Rowan — 11 Months — A man on the move
Author’s Note — This is a telling of you at your best. Our best. Our family’s best. There are moments of discomfort, vulnerability, confusion, anger. Through it all, we love each other.
You wake up, yawn, shake the sleep from your eyes, and smile when I enter your room. Another day as an 11-month-old. What could be wrong? A few things — teeth hurt, can’t poop, miss my mom — the usuals. But this morning, it’s all smiles. I hand you The Very Hungry Caterpillar and you peruse the pages while I unload the dishwasher and heat up your morning bottle. Gentian the cat slinks into your room, catches your eye, and you shriek with delight. Boy I love you.
I set you in the bouncy seat you’re getting too big for, and you down your morning 6 ounces before I can even check the box scores. You drop the bottle and reach for the floor, signaling you’re ready to go. I unbuckle you, set you on your bottom, and boom, like a flash, you roll forward onto your hands and knees and take off. Gone. Into the kitchen. Into the bathroom. Towards the stairs. I chase you down and bring you back to the mat. And we do it all over again. You’re a man on the move this month! And I love you.
I get down on my hands and knees and chase you around the house, wishing for knee pads. I hide behind corners as you scurry around, and pop out, and you laugh. You chase me, and we play some more, until my knees finally can’t take it anymore and I wrap you up in a big hug. You gently press your forehead against mine, a forehead hug we call it, then squirrel your way out of the embrace, ready for more. I love you!
Gentian has learned to avoid you when you’re on the move. Sitka watches skeptically as you dip your hand in her water bowl. These two have adapted admirably to our new household dynamic. You open drawers and pull out what’s inside them. If given the opportunity to climb into the dishwasher you take it every time. All your onesies have dirt-stained knees, even as we diligently work to keep the floors clean for your adventures. Your laughs are contagious, and your curiosity is infinite. You are a sweet little boy. We love you and can’t wait to see where you go next.
Love, Dad
