My son just turned 10 months old and is a pro at crawling and is close to walking. A whole new world is being discovered at every turn. I’m fascinated watching him explore. His little chubby legs sometimes collapse, and he’ll fall back, but will get right back up. Occasionally he'll get frustrated and cry over not being able to grab my iPhone so I switch it out with an appropriate toy, which distracts him and he can move on.
He might bump his head playing and cry a little, so I make sure that he’s OK, kiss his head and tell him I love him and off he goes again. He’ll just start laughing when he’s discovered something that truly pleases him. Some mornings I wake up so tired and can feel depressed; but once I see his smile, and hear his laughter, any sign of depression I may have had is instantly washed away. My focus is redirected and the small things that he does matters, but the rest, truly doesn’t.
The to-do list will get done, the dishes may or may not get done and my hair definitely won’t be perfect. So, I’m starting to see life in a different way. I’ve never been more tired, but I’m laughing more and enjoying each day as it comes. His laughter becomes contagious and it truly is the best medicine. Some days are better than others, and I make sure I take little moments for self-care so I still keep a sense of self.
Being a mother has already taught me true joy and a deep love that I have never known. So, watching him play, fall and get up again and again, bumping his head and moving on, laughing at the simplest things, my little 10-month-old has taught me so much already. He's especially taught me how to be more patient, appreciate the little things and just learn to breathe.
