Dear Son sprouted his first tooth a few days ago and that has
thrown me into a very nostalgic mood. Tonight I spent hours going through all
his pictures and videos, marveling (and crying) over the fact that he is
growing up so fast. It feels like just yesterday that I held him in my arms for
the first time, kissing his tiny fingers and toes, and now, I’m already
planning his first birthday party! Time has flown and I didn’t even notice its
passing.
A few months ago when I made the decision to quit my job and
stay home with my baby, knowing that I may fall behind in my career, I never
could have realized how much I was going to gain.
Every day, he makes new discoveries and I have been there
for each one. The first time he smiled, laughed, tried solids, rolled over,
sucked on his big toe (something I was waiting for very patiently!), and his
newest trick, learning how to crawl. It is marvelous how everything we take for
granted, things we don’t even think twice about, are such sources of joy for my
little guy.
His eyes light up as he spots his favorite toy. His ears
perk up as he hears the garage door open knowing that Baba is home. How he will
bend over backwards trying to catch a glimpse of the TV (he’s not supposed to
watch!). How he makes a funny face when he tries new foods and then asks for
more. The way he reaches for me when he’s done playing and wants to be picked
up. If I had continued to work, not only would I have missed a lot of these
little things but I may have been too exhausted to fully enjoy him.
It has been 8 months of sheer exhaustion, sleep deprivation
and JOY. He is the center of my universe, the apple of my eye. I could be
having the crappiest day and then, he will smile (his one toothed smile) and all
becomes well.
My career can wait but my son’s childhood will not.
