I’ve been doing a lot of reflection lately. Aiden is, after all, coming up to a major milestone: his first birthday. And it seems like his development has been on super-speed this past week. He woke up Monday morning and suddenly was using his walker… not slowly either. Each day his confidence grows. On top of that he’s started pointing and doing some sound mimicking.

All this development has me waxing nostalgic about the past year. There are many posts mulling around about all these changes. Today, though, it’s just felt like Aiden is less of a baby and more of a toddler. He’s more independent.

I went to a parent infant drop-in this afternoon where Aiden was the eldest baby and the only one mobile. Most of the babies there were under three months. It made me think back to the time when Aiden couldn’t roll over; couldn’t sit up; needed me for everything (though, even now, it seems like a distant time I can barely remember!). Now, he’s taking steps on his own without my help, even if he is using a walker.

Babies are not born with an idea of ‘self’. For the first few months, they consider themselves only as an extension of mom. Now, more than ever, I see Aiden learning about who he is and what he can do. He’s testing his boundaries. He’s becoming his own person.

I’m proud. And sad. And overwhelmed. And excited. I think that sums up what it’s like to be a parent.