Oliver has hit the 18 month mark and I can't help but think of how wonderful and rewarding it is to be at home with him. There was an adjustment period when we first moved to Champaign having worked full time, having been away from home 13 hours a day. I quickly found that I tend to flounder if I don't have a schedule. But I found a schedule for Oliver and me with enriching activities to keep me on track.
A few things about Oliver at a year and a half:
Still loves to be read to, sung to, and blow bubbles (however the recent acquisition of a bubble machine has been somewhat traumatizing).
Continues to love pineapple, oranges, and peaches.
Will ask us to sing by doing the actions to Itsy-Bitsy Spider or Twinkle Twinkle Little Star
. . . or will move his head side-to-side to ask us to repeat a song.
Loves to laugh.
Observes before he participates.
Enjoys playing with his yellow Little People school bus, puzzles, and rocking horse.
Knows who Mama is but continues to say Dada to me . . . I wonder what he's trying to tell me.
Enjoys his ABC and recognizes quite a few letters.
Will run and keep running without looking back.
Gives Sparky plenty of hugs.
Unfortunately enjoys screaming as loud as he can for fun when at the grocery store.
I wouldn't trade my time at home with Oliver for any career opportunity. I can't quite put into words exactly what it is that makes being with and raising Oliver so enriching. I suspect there is an eternal aspect inherent in raising and caring for a child. Oliver doesn't have to do anything either, but be himself to make it what it is - awesome. Yes, day to day tasks are mundane and I sometimes find myself wondering what to do with my extra time after he's asleep. Then I hear people complain about losing their self when they devote their time to raising children. And maybe my opinion will change with time, but losing yourself in service (especially to your own family) with the help of a spouse and the aid of a heavenly source seems like a life full of purpose and substantial meaning. More so than any other profession could offer.
