Worth Looking Up For

No one tells you that you likely won't remember your child's first step. I thought I would. Both times. And in reality, I don't remember either.

I do remember thinking that MRA would probably start walking while I was in Spain and my parents were watching him. And I think, think, he started walking right after I returned. I am sure I talked about in the letters I write to him. But his first step. The actual first step. I don't remember.

ASA, same thing.

Its funny the things you do remember, though. Or at least what I remember. The most vivid images I have of both MRA and ASA are sometimes doing the most regular things. Sometimes, it is merely their reaction to something that is what creates the strongest memory for me.

We just returned from a week long vacation in which the pool was a VERY important part of the trip and provided hours of entertainment, as it does for most children.

Now if you have been following this blog for a while, you are probably aware that MRA has been taking some form of swimming lesson since he was about 18 months old. The pool is not such a new thing for him. (ASA has had the same lessons, although he is not as fond of the water as MRA is.)

But, back to the Notorious MRA. His most recent swim teach introduced us to this thing called a swim jogger. It is apparently they only floatation device recommended by the Red Cross. You see, the swimmer must still engage their core and can use their arms and legs to practice their strokes, as opposed to the float-y wing things that go on your arms that keep a child afloat at the shoulder level.

We bought one from the teacher and brought it with us.

Back story: Jonathan and I decided we would alternate going to the gym in the mornings. This meant whoever was not at the gym, getting fit in peace and quiet, had both Notorious and Chubalicious in the pool... ALONE.

One of us, and I am not saying who, chose to put the swim jogger on MRA. He fought it at first. However, with in minutes, he realized he could swim. And swim some more. And then when he was a little tired, he could doggie paddle around instead of hanging off me. It was a break through moment for both if us.

I'm telling you, harps were playing and the Angels were literally singing in praise. This meant I only had to hold one baby in the pool.

MRA figured out, very quickly, how to maneuver. HE. WAS. A. SHARK. Within the hour, HE WAS UNSTOPPABLE. And he was having the time of his life.

Enter Daddy.

Jonathan comes strolling into the pool area post work out, spots our things and proceeds to take his shirt off. The three of us are about halfway across the pool.

I'm not sure I will ever forget what happened next.

MRA begins beaming... and screaming, "DADDY LOOK AT ME!, LOOK AT ME DADDY, DADDY LOOK!!!! DADDY LOOK!" And as most of us parents so frequently do, he continued with what he was doing, being so used to hearing "LOOK AT ME!". (I should add here, that if the situation was reversed, I would likely have done the same thing.)

MRA was frantically swimming towards the pool edge closest to Jonathan. I took off after him. I just kept thinking, "Look up. Please look up." I was willing my husband to look up to no avail. I thought, "Should I scream across the pool to get his attention. No, I can't do that. My voice won't carry enough for him to hear me and I will just annoy everyone within earshot."

MRA continued his yelling. Right about then, I got close enough to say, "Look at MRA. He's swimming by himself." And just as the words were coming out Jonathan looked up on his own and praised MRA. (In real time, this all went down in probably 30 seconds.)

The excitement that MRA felt to show off his newly found independence and the joy that spread across that child's face when his Daddy saw him and praised him will be forever burned into my mind.

Later, when the children had fallen asleep, Jonathan and I were talking about what happened. It was such a great reminder to stop and pay attention because that moment, was just that, a moment. We will never get it back. And it was so worth looking up for.

Happy Labor Day weekend, to all!

Wordless Wednesday

Whose Who?

One of these is Chubalicious (ASA) and the other is my husband? Guess who is who. Ok, I know, the hair is a giveaway. But if you can mentally place those curly blond locks on the photo below....

Wordless Wednesday

Shiny, Sparkley Things and A Green Ballon.

MRA is a Scorpio. I am not a big follower of astrology but I think Scorpio's tend to be a bit on the selfish side. MRA is no exception. Part of this is his age, at three and half, it's typical to be egocentric; but, part of it is him. Most definitely.

Now just because he is selfish does not mean he isn't thoughtful. I think sometimes those things can be confused, but MRA is definitely thoughtful. But the thoughtfulness is not consistent... yet. It happens in spurts.

Like this weekend.

On Sunday, while at the grocery store. The man bagging our groceries asked if MRA wanted a balloon. Well, yeah. There was no way he was turning down a balloon and immediately asked if he could have a green one. So, with the groceries bagged, we pushed our race car shaped cart over to the helium tank to wait for the prized green balloon.

The man attached the balloon to a white ribbon, tied a loop at the end and slid it onto MRA's little hand. I had prompted him to say thank you and was waiting for him to show a little graciousness. But instead, instead, MRA said, "Can I have another one, a blue one, for my brother?"

ASA was at home with Daddy. Out of sight, out of mind... or so I thought. MRA's thoughtfulness struck me hard and I felt a well of pride in him.

It didn't end there though. I had also taken MRA to the store to make a return. On the way, I may have been a little side tracked by another store. And, I may have walked in. My intention was just a quick peek but I ended up in the dressing room.

MRA spotted a display of necklaces and pulled off several of the biggest, chunkiest, most colorful and sparkly necklaces there and brought them to me insisting that I put them on. All of them. At the same time.

I did and then tried to explain to him that I was not going to buy them and asked if he would put them back. He stared down at the twinkling, sparkling faux jewels in his hand and returned all but one. Then he ran off to hide in the racks. I checked out and was about to leave when he came bouncing out and said, "Mama, what about this one?"

I tried to explain that I had already paid and since he was busy playing he missed his opportunity to pay for the necklace. This discussion went on for several minutes and he became more and more upset. I could sense the melt down coming. Choosing my battles, I returned to the checkout counter with MRA still clutching the necklace and asked the sales lady the price. It was on clearance and came to a total of $8.48. So we bought it.

MRA was so very proud and carried it in the little bag out of the store. But first he explained to me and the sales lady (and the sales lady in the next store). That the necklace was for me. To wear when I have been good. To wear to work. And when I did, my boss would think I'm pretty.

Oh, the sweetness (and thoughtfulness). Never mind that he has no clue whether my boss is a man or a woman or whether my boss would care about my necklace. He just wanted me to be pretty.

To MRA, I say good thinking, little MRA. Sparkly shiny things, especially jewelry, often make us feel pretty. But so do kindness and thoughtfulness and showing that you care about others. Please remember that when you are in your twenties.

And I don't mind the necklace one bit!

Wordless Wednesday