It seems like just yesterday that Robbie was born. I'll never forget the first moment when I held him in my arms. Janae was still in surgery and my mind was trying to convince me that she was dead because she was cut open (Robbie was a c-section baby). When the doctor put that kid in my arms I knew I would give my life to protect him. His eyes were still shut, but for the first time mine were open. I had always wanted to find some sort of meaning in my life, and with him I had it. Making my father proud of me was no longer as important as making sure that Robbie knows how proud of him I am.
This is Robbie just before his first birthday (Janae has always been good at making sure we have pictures taken professionally for each kids' birthday). One thing I'll never forget is that he always had his tongue out. We were actually concerned that maybe his tongue was too big and he couldn't fit it all in his mouth. As a result of this he always had a rash under his bottom lip, as you can tell. This is easily one of my very favorite pictures of Robbie. He still had long hair, something he has not had since it was first cut shortly after his first birthday. He was such a happy kid (again, something you can see here).
Robbie was a very busy kid, always on the go... unless there
was something on the tv that intrigued him (JJ the Jetplane for example). He loved anything that would spin. It really didn't matter what the toy was as long as it had something that he could sit and continuously make spin. He would sit and use all four fingers to continue the spinning, moving his fingers towards himself, with a smile or a questioning look plastered on his face. That was our Robbie, a fun loving spinner. He was (and still is) my pride and joy.
I tried my best to spend as much time as possible playing with Robbie, and it was around his 2nd birthday that he developed a huge love of trains (or maybe it was Christmas that year, can't recall exactly). But he also loved to watch my use the computer. He would stand and just watch me play whatever game I was into at the time (at this time it was Roller Coaster Tycoon II). He loved watching the roller coasters and would impatiently wait for me to build the next big ride. He wasn't a huge attention getter, and would often play with whatever toy was currently holding his interest (not like Selena, who would prove to need constant attention). He was so full of energy, like a monkey bouncing of the walls, and we had to keep constant tabs on him. It was a full time job keeping this kid safe, and I think Janae and I did very well at doing just that.
One thing that Robbie has always loved, unlike any other kid I've ever known, is a nice nap. Even today he can still take a nap at a moments notice, oftentimes coming right home from school to catch some z's. In this picture he is curled up with his orange PB (Robbie speak for blankie), but usually he has this ugly blanket thing that my mom made for me long before Robbie was born. This thing is hideous, but he had to have it to sleep. There is a pink section that for some reason is the most important to Robbie, and he has to smell it before he'll go to sleep. Every now and then Janae will wash it against his wishes, because even though he insists it has some special scent held deep within' it's fabric that makes him happy, all we can smell is, well the exacty opposite of something that would make us happy.
His first sister, Selena Taylor Mallory, was born when Robbie was just 18 months old. At first he was really shy and stayed away from her. I don't know if it was because she scared him, or he was afraid of hurting her, but he mostly stayed away from his little sissy. It took some time but he has turned into a great big brother, and I am so proud of him for that.
Anyhow, that is my little boy. I'll have more to add to this, but for now I think you get a good idea about who he is. He is Robbie, and his daddy loves him very much!
NP: Rush - YYZ
You forgot a pic of Sammy. He has 2 sisters. Anyway good job. I'll give you a cookie.