First Year
Hard to believe it, but it’s already been a year. The long and short of it is that time is both fast and slow and our job is not to try to speed it up or slow it down, but to ride it, and try our best to be right in the midst of it. A year of reflections, a year of lessons, a year of unimaginable love.
1st Month
Volume and power are not related to size.
We spend too much of our lives trying to fit within the “normal” range.
You can do more than you think in 15 minutes, but if you don’t, that’s ok.
A smile really does make you feel better, even if it’s fake.
And most importantly, star beings do reside on earth and unconditional love exists in human form.
2nd Month
Not every itch needs to be scratched.
Often growth and change look and seem scary.
Sleep is a miracle drug.
Time can go fast and slow at the same time.
Sometimes you cry not because you are weak, but because you are strong.
You don’t really ever need 2 socks.
3rd Month
Sometimes taking control means letting go.
The most nonsensical conversations can be the most enjoyable.
Sometimes life is really just about finding the flow.
3 am is not the best time to attempt super glue projects.
We should strive to believe that every day is the best day.
4th Month
Watching someone turn into their own little person is the best gift ever.
Travel should be a mandated part of human education.
Sometimes allowing someone the space to be frustrated is the most loving thing we can do.
Everyone’s definition of beautiful is different and we need each one.
Sometimes you just gotta tell the world “this is how I roll.”
5th Month
Often during forward progress it may appear as if things are moving backward.
Humans are like plants – they need water (or milk), sunshine and love.
The difference between worry and wonderment is a choice.
A caress can be both gentle and fierce.
Motherhood epitomizes the art of observing subtleties.
6th Month
Process is sometimes not pretty, but it is purposeful.
Life is meant to be lived, not kept on a shelf.
Often love’s identifying characteristics are slobbery, worn out, crinkled, bent and dirty.
Don’t knock it until you try it. And even then, you may want to give it another chance.
Nothing is sweeter than a rose… except witnessing the first time a rose’s scent is recognized on the face of a babe.
7th Month
Laughter is good, anytime of day.
Food is divine.
Mobility and freedom are inextricably intertwined.
Within each parent lies the stealth of a cat burglar.
Never stop exploring.
Enjoy life so much your face is covered in it and it drips from your fingers.
And a special note in honor of my Grandma Cozy… *Love big. Love small. Send love from wherever you go. Love until others think you are crazy and then just keep on loving. They’ll come around. And if they don’t? Love more.
8th Month
We need to remember that we started out with a lot less hesitation about life.
Love makes beautiful things and it makes all things beautiful.
Let your sense of wonder overtake your fear.
Learning when to hold on and when to let go is a lifelong lesson.
No matter what, family is essential.
9th Month
Never ever stop trying to catch the light. And if you want to attempt to eat it as well, do so.
Peaceful sleep is a state of trust.
Sometimes the best choice is exactly the one you didn’t want to choose.
The endless variety of expression in the unhindered human face is like a million mini masterpieces.
Life is better with strawberry jam.
10th Month
Pretty sure the world would be a better place if we ALL took naps.
No matter our age, it is nice to be wanted.
Now is precious.
The world does not need to know why you are confident.
We are all strange creatures and that is good.
11th Month
We have forgotten how much we knew before we started learning.
Pretty sure mom-speed is imperceivable to the human eye.
Curiosity can look very messy. Very.
Tiny legs are speedier than they appear.
The pure joy of a child’s laughter could heal the world.
1 Year
We survived!