Tuesday, November 17, 2009

Birthday Eve


On the eve of lil Max's second birthday, I am sitting at the kitchen counter, drinking Sprite out of a paper Finding Nemo cup. I am surrounded by dirty dishes, marshmallow fluff, the scent of cupcakes baking, and a feeling of nostalgia mixed in with a twinge of melancholy.

Tomorrow, my lil BABY boy will turn two.

And, it's not even fair to call him a baby -- it hasn't been fair, quite honestly, for some time now. But, he'll always be a baby to me....

Everyone always said to cherish every precious moment when they're little -- because they go by so quickly. How true. How sad.

At the same time, it is remarkable to think back on all the things that he has learned, that he has tried, that he has achieved. He is growing up to be a wonderfully smart, independent, loving and social little boy. I'd like to take just a little credit for that, as his mother.

And my, how I've grown through the process! I found strength inside I didn't know I had, patience that took my breath away, feelings and emotions that humbled me. My priorities have slowly fallen into place, and my relationship with my husband has grown even stronger (whereas before I would've insisted we were as strong as we'd ever be). I've grown every inch along the way as he has grown -- and all of it for the better.

So, tonight, lil Max, I will think back wistfully to your early days -- the days when you sat in my arms because you couldn't do much more than that, gazing up at me, trusting me. The days when we'd squeal over you doing seemingly small and impossible new things -- rolling over, clapping your hands, smiling, giggling. Things I may have taken for granted before, but was now watching with a renewed sense of appreciation.



Tonight, my lil Man, I *might* just wish you were that tiny little BABY again.

But tomorrow,
Tomorrow I will revel in the BOY that you have become.
Tomorrow I will celebrate all of that you have learned in two short years on this planet.
Tomorrow I will thank God and my blessings that I have shared these last two years with you.
Tomorrow I will pray that I can spend many more years with you watching you grow into a MAN.

10 comments:

mel said...

Happy Birthday, Lil Max! Stef, your words brought tears to my eyes.

Whitney said...

Oh, that was so nice.
Happy birthday to lil' Max! He is such a blessing. And what a lucky boy to have such wonderful parents.

Anna said...

Happy Birthday Little Max! Your mom should put a disclaimer in the title when she plans to make people cry. But what you said Stef is just so true.

Emily said...

Beautiful, beautiful post! Happy Birthday sweet boy!

Laura said...

You made me cry!!

Amanda said...

Hey darlin! Glad I could see Lil Man and the fam on his big day. You made me cry with this post after a night of laughing with you!

Off to make my list of V names....

Love you!

Megan said...

So beautiful. And so right on - you have such a beautiful perspective. I know that i will be revisiting this next week right before Luke's birthday.

Melanie said...

I can't even believe that it's been two years! You're raising him right and he's going to be an amzing boy, and an even better man. Not to mention a great big brother!

oceansunfish said...

great post stef! very sweet...i'm feeling similar knowing this is e's last month as a baby...goinh into toddler-hood. hugs!
p.s. happy bday lil max!!

Emily S. said...

I love you, Stef.... Reading this again, with more time to really dig deep into it, and I cherish the words even more.... Love you guys. LOVED this entry. LOVE that we DO grow with every inch THEY grow. I'd not thought of that until you said it...