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 | guest post: all of a sudden |
As baby Eli and I are getting settled in, please enjoy a guest post or two! Today’s is from Heather at The Spice Choir.
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A week ago, Julia made her way over to the coffee table, placed one hand on the side, and pulled herself up to a standing position.
Now she is attempting open-heart surgery.
Okay, not really. But what is it about these milestones that thrusts babies into a completely different continuum? It’s like each new skill is a rocket launch propelling them forwards. Now I can’t get her to lie flat while changing her diaper, she’s grabbing items off the grocery shelves, shrieking in the car, and working on her dissertation.
Sure, I want her to grow and change and develop, but I always expect this nice even ascent, instead of a blast-off.
We should really put babies on intractable problems, like global warming and texting while driving. Surely that forward drive could be used for something other than ejecting naked bums off of changing pads.
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Heather Caliri is a writer that gets technical once in a while. She’s mother to two, housewifely by day, and regularly loses to her husband at Mario Cart. Her writing has appeared in Brain, Child, Harpur Palate, the Literary Review, and her blog, The Spice Choir.
Love this! I hear Al Gore is a quick study. We should get him with Julia if he’s serious about solving this climate crisis we’re in.
wow – can I ever relate! especially the diaper changing scenario. it’s like – “dear child, you’re making this harder and longer than it really needs to be.”
but my daughter doesn’t care. she’s discovered she can go! on her own and so only wants to move. constantly move.
Thanks, Belinda–yes, climate change or perhaps financial reform? With this kind of energy it’s easy as pie.
and Mel, I wish they were rational, no? Except then what of the fairy wings and elaborate pretending?
I can totally relate, Heather. And it’s not just the problematic milestones over here (oh those nasty milestones!). But on our second go-round especially, we are ever so aware of how fast it is all going. So when one reaches four and says in am oh-so-grownup way, “come on Mooooom,” and the other begins to crawl away from you, you want to say (have said) “ok, no more growing!” But, really, that would be bad. That is not what you want…well maybe just for a little while.
Ach, reality bites sometimes…so does love.