Buddy, it has hit me over and over this month how nothing is going to stay the same with you! That reality is so exciting and yet soooo difficult for Mommy, all at the same time.
After weeks of pushing yourself up on your knees and rocking back and forth, you finally figured out how to crawl! I caught those first few scoots on video and it's hilarious. Since then you've been practicing as often as you can and you're getting to be pretty quick. Gone are the days when we could step away from you for a minute!
This month, you had your first taste of swimming and Daddy and I couldn't be prouder (pics and more details to come in another post)! By the fourth lesson, you didn't cry at all when we dunked your head under water and by the time the eighth lesson was over, you were keeping up with the two-year olds in your class! Your teacher was very impressed with you, especially in your ability to kick. We kinda think God made you to be a swimmer... guess we'll see someday!
You have also started giving "kisses," though they don't come nearly often enough for my taste. You'll lean forward, open your mouth and devour my nose or my cheek for a few seconds. Usually I have to wipe my face off afterward because you've covered me in drool. I absolutely love it.
Praise the Lord, we also survived your first tornado this month! We watched the weather all afternoon and it ended up coming within a mile of our house around 10 pm. About half an hour before it hit, we decided it was time to bring you from your crib to the basement. We set up your pack n play, turned on the noisemaker and as stealthily as we could, picked you up and carried you downstairs. You never even woke up (Daddy and I were pretty proud of ourselves)! As it was starting to get pretty nasty outside, I realized that if the electricity went out, your noisemaker would too. And you would probably wake up without it. And that would not be good for any of us. So we turned on the white noise app on my phone and put it next to you. Sure enough, a few minutes later, we lost power. Yet you continued to sleep and only woke up briefly when we carried you upstairs after it was all over. We thank God for protecting us and our home!
You transform before our eyes every single day. For someone who isn't entirely comfortable with change, I've realized that your childhood is going to be a stretch for my emotions. I look forward so much to all that is coming, but my heart pangs when I think about all that is already behind. You'll never know until you're a parent how Daddy and I cherish these days.
For that reason, it was pretty difficult when we had to leave you behind for the first time this month. We went to Colorado Springs for a weekend conference with some friends and we put you in the best of care at Mimi's. Daddy and I both cried, missing you. Mimi sent us lots of pictures and videos, but nothing comes close to the real you.
By the time we returned from Colorado, you had already gone down for the night and we didn't want to wake you. But we just couldn't stay away any longer, so we came over to Mimi's and tiptoed in as quietly as we could, just to watch you sleeping. I can't tell you how badly I wanted to hold you!
The next morning when I came to pick you up, you were different. Changes only a mommy would notice, but you were four days older and it showed. You smiled a shy little grin when you saw me, but when I tried out a few of our old jokes, you didn't think they were quite as funny. That was tough for me at first, but then I realized that we can always find new jokes. And that's ok with me, because there's nothing I'd rather do than try to make you laugh!
I think the Lord is already teaching me to hold you with an open hand and a willing heart. You are after all, His first. He didn't design you to stay a baby forever. It's a beautiful, wonderful thing that you're growing up, and it's my deep, precious privilege to witness it.
You are so special, sweetheart. We love you more than words can ever say!
