I tweeted out the other day that Nate is nine months old. It’s hard to believe that he’s been out in the world almost as long as he was growing inside of me. I can only imagine how I’ll feel when he’s nine years old, and nineteen…I can’t wrap my mind around the fact that he will, someday, be those ages.
In response to my tweet, many users wrote back messages along the lines of, “Oh, nine months! That’s my favourite age!” Clearly, they remember all of the sweet and wonderful things about babies who are nine months old, like the fact that they are more interactive, funny, affectionate and active than ever before. Clearly, they have blocked out the not-so-nice things about babies who are nine months old, like the fierce independence, the mini-temper tantrums and the clinginess. Oh, the clinginess.
Nate is at the delightful phase of babyhood in which he protests with great determination and volume whenever we take something away from him or whenever I simply walk away from him. I know this is a phase. Everything is a phase. But just how long is it going to last? At times it’s endearing…his upset at my leaving his side, which I must inevitably do periodically throughout the day. His attempts at saying my name, “Mmmmmum, mmmmmum,” are sweet in their own way.
But dear, sweet, nine month-old baby Nate, Daddy and Mommy sometimes have to shut the dishwasher. We have to close the refrigerator door, no matter how much you love to play in there. The fact that your little wee hands get colder and colder seems to make no difference to you.
At the end of the day, all of my clothes are covered with smudges of saliva and snot. It’s almost as if he would like to get back inside of me, he is so insistent. It can be exhausting. I love that he loves me, that he wants to be with me, that he needs me nearby to feel secure in what he’s doing. But just how long does this phase usually last?
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till they graduate.
Okay, I laughed at Audrey’s comment.
Mine is 16 months old. There is hell to pay when I take the toothpaste, or the scissors away from her, or close the fridge door because that’s her job, apparently, or shut the dishwasher to keep her away from the dirty dishes and sharp knives.
And I wouldn’t change it for the world
Every phase/age has is maddening aspect and its wondrous, redemptive side.
As long as you can keep sending them money.
I’m pretty sure it lasts until they find a lovely, young wife to take over where we leave off.
He’s adorable!