The Days are Long, but the Years are Short

Being a mom has been the most rewarding and fulfilling experience of my life. I have had the privilege of being at home with my son for the last 21 months of his life. It hasn't always been easy, but it has definitely been worth it. 

I don't know how we got to this point, where I will be going back to work in a month and he will be starting daycare, but here we are! I wanted to document some of the moments and memories that he won't remember, but that I will never forget. So I share them here, in hopes that he can read it one day and know just how much joy he brought to my days- even though they were long. 

Our days start bright and early, just before 7am, to which I say he is preparing me for back to work! As soon as he is up, he is ready to go, usually saying "Hi Mama, Hi Dada, Down!" He wiggles his way out of our arms, off the bed, and darts to the stairs, where we remind him to hold railing and go slowly. He loves the stairs and can often spend time going up and down, up and down. When he finally makes his way down for good, he runs for his favourite animals- popata (hippo), ahwoo (giraffe), mmm-ba (Simba/lion), ree-ki-ki (Rafiki/monkey), dandara (dinosaur), mema (penguin), cheetah, geena (alligator). He spends time fitting them into their puzzles, making their sounds- roarrrrr being his favourite, or building castles for them with lego or blocks. 

We enjoy going to the cafe for breakfast as a family. As soon as he knows we are going in the beep-beep, he gets his shoes and tries to put them on his feet. He is on his way to putting them on independently! When we get to the cafe he requests ava (avocado) and cookie as we get to the door, if not sooner! He also enjoys croissants which he calls bun, gees (cheese), and bee-con!              

Some days we take a ride in the stroller to visit the library for the EarlyOn program or to play and read books. He loves pretending at the kitchen, where he says "Hot, hot" whenever he opens the oven. He also loves pressing any and all buttons! On other days, he might walk to the splash pad with dada or ride in his trike to the park with mama. He likes climbing up the bars and big steps the most. He is a little scared of the slide, but once he goes down, he has a big smile on his face and wants to go again! He isn't the biggest fan of swings anymore- he enjoyed them more when he was an infant. He also loves visits with nandy (aunty), and this mama does too! While they eat snacks, dance, and play, I get to sit back and relax!  

When he is ready for a nap he will let us know by saying "Mumby, Baa" which are his stuffed animals that he sleeps with- monkey and lamb. He also asks for "Bubby." He can sleep up to two hours most days. If he wakes and talks to himself, then calls out to mama or dada, he has had a good nap! 

His afternoons are definitely more active! You can find him at the stairs to the basement saying "bap-bap" to which he is asking to put on his boxing gloves to punch the bag. Or he is throwing the basketball into the net, kicking the soccer ball (with his left foot like his dada), and running around the house playing cheetah. He also loves sliding down- 1,2 3, and climbing up his Joey couch! If he wants to watch something on tv, he will bring us the button (remote) and request mmm-ba (Lion King), bia (Bluey), dandara (Gigantasourous), or to-to-ro (My Neighbour Totoro).  

He loves dancing! When he wants to dance he says it in Spanish "Bailar!" He is particular about his music and will say "no, no" if he doesn't approve of a song selection! But when he likes a song, he will sing along (on key) and do his signature move which involves bending his arm and sticking out his elbow! If he's at papa's house, he points to Google and waits for him to ask for teddy bears picnic. They march around the living room table singing and laughing.

In the evenings, he often requests walk and bath. He loves splashing the water, but isn't a fan of getting it in his eyes. We're working on it! On the way up to his bedroom, we always stop to say bye-bye to nana's picture and blow kiss. He's also sure to kiss dada between the railings of the stairs. Melts my heart every time!

In his bedroom, he will bring us book after book to read. His favourite is a Sesame Street one his nana gifted him when he was an infant. He points to all the characters and says their names- emo, cookie, bi bird, abby... he loves Ernie's duckie too- quack quack. If he's not ready to sleep, which is often the case, he plays peek-a-boo behind his curtain, with his balls, or his farm. He'll eventually climb into my arms and fall asleep. 

When he's tucked into his crib, a little break for mama before a new day- a new day that I will treasure for the rest of my life.