The one year milestone is looming. He is walk, babbling, trying to catch older siblings, devastated when Daddy leaves the room, fussy when he is hungry, throws things on the floor when he is full, stubborn and sensitive...with all that he has only 2 more days as a baby. Toddler? That is almost a dirty word.
How did this happen? How did my youngest, my last, reach one year old? I don't feel like I saw enough, captured enough, burned enough memories into my mind or onto the pages with photos or print. I struggle with this battle all the time with Gavin and Nora but their growth (other than literally) is more stretched out these days. Sure, they still change quickly but in a matter of days rather than minutes. Dylan is doing something new too often to even count in one day. He discovered the wonderment of unloading the toy box yesterday. He isn't as intent as Nora was at the same age, at least not yet, but there is something funny about taking toys out and putting them on the floor.
Dylan had a great time in the ball pit at Seabase on Saturday. He was never happier. He could climb up and over the curb wall and threw the balls out and laughed. Isn't he too little?
Snuggle time has been reduced exponentially. He is getting into his crib at night sort of sleepy now as opposed to letting you rock him. With walking, he wants to do it himself rather than be carried to the highchair for a meal. He wants to climb up the steps before bath time or after coming home. There is less and less time in Mommy's arms. While my back and Pete's elbow thanks us for not hauling around the 27 lb bundle, my heart does not. It aches a little.
The most recent stranger anxiety/separation anxiety phase has passed allowing for a willingness to go to school to return. Now you are probably thinking - great. Most of me is too but when he is is waving bye-bye and off to search for a toy...Mommy has to let go a little more.
Things we say goodbye to for the last time...So, I say goodbye to Formula (WOOHOO, Hooray!), goodbye to baby food and cereal (woohoo, hooray), goodbye to dirty diapers that aren't too bad because now we eat big people food, goodbye to some bottles - down to four bottles a day and soon to be three, goodbye to shirts that snap (onies), goodbye to most slothes that snap...goodbye to the baby hair brush, goodbye to Puffs (doesn't want them), goodbye to baby chew toys and the Jumperoo because he wants to walk, and countless other things that slip away unnoticed. Some good - good riddins. Others, I dream of as it they occured 100 years ago and never to do again with my child.
I wanted to confess these thoughts in preparation for the big week and milestone on Wednesday, February 18 - Dylan Oswald Vitale will be one year. Only joy and pride for the remainder of the week to enjoy every moment.
Birthday boy will celebrate at home with family on Wednesday, party with family and friends at our house on Saturday and then Dylan will be baptized on Sunday. Big week ahead!
