Parker and I are enjoying a week off from our "Nanny" gig. Yesterday to I took him to the park. We were sitting in the grass playing with Parker's dinosaur and he kept looking at the kid on the swing. Parker laughed every time the little boy, Spencer, went up into the air. It was the first time in my life as a mother that Parker wanted to do something and I wasn't sure if I was ready.
I walked him over to the baby swing - the black rubber one with four holes in it. "There is no telling what kind of sick kids have been on this" I thought trying to rationalize walking back to our safe little spot in the grass. "I don't even know that he wouldn't fall out of this thing. I would not be responsible to put him in there" I tried again. But Parker was busy kicking his legs and arching his back to get away from my arms with a HUGE smile on his face. He was so ready and I knew I was being silly.
So I put him in the swing and held his little hand and put my other hand under the swing. I just kind of *moved* it backwards and forwards as far as I could reach to keep my hands on him and the swing. He worked very hard to pry his hand loose from my grip - he actually pushed my hand away! So I did what I had to do - I let go of his hand and I let go of the swing - and I pushed him.
I swear I did not breathe as he flew backwards away from me.
He laughed and squealed the whole time. He had such a blast!

I can not believe how grown up he is now. I remember back when he was so tiny. He has come so far. He can roll over, sit up a little, stand on his feet, he gets sad when Jon leaves in the morning, he cries when I walk past him without saying "hi" or something, he likes bananas, he does not like peas, he sleeps with a monkey, he likes to play in the water - he is just this perfect little person. He is growing up so fast. I'm not sad about it though. I can not wait to see how he will be the older he gets. I wonder what he will be interested in. Sports? Art? Science? Reading? Music? Horseback riding? It is just amazing to me that at this time last year I was just finding out that I was pregnant and now there is this whole new person in the world. He lights up rooms everywhere we go. He laughs and talks to everyone. We never leave the house without someone stopping to talk to him. I am already proud of who he is I guess. I suppose today I just feel lucky.

Well - we are headed back to the park! Hopefully he doesnt get his eyes set on the monkey bars!