It's Been Way Too Long...

It's been a little while since I last posted here. It's not that I forgot about this little blog of mine, or that I've been lazy or busy, or whatever other excuse modern mothers use. I've simply not known what to write about.

I could have told you about Ricky weaning himself two weeks early. I could have told you all about his first birthday. I could have told you about his first steps, the fact that he's not only walking but running, or the way he climbs everything he lays his eyes on. But I just never found myself sitting down with my laptop to say any of these things. So allow me to catch you up on the goings on in Mommy's life.

In my last post I had mentioned how I was hoping to wean Ricky off the boob by his first birthday. Some opinions were that I was forcing him to grow up too quickly, that I should let him decide when his final drink should be, but all due respect to anyone who has ever offered an opinion, allow me to do things my way. Ricky's interest had been waning for a few weeks and we were down to one boob a day when he decided on the 13th of March that he was done. Everything I had read and many conversations I had had all declared that it was virtually impossible for a child under a year to wean themselves, that they were simply disinclined to give it up. I call bullshit. I could not, for love or money, get Ricky interested in my bounteous chest. He wanted to roam and drink tea and listen to his music. So I let go and let him have his way. And he has not so much as whimpered at the memory of mommy's milk - he is done. I had heard how weaning baby was one of the most difficult rites of passage in child-rearing - right up there with potty training - but that was not my experience. I have on my hands one independent little man, ready to live his life his way.

Two days before Ricky's final drink he took his first steps. I'm no child psychologist, but I do believe this is one of the major things that led to him self-weaning before his first birthday. Ricky has always seemed eager to grow up, like all that's slowing him down is his tiny body. And that first proper taste of independence had him craving more. I was sitting on the couch, folding laundry, and Ricky was cruising around the lounge - a normal day really - when a giggling blur suddenly came hurtling at me. He was so fast I almost missed it! He was beaming, so incredibly proud of himself, and I couldn't stop smiling and clapping. I was so proud of this little man of mine. I know many babies take their first steps well before eleven and a half months, especially girls, but life is not a race and my little boy had made me one proud mommy. He quickly became an adept walker, and now runner, taking on any and all terrain. Now if only I could get him to wear shoes...

Two weeks after his first steps, Ricky turned one. The Saturday before, we had a small party at our house with his grandparents, aunts and uncles, and Ricky had a blast eating cake and reveling in all the attention. Three days later, on his actual birthday, Rod and I took our little monkey man to the zoo for a day of sun and animals. He loved it! Instead of posting a million photos here, you can check out this post.

And Ricky has a little friend on the way! My buddy Nats has a little girl named Gia-Leigh due in September, and I can't wait to meet her! We always used to joke that she'd have a little girl for Ricky to marry, so you can imagine the laughs when we found out she was expecting a girl! But arranged marriage or no, it will be lovely to have another little baba around. Not long to go now!

So here's to catching up!

Smiles,
Mommy