My Favorite Things

The last 7 months have passed in a whirlwind. I sometimes call Cal “my little buddy” due to the fact we’re inseparable -- we spend nearly 24/7 together. And because of this, sometimes I miss things other people see. For example, I’ve had several people tell me Cal smells good (like a baby) and ask what soap we use. I’m with him so much, I can’t smell him. I try to remember to slow down, take in the moment and cherish each day. I’ve compiled a list of the things about Cal that make me smile and that I hope to remember 5, 10 or 15 years from now. They are:

1. The “swirl” Cal’s hair forms on the back of his head.
2. How expressive he can be with his eyebrows (We think he has very nice eyebrows.)

3. When I feed Cal, sometimes I rub his arm or back to help soothe him. Often, he mimics my action and rubs my side with his chubby little hand that is tucked under my arm.
4. His little buns. His little buns when clenched (you can see them through his diaper).
5. The expression he makes when looking into a mirror. Especially when he’s been crying. To calm him, I sometimes walk in front of a mirror and ask him, “Who’s that baby?” He tries to stay mad, but then gets a little grin and turns his face shyly into my shoulder.
6. When I hold him, how he turns his little body and head to “watch” where we’re going.
7. How he kicks his legs and smiles when he sees me, Alan or Raja.
8. Watching him learn. Literally seeing him make connections between words, people or objects. The other night during his bath, it was the word “splash.” He splashed the water with both hands and repeated the action and giggled every time I said “splash, splash.” Too cute!