A new year is made for making new choices, changing your life, and in general, striving to carve out a new path. Resolutions can include anything from deciding to lose weight, learning a language, and being a better person. This year, I have jumped on the resolution train and hope to make some changes.

But It’s Not About Me

This year, my resolution centers on my 20 month old son, Sawyer. He has been the most amazing thing to happen to me since marrying my husband almost ten years ago and I am so in love with this stage of his life! He is walking, talking, signing, giving kisses, and playing so much lately that it just makes everything more fun! In fact, now that he is mobile, he is super curious and wants to do and see and touch ALL the things. With that in mind, I really took some time to think through what I wanted life with him to look like this year. After some soul searching, I realized that I really just want to build upon a decision I made last year.

Last year I decided I wanted to focus on being present with my son, on making our time together more full, more rich. I did this because in my pre-mom life, I loved to go out, see plays, travel, and try new foods. When I had my son, I just knew that I was going to do all of those things with my little man as my partner in crime.

At first, that’s pretty much what happened. I was a stay-at-home mom and Sawyer was such a good baby. He slept well, ate well, and hardly ever fussed. He was the perfect adventure buddy. I was excited, too, because I had several friends who had babies around the same time. I kept thinking playdates, mommy dates, bonding, the whole nine yards. Turns out, the other moms had other plans and lives (who knew?), and Sawyer and I only had three play dates his first year of life. I kept thinking of all the socializing and life lessons he was “missing” because he wasn’t around other kids except when he was in the church nursery. I have to clarify here that this was, in no uncertain terms, a good bit my fault. I waited instead of initiating. I hoped instead of trying to make concrete plans. I was subtle when I should have been more direct about wanting to get together.

Stop Waiting. Start Doing.

So, I changed my mindset. I decided that I was done waiting. I wanted to make memories with my son. I wanted him to grow up knowing that I was always there, always up for an adventure, always willing to spend time with him. I didn’t need to wait on others to have these experiences, I could provide them. My husband and I both could, and Sawyer would be just as fulfilled.

In that effort, we went to the library and played with LEGOS, met a wolf pup, and touched a snake. We went to the YMCA and swam during his first summer. We went to the Huntsville Botanical Gardens and spent lazy afternoons swinging in hammocks. We blew bubbles, played in sprinklers, built forts, saw fireworks, and went to the beach for the first time. There were many firsts and I had such a blast really just enjoying life with my son.

Experiencing Life with My Toddler

This year, I want to continue in that same tradition but with a more focused approach. Sawyer is in his second year of life and he is learning so much at such a fast pace that I don’t want to just focus on being together, though that is important. I don’t want to just focus on having fun, though that is also important. I want to focus on learning. I want to focus on experiences that will shape his life, even at such a young age.

So, how do I intend to do that? Long story short, my intention with Sawyer is to focus on two words: exposure and education. I want to expose him to art, music, food, and people. I want to start educating him about colors, numbers, and language. I want to expose him to and educate him about everything that will help him on his journey to adulthood.

Some may feel that these goals are lofty at his age, but why wait? These are the formative years and I want my son to grow up loving God, life, people, and adventure. I want him to see what this world is made of because it is certainly bigger than our living room. I’m excited to see where 2018 takes us and I plan to continue to use fully resources like Rocket City Mom, my local library, and others to reach 2019 feeling accomplished.

“Happiness is achieved when you stop waiting for your life to begin and start making the most of the moment you are in.”
― Germany Kent

You Might Also Like…

• A Guide to Pregnancy and Childbirth in Huntsville
• Indoor Play in North Alabama
• Parent Reviews: Attractions for Kids in Huntsville

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