matter of time 'til dad's dark side sends the Little One into a different orbit. Either that… or consider another pregnancy. Then you'll see some kind of jealous.
Aww -you'll be back on top before too long. Mr. Jenners is clearly bribing him in some way
And I'm with you – what the heck happened to Pluto?? You can't be a planet that long and then suddenly be demoted!
Hmph. Clearly Mr. Jenners is using some sort of mind tricks on your baby! Mommy is always top dog!
Oh, Jenners…you make me laugh and laugh and laugh. One day, I am going to just happen to be in New Jersey. Enjoy the break while it lasts. I sure could use one, myself.
I am positive you have some books waiting to be read.
I know exactly how you feel hun.
My boys tell me numerous times that they hate me…ask when Daddy will be home etcetc.
Time for another baby so you can be #1 again!
First, I am glad to know that I am not the only one who has to review information just to keep up with my son's questions. I am the sun in two little boys universe right now and I think I won't mind it when they prefer daddy. But maybe I will…..
I can already see this happening with my guy, but I have a plan…and it involves candy…lots of candy.
Oh, no! Bless your heart. Surely it's just a phase and Mr. Jenners will do something soon to break Little One's heart (like refuse him oreos) and he'll come running back to Mommy.
As one who has had TWO very LONG stints as a single mom, I welcome the addition of a sun tag team in our solar system.
It's tough being the sun all the time.
Oh no! How can it be? Is this going to happen to me too? But he's mine! All mine! I get this one. They can't all be daddy's!
And poor Pluto. It's not a planet anymore. But worse is the fact that some of the stars we see in the sky aren't really there anymore. That makes me sad.
Poor Jenners! I wish I was a little less of the sun sometimes, though. Five years of having the little guy attached to me is a LONG time. He's starting to choose Dad every once in a while but he always comes back to me and latches back on … and he's heavy!
Awwwww… bless your heart. Speaking as someone whose little star seems permanently velcroed to my her big yellow butt, it gets old.
Did that make you feel better?
Nah, I didn't really think it would.
I could loan you a little star, if you'd like. She's older than yours and a pain in the big yellow butt sometimes, so if you say no, I'll understand. Just let me know.
Indeed, Pluto was demoted to dwarf planet status! I'm sure you're more important than that! Maybe the moon – temporarily.
I LOVE the analogy. Quite brilliant!
BG has been pulling the same thing but lately she tells the hubs, no I don't love you LM loves you. I love mommy. Breaks my heart for him, lol.
Awww – he will come around again. It is tough, though, I know.
That photo is amazing.
I don't have any parental advice to give you, but now, thanks to you and your mention of Pluto, I've got "Interplanet Janet" going through my head.
He'll come around to your "sun" soon! All my boys went through their "why can't Daddy stay with us phase". I'm noticing that my daughter is now "preferring" Daddy's hand over mine when we're out and about. Of course, my husband is enjoying all the attention. By the way, I have grabbed my son's astronomy book once in a while to brush up on those planet facts. It still interests me. Cool photo from Mr. Jenners too.
Awww… don't worry. You may not be the sun anymore, but you'll never be Pluto. Just wait for an eclipse or something, then make your move and steal your title back!
Oh that is not fair at all. Boo!
BTW, the footnotes are cracking me up!
Wow your husband is quite the photographer.
Don't worry, it will shift back, it always does. I see it a lot in my nanny job.
That was hysterical! Those quotes were outrageous fun. My daughter never once preferred my husband but my son did and like you, I did not enjoy it to its fullest. I gotta tell ya that he's back. I'm the sun for both children now and forevermore. Worry not, Pluto!
Aww Sweetheart, he will be back, I can tell you that for sure.
His infatuation with daddy is all good & even tho you know that….it can hurt a bit I know!
But your little one will be back to adoring you later on, but actually in a much better, more gentle & sweet way, as he realizes that you are "one of them" the always mysterious GIRL world creature!
Hang on & enjoy some alone time for now!