My First Mother's Day

Yesterday was Mother's Day - my very first one. The night before, when I was putting Connor Boy to bed, I held him a little tighter and a little longer, trying  - as I often do - to savor these sweet moments that seem so fleeting. Honestly, sometimes I feel like he is growing right there in my arms! Our darling little boy made me a mama and has filled my heart with more joy than I ever thought possible.

We had a wonderful day. It started with an adorable finger-painted card from Connor and a beautiful card and Bohems chocolates from Pat. We went to 8:30am mass and then to Sante for breakfast where Pat had made a reservation. After a lovely breakfast we headed home, relaxed and then walked down to Manito Boulevard to meet Bill and Kate for the Annual Home Tour put on by the Museum of Arts and Culture. I had requested steak for dinner, so Pat grilled ribeye, had pasta salad a bread and a bottle of sauvignon blanc to accompany the warm spring day. It was delicious! In the evening, Kate and I went to Listen To Your Mother at the Bing Theater, a show features a series of women sharing their own stories on motherhood and mothering.

The day had so much meaning and importance to it - more so than ever before for obvious reasons, but because from now on, I will never not be celebrating Mother's Day. I will always be a mother. It amazes me how quickly I slid into this role and how it is so much a part of who I am. For so many years, especially during my professional years in Seattle and New York, I never felt like I was truly meant to be doing what I was doing; something always seemed a little off. Yet, those hardworking years helped us prepare for this incredible journey of parenthood. As Connor's mama, I feel like I'm right where I'm supposed to be and couldn't be happier.

Our Big Boy

These past two weeks have seemed like major developmental milestones for Connor Boy. When I showed up at Co-op last week, Connor was rolling all over the place. All of a sudden, he had gone from only being able to roll to his right (still his preferred side) to being able to roll both ways and back to his belly again. The back to belly was not an easy accomplishment for this little guy! Most nights he still pushes up on his hands in his crib and cries until we come in and move him onto his back. While on his play mat, he is inching forward to grab his toys and putting his face down and bum up to move towards anything desirable in reach. Where did our little infant baby go? This 7 month mark has definitely seemed like a big change from previous months. Little Connor is not so little (his 9 month clothes are snug!) and he is on the brink of being mobile (yikes!). However, he is an absolute joy to be around and to watch. Seeing life through his eyes is amazing and an important and welcome reminder to slow down and enjoy all that we take for granted. Today I looked through a number of baby photos from his first few months of life. I'm not going to lie and say I didn't already feel slight nostalgia for those delirious, wonderful, sleep-deprived and snuggly first few months, this current stage - like all the others - is a joy within its own right. Connor continues to amaze us each day, even if he seems to grow overnight!