The Meaning of Spit-Up

Ezra is a spitter. Ethan has likened his little brother's regurgitation habits to both a fountain and "milky flood". The poor baby goes through at least three outfits a day because he just can't seem to contain himself. At any given time, if you were brave enough to venture a sniff at his neck or at my shirt/shoulders/hair/arms/back/ankles (you get the idea), you would likely be overwhlemed by the pungent aroma of sour milk. (Anyone out there feeling the urge to snuggle up real close to me right now?)

Not too long ago Ethan was being extra helpful with Ezra and was holding him while I tried to make dinner. I say "tried" because wih five kids 7 and under most everything I do is merely just an attempt to accomplish something without any real hope of actually getting it done. As Ethan bounced Ezra in his lap (note to future parents: rule #1 with a spitter...You must NEVER bounce) the hour old milk in his little tummy became understandably disturbed and his digestive system responded with ire by gifting Ethan with a splash of curdled milk which landed on his neck and trickled down onto his arms and shirt.
"EWWWWWWWWWW!" came the startled cry of a totally grossed out 7 year old, "HE SPIT UP ON ME!!!"
I rushed over, arms outstretched, ready to catch the flying baby that I was sure Ethan was about to eject from his arms. Fortunately, he had enough presence of mind in his crisis to hold on to Ezra as I belly flopped face first at Ethan's feet in a slide that would have made any baseball fan applaud.
"It's okay buddy!" I said quickly, "Babies only spit up on people they love. This is a good thing. It means he really loves you!"
"Oh", said Ethan, as if that made complete sense, "okay....but can I go change my shirt?"
"Sure!" Whew! Crisis averted with nothing lost but some laundry detergent.

So, yesterday, Asa was begging to hold Ezra. I situated our little doll in his big brother's lap and the two of them sat face to face, smiling at each other. Something about holding a baby seems to bring out the bounce or sway in all of us and Asa is no exception. It took just a few bounces and another gift was spewed forth, this time right on Asa's shocked face.
"MOMMY! MOMMY!", he screamed.
"It's okay, Ace, let me-"
"HE LOVES ME! EZRA LOVES ME!"
I tried to stifle my giggle as Ethan and Julia raced into the room to find out what all the commotion was about.
"Ethan!" Asa exclaimed, pointing proudly at the sour white liquid dripping down his cheek, "Look! Ezra spit up on me and that means he loves me!"
Ethan wrinkled his brow...considering...comparing
"Yeah, I guess." he finally conceded.
"But he loves me more," he added quickly, puffing out his chest, "My whole shirt was covered!"

And that, my friends, is true brotherly love.