Perhaps one of the biggest blessings that Baby Beeton has brought with him is a sense of perspective. I've realized that I'm not as busy as I pretended to be, and I certainly can finish up what needs to get done - as long as I use my time wisely. And, this realization means that weekends, for me, have now become weekends... the kinds of days where you head out to Rock Creek Park and take a nature walk or stop by Trohv to visit a pop-up coffee shop. It's pretty blissful.
Winter break followed along the same lines. The end of 2012 was filled with a certain craziness that only the holidays can bring - Christmas Eve service, followed by dinner at Lia's, Christmas Day festivities in Purcellville, an unexpected ice storm, a trip to Pennsylvania for more family time, wedding dress shopping, and an unexpected snow storm.
When we returned, we took it easy. Some trips to Silver Spring to watch the ice skaters and dance to the music as H&M. Two trips to Zoolights since we love it so much. And a fantastic spur-of-the-moment visit to the Baltimore Aquarium where we saw dolphins - aka pishy, pishy - and picked up a penguin puppet - aka guck, guck. We finished that night off with dinner at Phillips.
I know it probably shouldn't have taken this long, but after nineteen months, I feel a lot more comfortable with this new life I've got. And, while Mr. Beeton and I question ourselves everyday about our parenting choices, I think - hopefully - that maybe we're not doing all that badly at raising this little one.
I have to say that one of the absolute highlights of the winter break was Baby Beeton's finally embracing the word "Momma." He learned "Dada" very quickly and would use it in reference to both Mr. Beeton and myself. Sometime over winter break, though, it clicked, and now it's "Momma, Momma, Momma." I particularly like it when he says, "Momma. Sit," and pats the floor space next to him. In fact, he's doing all kinds of word combinations now - "Tickle, tickle, Ruby" and "Bye-bye Geek Geek (read: Curious George)." It's adorable. This is also probably why he decided for a week straight to wake up at 2:30 am, 3:30 am, or 4:30 am to face the day. He has a lot to say, and he won't let sleep stop him. I'm trying to take it all in stride, though.
I like this new normal.
Keep sweeping, Martha
PS - If you're looking to support a good cause, head over to Enjoying the Small Things where Kelle Hampton is raising money for The National Down Syndrome Society. She's already raised around $200,000!
Finished reading NW by Zadie Smith.
