Cheers With Tears

Ashton-

I can say with a mother’s heart that I am both proud and sad. You have really surprised me. I am proud my baby transitioned well into the world of only table food. I am selfish in my sadness. My heart aches to see my baby turn toddler; and at the same time it yearns to watch you grow.

You moved forward with little fight. I under estimated you. I thought weaning would be horrendous. You know what you want and give up little. I thought we would fight you tooth and nail. This was not the case. You were cranky. Who wouldn’t be? You were giving up not only comfort, but many parent-given habits. You were brave to leave behind the security and safety a bottle represented to you in a world that is still strange. All in all, the days passed quickly and the moments of want were not long lasting.

Okay, you have been bribed with cookies and McDonalds.

Day five and the cookies are gone. I even stopped trips to McD’s. Your meals are full of table food and water flows through a sippy cup. You eat and eat as though we have starved you the last fifteen months of life. You are still learning what ‘hunger’ is and that food, not a bottle, will allow the feeling to subside.

You my child are full of surprise. When I think I have you figured out you change the beat. I thank you for giving this tired worn out Mom a break. I won’t lie. I needed the transition to be easy. I was starting to be my own witness as to why parents with multiple children become broken down! I exhausted myself through the thoughts of assumption. And there was absolutely to work my brain up into bottle withdrawal frenzy.

Once again, I have been taught a lesson by my son. The stages of life will come, but how it is handled is a constant unknown. It doesn’t matter how well you know the person. We don’t know (even for ourselves) if we will handle all the challenge and unknowns of life with the skill of grace until we are confronted. Thank you for this reminder. I under estimated the grace you hold even at this young age.

Enjoy the deliciousness of life. Life has countless tastes, smells, textures both good and bad all leading to new and different experiences. Food is symbolic of all of these gifts. It is unique in that you may choose to share or relish in it alone. Food is a language spoken anywhere. It can be a celebration or sobering. It is good for the soul and growth in body, mind and experience.

Whatever your taste find bliss, Bon Appetite.