Current State

Tonight, Ingrid was a rock-star. She was crawling back and fourth on the couch, giggling the entire time. She had a bath, then a bottle and was fast asleep within minutes. As husband and I settled in with our takeout Chinese, we let out dramatic sighs. He then declared, "Can't she just stay the same for one second." 


Seriously.

From laying on her back to rolling over to scooting to crawling to pulling herself up. From crying to smiling to babbling to da-da. From hitting herself in the face with her hands, to rapidly waving arms, to pointing to clapping to sort-of signing "all done" - the girl is constantly changing.

It's all common baby knowledge, but it's completely surreal to experience it first-hand.

This constant state of transition is difficult to fully communicate as it's not really "constant." It feels as if the second we, the parents, get a grip on her stage, mood or cues, she's onto the next. One night she's sleeping soundly, the next she's crying-out in pain. Oh yeah, she's probably teething.

It all sounds so cliche, but it's so true, these first ten-and-a-half months have flown by and she'll never be swaddled, fit in a little swing, be toted around in an infant car seat, or laugh at the simple phrase "Ah, bless you." ever again.

While in these transitional times, I want to push her over the fence to the next stage. Then, I'm on the fence knowing that the stage of swaddling, crawling or even growling will someday be over.

Another motherhood-cliche - kids help you live in the moment. Babies need you to be in the moment. When she's tired she sleeps, when she's hungry she eats and when she's playful she play. The emotions are honest, raw and real. Tears break your heart - even if they are the cause of a seven inch fall. Smiles will melt your heart even faster - especially if they are because you put a book on your head (hilarious). 


Pre-kids, I didn't like when people talked about their kids being "teachers." My gut always told me they gave their kids too much credit and needed to remove the blinders because - how could kids be that wise?

No matter the transitional state, Ingrid has kindly-demanded that we be in the moment, be present and be mindful of what's going on. As much as I want her to remain the same, or move onto the next developmental stage - she's a solid reminder to be mindful and present in the moment. And then, just as I start to see her as a little Buddha, she shoves a puppet in her mouth and I'm happily reminded that she's still little tiny baby Ingrid.