Looking Back

My friend Suzannah had told me how the week before Nicholas' birthday she was weepy about her little man turning one, she did some maternal nesting trying to get things in order for her family. I am afraid the same feelings have overtaken me this morning. What a whirlwind this past year has been- amazing, tiring, challenging, miraculous, hilarious- all rolled into one little package. Parenthood is so much more than one can ever imagine. Looking back at that tiny baby who was swimming in his newborn clothes you can hardly recognize him as the little boy toddling before me today. Chase has so much personality and spunk (I am afraid he gets that from him mother). I am sad to have grown out of the baby stage and into the toddler stage but I am also excited about watching the many new things that lie ahead. Ryan was just saying how fun it will be when Chase can verbally respond to us. Although with that also comes the "No, I'm not going to"and "Nobody loves me" to name a few. Many more adventures await us! I can't wait to see what kind of little boy he will become- actually I can wait, I want to soak up every toddler moment I can before that too is gone.

I found this poem that I love that summarizes how I am feeling today:

To have a child

is to be given

the world to hold

in your hands...

And the entire universe

to try to fit

inside your heart.

Douglas Pagels