Saying goodbye to warm weather...

I know it's been a week since I've updated this. It's been a long week. We've all got some version of a cold, Andy's asthma is acting up again, and we've spent every spare minute cutting/splitting/hauling/stacking and burning firewood. In addition to getting/installing/adjusting/readjusting and using our new woodstove. And I won't mention that someone (we won't mention names) has been getting up a LOT during the night the last few days. Add to that the fading of summer and warm temperatures, and I've just been tired and unmotivated in general.

This time of year always makes me think of change. Although I know it is necessary, and usually a sign of growth and progress, it tends to be bittersweet at times. And then I look into the face of my boy who is growing so fast and learning so much, and I am overwhelmingly proud and sad at the same time. He can take 2 or 3 steps on his own now, and his interest in walking has picked up again, I think. Once in awhile he babbles something that sounds like a word, but I rarely have time to stop and decipher it.

I was changing his diaper the other day, and I kept saying "ICK!..this is so gross!". And he started saying ICK and laughing. So that was kinda cute. I'm not sure if it qualifies as a first word though. Even if it does, I may hold out for a better one to put in the scrapbook. And he has my warnings down pat. "Ah, ah, ah...don't touch that" (he'll open his mouth and raise his eyebrows and copy the ah, ah, ah part - even before I say it sometimes if he knows he's doing something that will produce that response) or "No, no, no - come back over here". He's pretty good with the no, no, no on that one. He sounds like a record that's skipping, he'll just keep on repeating it while he's getting into some sort of trouble. Sometimes he'll even point at me while he chants it. Or motion for me to come to him, instead. Man...the backtalk already! At least he does it with a smile (or mischevious grin, depending on your angle).

So here we are, on the verge of real communication, and locomotion of the upright variety. I should be thrilled! And I am - he's turning out to be such a wonderful person. But everytime I turn around he's leaving some other milestone behind him - all those pesky baby traits. You know, the ones I've cursed and prayed to end at one time or another. Now I take the time to cherish each one...knowing that they are slipping through my fingers like sand. It's a good thing they are leaving me a handsome, talented, smart boy in their place...otherwise it may not be bearable.