We're growing up, content

Suddenly his feet are huge and the winter/spring/ someday shoes are now fall shoes.  He has opinions about how I should wear my hair (if it's up: DOWN!, if it's down: UP!) and always wants to swing (WHEEE!).  In the mornings he wakes up with a diaper update ("oopa, Mama...") and we putter around the house, making toast and eating applesauce, with soy milk for the boy and coffee for me.  We can sit and sort buttons for an hour together, or read on the couch for longer.  We bake muffins and he pours everything, warning me that the oven is hot.  We often stroll in silence.  Sitting on the dresser we can watch the wild kingdom of squirrel chases and blue jay battles in the hazelnut tree.  We paint, putter, pick, shop, run and play together.  We get each other's jokes and experience joy, sadness, stresses, contentment and just happiness together.  Every day.  This little boy is growing up and it's such a happy time. 

I think it's taken me a long stretch to get to that quiet, gentle, happy puttering as a mama (though it's never really "quiet" with an exuberant toddler).  Embracing the right blend of pattern and freedom to our days has often been marred by "shoulds," as in "he should have the opportunity to do X" or "we should do Y" or "a good mama should do Z."  I suppose I'm growing up too.  There are lots of times when I'm really stretching for a way to get out of the house, when I know he needs to be with some other kids or when groceries or obligations await.  For the most part though, now, with the sun shining and the crisp air, with a toddler who talks to me all day long and clomps around the house in Daddy's shoes, with bread to bake and laundry to fold and just enough extra "me" stuff thrown in it's a happy time.  Schedules and weather and moods all change and sometimes I want to make up an errand and keep on driving away from tedium... exhaustion... needs.  Most of the time though we are wholly content.  Laughter races through the house, piles of books topple and he and I sneak crackers and caffeine, respectively.  I want to hold onto the way little drawings and animals sprinkle through our home, and to this peacefulness, this togetherness.  So I'm tucking it away here.

Comments

[Bex]

Yum.

[Lisa Clarke]

Aw, your post makes me miss those days when my oldest was my lone toddler. When I remember that time everything seems simpler and sweeter then, although that's probably just nostalgia talking. There are plenty of simply-sweet times with my two guys (who are 7 and 4) right here in the present!

It's nice that you're starting to feel comfortable in your mama shoes.

[Busy Bee Creations]

It's so nice reading your posts again! I missed them and you guys when you were away. Im on the list for that same book, that is so funny! What number in line are you? Im at 128:)

[Vasilisa]

I have similar sneakers! This post is really beautiful. My babe is learning new words every day now. It's funny when he's giving commands.

I love the towels! Really pretty.

Why does your son drink soy milk? Is he allergic, or is it out of ethical reasons?