Second Honeymoon

I have been told many times that this right now is the honeymoon period of parenting. I totally believe it. Life is VERY good right now.

I feel so lucky to spend my days with the happy, healthy baby we prayed so hard for. At four months old, I pretty much have all the answers to the problems he throws at me. Don’t think for a minute that I’m bragging—I’m the first to admit that I’m totally winging this whole parenting thing. It’s more that right now his problems are so basic that my bumbling and stumbling is enough. Right now he just needs food and diapers and love and love and love. I can totally provide that.

The miracle is that he loves me back.

I think, more than anything, that this is what firmly cements this time right now as a honeymoon period. I’m still blown away by the fact that—at only four months old—he knows who I am and that he loves me. That he’s my family. That Ryan and I know him better than anyone else. That he grins at me just for walking into the room. I could gush for hours about how awesome my kid is.

Just like with marriage, it’s not that this honeymoon time has been free of frustrations and struggles; it’s more that the strength of this new love gives each day meaning and weight and sort of colors it with a rosy glow—especially in memory. And I know that, no matter what I do, this is going to change. There will be toddler tantrums and teenage drama. The time will come where I won’t be able to fix things, where he’ll have to experience failure and heartache, and all I can do is stand by and listen, if I’m lucky enough to have him talk to me. I’m sure he won’t believe me, but I’m not quite so old to have forgotten what was like to grow up.

I think that makes this time right now, where things are simple, slow, and under control, just a little more special.