Lesson #21 "Patience is a Virtue"

The other day my friend Stacey told me, "Wait until you hear Liam's little voice...there's nothing like hearing your child's voice for the first time."  These wise words were actually spoken during a conversation about how Stacey's two year old daughter, Vivi, would not STOP talking!  Vivi's voice is so adorable that I can't imagine hearing it too much, but then again I don't have to live with her. :)

Stacey was right though, and so I keep thinking how special that day will be- the day that Ryan and I hear Liam say "I love you" or "I missed you" or simply "Hi."  But I think I have to be careful about rushing.  Occasionally I need to stop myself and realize that I can wait.  Ever since we became pregnant I have been consciously trying to live in the moment.  It's something I preach to my students every day in the classroom.  And so, I am trying.  But it's difficult.

When Liam was born I remember thinking I can't wait until he can go more than two hours before he has to eat or I can't wait until he can sleep through the night... but again, I tried to remember to just enjoy it while it was happening and that he would change soon enough.  And boy, has he...

Liam used to eat every two hours, but now he... eats from the table, from our plates, from the floor, from his own hands and gets it all over himself but loves it.  Baby food is snubbed.  Real food is where it's at.

Liam used to have yellow liquidy poop (sorry, but he did), but now he...has turds the size of Baby Ruths (no picture necessary)

Liam used to smile silently at me as I held him, but now he...laughs out loud as he squirms and squeals and pulls at my hair and earrings.

Liam used to sleep for only a few hours at a time and when he woke up he would be screaming for a bottle, but now he...wakes up and hangs out in his crib for awhile just chillin'.  He also (thank God) sleeps eleven hours at night.  He even fusses and rubs his eyes if it gets to be much past 7:30 pm.  He is a night owl no more.

Liam used to be tiny with spindly legs and he seemed so short and small... but now he is 22 pounds, 8 ounces and seems so long to me!  Look how he spreads out and takes up the whole kitchen doorway.

Liam used to have crazy hair, but now he... well, he still has crazy hair.

Liam used to be immobile.  He would just lay there, or rock in the swing, or plop down and stay.  But now he... is on the go!  He military crawls everywhere and now he pulls up to a standing position any time he gets the chance.

 Finally, Liam used to sit in the sink for bathtime like a zen little Buddha, but now he ... splashes and splashes and splashes some more!

Still, I really can't wait to hear my baby speak for the first time.  I'm trying to wait, but it's hard.  I am trying to remember that patience is a virtue.  My son is teaching me that every day.  Lesson well learned (eventually).