Hey, Q-man! Look who’s a big boy now! You’re almost eleven
months old, and you’ve learned so many new things. You’re not a little baby
anymore.
You easily pull yourself up on everything – the couch,
activity table, baby gate, toy box, crib rail. You can climb up stairs. The world is yours to explore
and conquer. You’re starting to walk along the furniture and you can push your
activity table and high chair across the room.
I smile and watch you go.
Soon, Mommy and Daddy are going to have a toddler on their
hands. Good thing you like to be chased around! In the meantime, you crawl at the speed of light. You can get
from point A to point B in no time on those hands and knees, and I love to get
down on the floor right along with you. You wrestle me to the ground, plant a
big, slobbery kiss on my face, and crawl over me to get to the next thing that
catches your eye.
I smile and watch you go.
You’re even learning how to sign now! You make the signs for “more” and “all done.” You’re such a smart
boy! You chatter even more now, which we didn’t think was possible.
You mimic sounds you hear Mommy and Daddy make and string the sounds together
to make your words. It’s so cute how you laugh when you hear us laugh. With
your chatter and laughter, you go on and on and on.
I smile and watch you go.
It sounds cliché to say that time is going by so fast, but it’s true. My heart swells
with pride at each new thing you learn, but I admit it’s bittersweet. Each new
development, big or small, is one stage farther away from being my baby boy and
one stage closer to being your own man. I want to slow time down and enjoy each stage a little longer.
Sometimes, I wish I could stall time completely, like in the movie Groundhog Day, and relive this day over
and over. I want to wake up every morning and know for certain that today is
not any closer to the day when you start kindergarten. Or the day you borrow
the car for the first time. Or the day you leave for college. Or the day you
get married and start your own family.
I will be so incredibly proud of you on each of those days. I will be overcome with joy and love for you.
I will smile and watch you go.
But not today.
I love you, sweet boy.
~ Mommy
~ Mommy
