Time Just Passes By

Obviously, it's been a while.  It just seems like the days fly by!  My little boy will be 20 months old next Wednesday.  I cannot believe it.  Someone the other day made the comment 'she has a little boy who's almost 2.'  I definitely think him turning 2 will be much harder for me.  Turning one was so exciting and fun, but turning 2 makes me so sad.  He's really growing up.  He has been with me for almost 2 years.  I almost cannot remember what my life was like before him.  I do remember, and sometimes I miss it...the spontaneity, the travel, the meeting for drinks after work...it's hard sometimes.  Harder still that most of my friends can still do most of those things with ease as they have a partner.  Case in point:  2 Wednesdays ago, Kristen (mom to a 5 month old) sent out an email wanting a girls' night that Friday.  Everyone else just checks with the hubs and can plan accordingly.  I have to track down a babysitter. In 2 days.  Granted I was able to, and had a great time with the girls, but it's definitely not always that easy.  Yet, I don't want to spend any awake time away from him.  Where's the logic?


So, this past Monday Tate moved up to the next class at his little school.  As always I was super nervous, but I had been wondering when he would move up as he was the oldest in his class. (though he LOVED his teacher, and she adored him). He has two new teachers, both of whom he does know.  They say he's doing great and just fit in perfectly.  He even sits at a regular kids' table for snacks and meals!!  Such a little boy now. 


And OMG does he have an opinion now.  He still isn't a talker, but he can make his opinions, wants and desires known.  I sing to him as I dress and lotion him in the evenings some lullabies.  He will whine and shake his head if I sing one he doesn't want to hear.  So, I have to guess which to sing, but we usually get to it eventually.  These days he's all about 'Jesus Loves Me.'  I think they sing it at school alot.  He knows which books he wants to hear at bedtime and in what order as well.  So amazing.  Since the night he came home I have always read 'Good Night Moon' to him.  He still loves it.


He still loves cars and airplanes and will stop in his tracks if he sees or even just hears one or the other.  When we're playing on the floor, undoubtedly he will bring several books over to be read to.  He rarely likes to play with his toys unless it's his puzzles.  Books are just his absolutely favorite.  I love that he loves me to read to him;  it just makes it difficult to have him play by himself while I make dinner or do something that needs to be done as he wants me down on the floor reading to him constantly.


As I close this, I realize that Tate is living during such a tremulous time in our world.  The earthquake and resulting tsunami in Japan has our world in shock.  The unrest and violence in Libya and Egypt has us horrified.  How blessed is my little guy to be in the United States?  Protecting him from all the ills of the world is a daunting, impossible task.  It's something I know I can't do all the time, and my heart goes out to all those mothers around the world who haven't been able to do that for their children in these sad, hard last few months.