Please don't grow up

I went to lunch with a friend today and it was good to get out of the house to converse with her. Both being mothers, the majority of our conversation was about our children and parenthood. We touched on the subject of what age we like or think we will like the most during our children's lives.

I can't say I know exactly what age I will treasure most or feel is the best age group, but I can say that the first 2-3 months were torture for me after lil' Monkey was born. The adjustment to our lifestyle changing, not knowing what I was doing as a mother, learning how to breastfeed, getting him on a schedule, etc. were just trying on DH and I. Plus, I think all of the struggle didn't seem *gasp* worth it since he wasn't really doing anything at that point.

When started showing us his first social smile and recognizing us, my attitude and outlook on life with child changed a little. Each day became a quest to make him smile. Then when he started giggling, the quest changed to find stuff to make him laugh (which BTW, his father is so much better at than I am and I'm SO jealous).

With each new milestone now comes new challenges in babyproofing and lil' Monkey is just growing so quickly that you can now see the little boy about to emerge and less of the baby. As I checked in on him tonight, shortly after he went to sleep, he was lying there in his crib with one of his favorite bedfellows, the hammer. He was sleeping on his side with his arms stretched out in front of him, grasping it with both hands. He's so cute in that position; one we've seen a lot lately. I wish I could somehow put a silencer on our camera and take that shot without waking him.

It's at these moments I wish I could freeze time just for a bit and enjoy this tiny baby boy for a little while longer. I love you lil' Monkey and no matter how big you get, you'll still be my lil' Monkey. (But I promise I'll stop calling you that by high school ... maybe.)