Ch-Ch-Changes

We (make that mostly "I") am busy getting ready for BW2. I'm thinking about how to rearrange furniture, decorate the new nursery, and just generally getting the house ready for winter and a newborn. I am also watching my first baby turn into a little boy before my eyes.

Some of it is our own doing; last weekend we took a side of Soren's crib to start the transition to a big boy bed so his baby brother can have the crib. He's doing great at that and we are relieved, but it's hard to move on. I wonder how I'll feel when his real bed is set up and the baby stuff has gone to the neighboring room.

Some of it is the stuff of toddlerhood, with greater independence and a lot of "Soren do it" or "Self" which, in Sorenese means he wants to to do something without help from us. Or the ability and desire to eat his food not cut into minute pieces, but proportions that are more adult-sized: "together" as Soren calls it through tears. Occasionally, this also results in a tantrum of terrible twos proportions, which we aren't used to without gentle-spirited little boy.

And some of it are the small changes that are almost imperceptible: I noticed the other day that Soren's pudgy "rubberband wrists" are starting to disappear. I literally came close to tears at this observation. Soren's always been pretty slim, but I loved those little wrist rolls. And I'm losing them, just like I'm losing my little baby to boyhood.

These changes: physical, developmental or in our environment signal a time of transition that leaves me with some sadness as I miss the days of his infancy. But I also get great joy out of seeing the milestones and accomplishments Soren makes daily. He loves to share with others (usually). He desires to make friends. And we think he's pretty smart because two days after our first day of school, he remembers that I told him beforehand that we will "make new friends" and that he played with trucks and that we have to "wait door open" (we cannot enter the room until the door is opened by the teacher). That makes him a genius, right?!

He loves books, trucks, running, building, and his dog, Marley. He's all boy. He's still my baby. But he's growing up. Our future holds big changes as Soren turns 2 and becomes a big brother. I look back with sadness (and sweet memories) at what has already passed and I look forward with anticipation for the days to come. But most of all, I try to enjoy the moment and cherish each day we have right now. Because each day is special, each holds a unique experience or blessing or interaction with our little boy and an opportunity to glimpse the boy -- and much later the man -- God has gifted us with parenting.