Beautiful Boy

Out on the ocean, sailing away,
I can hardly wait
To see you to come of age,
But I guess we’ll both
Just have to be patient

…

Beautiful, Beautiful, Beautiful,
Beautiful Boy,
Darling,  Darling, Darling,
Maximo-oooo.

-John Lennon, 1980-

Go Forth, Young Pioneer (just not too fast…)

Maximo took his first glorious, stumbling, Frankenstein (just in time for Halloween) steps this week.  This is definitely one of those milestones that gives you (meaning me) pause.  He’s been standing and walking along edges for a while now, so we kind of expected it to be any day for some time, but then suddenly he’s doing it, and there you are, it is done.  He’s not covering much ground yet before he plops onto his booty, but he is figuring it all out, finding his weight and balance, and discovering this new way of being in and moving through his wondrous world.  How exciting for him, finding his legs.  How rewarding for us, getting to watch and help him.

At just shy of 14 months, it’s funny how I see my own perspective on milestones changing already.  For the first 9 months, I kept a spreadsheet tracking every stage of early development :

• month 5, week 2: puts own foot in mouth!
• month 8, week 2: cutting 3^rd & 4^th teeth – upper gums!

Then things start happening so fast, and you’ve been a parent for almost a year and it’s not all brand shining new and you are just living and experiencing it all together, forgetting to record every tiny detail and then suddenly your tiny little baby boy (psst…not so tiny anymore, btw) is W…A…L…KING and oh lord what next?????

As my dear friend and mama-mentor Tamra is so fond of reminding all of us parents, kids develop right on time, right on schedule, and it’s so important to cherish every minute, without rushing or pressuring them onto the next stage.  Kids set their perfect pace and find their perfect place in the world, and there is no right or wrong time for them to do this and master that.  As parents, it is all flying by so fast that we must slow down and cherish the moments when they still want to nurse, when they still long to snuggle and cuddle and kiss, when they can’t yet run away on two feet or ride their bike without training wheels or surf or swim or whatever.  Because one day they can’t and then the next day — they can and they always will.  They crawl and they never sit still;  they walk and then they run;  once learned, they don’t forget how to ride a bike or tie their shoes, it just becomes something they do like so many other things that make them more independent, self-sufficient, grown-up.

So it is with some bittersweet-ness that I reflect on this wonderful and joyous milestone for little Maxxi.  I am so thrilled for him and I adore watching him toddle around and figure it all out.  And I am cherishing even more those moments when he wants nothing more than to be in his mama’s arms, at my breast, or just by my side.  Because it’s all fleeting and precious, and he is the best gift, each and every day.

QM

I want my M(axxi)TV!

Happy Birthday to Gabbi!!

“Perfect 40” (photo by Ms. Donna Day – gracias!)

In just a few days, my man turns 40.  Pretty awesome, as he is riding high and looking foxier than ever.  Super fit, great life, amazing dad, soooooo handsome, passionate and inspired about fun new things like surfing, and always by the good old classics like love and family.  Those are just a few musings about my incredible husband.  Let me tell you, I hit the jackpot when I met Gabbi.  10 years ago – ten! – he walked into my life when I walked into a job interview, and destiny changed both of our paths forever.  It’s crazy to think that it has been a decade.  It feels like yesterday and at the same time it feels like we’ve known each other forever and always.

Gabbi’s birthday is always one of my favorite holidays of the year, as I love celebrating the awesomeness that is my best friend, my husband, my partner, my man.  He relishes growing older and wiser and tends to add a few onto his upcoming age (having been “almost 40” for about 5 years now).  We have a long-standing tradition of going away for Gab’s birthday and this year we rented a penthouse-level condo on the beach in old town Puerto Vallarta.  We’re looking forward to getting away for a few days with our son, experiencing a different side of a town we only know for errands and work, and celebrating 40 years of super-coolness.  I can’t wait.  Happy Birthday, My Love!!

QM