since he’s managed to walk (groping at things, yes including mummy, to make his way around the room) he is unstoppable. he is excited to explore the world beyond the realms of his four-cornered crib and who am i to stop him? so our new routine goes: in the morning before he bathes he has to do his morning walk, meaning he will walk around the room, the kitchen when he gets tired of the room, and the rest of the house when he is done with the kitchen. and yes, i’ll be prepared to have my hands swiped several times as if telling me “ma, no more hands, as if he thinks he is big enough to do it on his own”

when we went to activefun, the gracious assistant there took jared in her hands leading him to the play area, which my baby happily received and as if totally forgetting that i was there allowed her to lead him away, remove his shoes for him. and i was like almost on the verge of panic. i almost cried “no, give me back my baby, there is no way am letting him play there without me regardless of who assists him!” but sooner than i mastered the courage to launch into that litany, sooner than i figured out what just happened — yeah i realize belatedly that i was having a severe case of separation anxiety, which prior to this i only thought existed in toddlers and preschoolers — jared was on the floor playing, exploring and having so much fun, with the assistant in tow (apologies to her, don’t take it personal!)

he’s grown so fast and am now thinking my happy days will soon be over, soon i can no longer keep him to myself, i can no longer keep him from the world. one day soon he will discover the world outside of his mom’s embrace and he will eventually have to go out there. but am not just ready yet…maybe i still have a good five years until i will be ready to let him spread his wings.