The Concept of Time.

Our children often hear us say things like, 'One more minute', 'I'll be right back', 'Not now, later', 'After nap', 'Tomorrow' etc..


Soon enough we start hearing those words said back to us.  'One more minute Mommy.  Not now!'


Today my 22 month old son blew me away.  He often does, but this morning, when he woke up, he pointed straight at the digital alarm clock over his bed and shouted, 'Number 9!  Number 5!  Number 7!'  The clock actually read, 7:36.  One out of three isn't bad!


Truth be told, I wish it did read 9:57.

As adults, especially a mom, time passes to quickly.  It's easy for me to forget the time when Braden couldn't sit up, walk and talk.  It's easy for me to imagine him on his first day of school, the day he moves out for college or brings home his first love.  I try to stay present, in-the-moment.  Perhaps that's why, when I look back to the early days, it feels like they were forever ago.

But as children I remember Christmas feeling like it would never come, summers lasted forever and my birthday couldn't come any faster.

Now, Christmas starts in November, summers are a blink and my birthday... well, those seem to happen twice a year.

How do children understand the concept of time?  Did Braden shout those numbers because that's all they were to him, or was he trying to say more?  When he says to me, 'Mommy, I'll be right back', does he say it because he knows what coming right back means?  Did he learn the concept because when I tell him 'I'll be right back', I am and he knows it's not that long to wait?  Or is he simply role modeling something he hears with actions that go along with it.

Of course Braden, like all other things, will learn to tell time, and what today, tomorrow and yesterday mean.

But how do we learn these concepts?  Through experiences or lessons?


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Hugs and Kisses to Korea

Now that I am a full-time (on the most part) stay-at-home mom, there are many parts of my day that I enjoy with my son; playdates with our friends, dance class, walking, reading, cooking, playing in the backyard and more.  But the most favorite part of my day is when my son wakes me up in the morning.

We're in a transition period right now.  Having had to move out of our house, stay with friends in their guesthouse, living out of suitcases with Daddy living half way around the world in Korea.  It's a gypsy life.  A life I try to keep as grounded as I can for the sake of my son.  But in all the mix of what seems like chaos to most, are those precious moments I cherish.


For me, the favorite I mentioned earlier, is the second Braden wakes up, rolls over, looks down at me from the top bed and says, "Mommy, wake up.  Braden come down."  He then rolls down, shimmies up to my pillow, tosses and turns until he is finally comfortable and then says, "Covers on."  We both cover up and then we talk about Daddy.  It's usually the same conversation.  I say, "Braden, where is Daddy?"  Braden replied, "Kor-re-ra" and I ask if he wants to send him hugs and kisses.  He always says yes and we give each other big hugs and blow big kisses to Daddy.  Braden then says, "Did he catch it?"  And I say, "YES!  Daddy caught it and when he wakes up he'll be wrapped around your hug and be smothered with your kisses.  How much does Daddy love you?"  And Braden replies, with a huge grin, "So much!"  Sometimes Braden will say, "Talk to Daddy?"  and before I can respond he says, "Ummmm.  Maybe?  Tomorrow?"


I know being away must be hardest on Brooke, but I do hope he feels the warmth of our hugs and is smothered by our kisses because he is well loved from afar...


We love you, Daddy!  We miss you and think about your every day!


xoxo




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Giggles in Your Sleep

I don’t think there is anything more special than hearing your child giggle, any child giggle, for that matter.  There is something so pure and sweet about it. 


This afternoon while I carried Braden from the car to his bed, all the while sleeping, as I lay him down, he started to giggle.  He never woke up, just giggled.  As I slowly took off his shorts, shirt and shoes, he giggled.  As I changed his diaper, never waking up, he giggled. 


What was he giggling about?  Did I tickle him as I touched him or was he dreaming about something funny?  I’ll never know.  But his giggles made me stop!  And smile!  And giggle a little myself.




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