The Good Stuff in Life

Caleb at graduation this spring

Yes, I also have baby pictures...would you like to see one?

This poor child. It was May.
I was afraid he'd freeze, hence the snowsuit.
He broke out in a rash, so I bundled him up and took him to his doctor.
She told me it was prickle heat rash.
Seems snowsuits in 70 degree weather is overkill.

I'm going to take today to brag. Just a little. This is my first born. My practice baby. That baby that gave me a near panic attack when I brought him home from the hospital and was hit full force with the realization that he was my responsibility.

I'd have to potty train him. Teach him to walk. To talk. To be a human being.

I read tons of child rearing books, consulted with pros at work and with every parent I knew. My dad once joked that I wasn't raising the child, I was developing him. My sisters warned me that I worried so much, I was going to make the poor fella a neurotic mess.

But I wanted to do everything right. And by right, of course, I meant perfect.

At the beach for slower paced fun. 

Fortunately, I had my mom and my grandma to set me straight.

My grandma told me to relax and trust myself. Trust that as a mom, I love this child more than anyone else ever will. I know when he is sleepy, hungry, or just being a brat and I should adjust my parenting accordingly. That I know what needs done.

My mother told me to always remember that childhood is a fleeting thing. Appreciate it. Pause the quest for perfection and relax. Play a game. Read a book. Spend time with them.

We clocked a lot of hours at football fields!

They were both right. My husband and I made our own rules. Sometimes our decisions raised eyebrows and made fingers wag, but we did what we wanted. And we tried to appreciate every moment we could.

We were and and never will be perfect parents. But we managed to raise some perfect kids. And this guy, our starter boy, has grown into the kind of man any parent would happily brag about. Not just for his accomplishments, because he does work hard and is deserving of praise, but for who he is too. He is generous and helpful. Loving, kind, and loyal.


This is my very windy way of saying congratulations to my son,  Boy #1. He passed the Uniform Bar Exam. He's now eligible to practice law in multiple states and will now be assuming his own food bill. It's a happy day in the Seckman house.