ben. is. one.

Baby Ben - Day 2

One year ago today, our little Benjamin Jude made his grand entrance. One year. Already. Where in the world did it go? I feel like I blinked a few blinks, slept a few sleeps, and then--poof--it was gone. Time's not supposed to go that fast, not when little ones are involved. Already I find myself looking back and wishing that I had held him more and cherished him longer, not because I don't think I did enough, but because it was over all too soon. And I'm longing for just a little bit more of the baby-ness from my Baby Ben.

I've been looking back through pictures of little Ben throughout the day, remembering all kinds of little things from all of his little stages. It's been interesting to me in my short experience as a parent to realize just how much of life is all about milestones, and the fact that they never end. You achieve one, then go on to the next one, and so on and so forth for the rest of your life. Everyone does it--it's part of being human. And yet despite how simply ordinary it really is for the entire human race, we still cheer each other on and celebrate each other's little accomplishments...even the babies'. And I pray the day never comes when I fail to recognize even the smallest little achievement in my children's lives, for it's those little things that make up life itself. And that is always, most definitely, worth remembering.

So here's to remembering my little Benjamin as he turns one. Remembering that he's already walking everywhere like a pro, even stopping to pick something up and going on, or standing up in the middle of the floor by himself and taking off; remembering that he still only has six teeth, which doesn't do much for him in the eating category; remembering that he still dances and moves his little body everytime he hears music; remembering that, when prompted, he'll blow kisses, give kisses, sign "touchdown" or "light" or "more" or "bye bye" or "eat"; remembering that he will start doing the hand motions to "The Wise Man's House" when he hears the song; remembering that he loves to make people laugh, and will do something over and over again to make it happen; remembering that he screaches anytime he's frustrated, impatient, annoyed or stuck; remembering that his version of peek-a-boo is to put one hand anywhere on his head (for instance, on his ear), wait for someone to say "Where's Ben?" and then he'll giggle with glee when he takes his hand off; remembering that he's already initiating playing "catch" with whoever's willing; remembering that he still likes to be held and cuddled and loved; and most of all, remembering that the fun is just beginning.

The last year with Ben has been wonderful, and I do wish it hadn't gone quite so fast. But on the other hand, the little guy's becoming such a sweet and fun little toddler, that I can't help but look forward to where he's going to lead us. And, yes, I really think he's going to lead us places. Like to the emergency room, for instance. I'm afraid we already have him pegged as our ornery and mischeivous little rugrat. We may be wrong, and we have the right to change our minds as the years go on, but for now, I'm content to believe that fun, fun times are ahead with this little guy, and we're quite looking forward to it.

Happy 1st birthday, Baby Ben! We love you.