AUTHOR: Marty, a.k.a. canape TITLE: Tiny sighs DATE: 6/25/2008 10:40:00 AM ----- BODY:
Today just so happens to be the day that Bird turns five months old. It was also the first day of our second session of Music Together.

When we started the first session, Bird was seven weeks old.

Looking back, I think I might have been a little insane to be taking him to a music class when he was seven weeks old. He really did respond well to it though, and it gave me something that I was doing as his mother. As if feeding, changing, bathing, rocking, and everything else didn't count. I am the type that needs that extra something going on to feel like I'm not wasting precious time.

At seven weeks old, Christopher was already very alert and curious about what was going on around him. He could handle about 20 minutes of the stimulation of the class, and that was enough. As the weeks went by, he was able to stay for the whole class and enjoy it.

Bird was a two hander for most of the first session. Meaning, I had to have two hands on him at all times. Therefore, we didn't do a lot of the instrument play and drumming that the other families were doing. We did a lot of singing, swaying, and studying each other's faces. I would tap the beat of every song gently on his legs or arms, and he would just hang on for the ride.

Music has been the source of the most smiles in his life. Already, Christopher has favorite songs. "The Hello Song" is a guaranteed grin no matter what. He loves the song, "Wiggle," as well. Since he pretty much hates being in the car, the Music Together CD has been a lifesaver. That, and the fantabulous They Might Be Giants too.

Today, we started back up with the classes. After about 3 weeks off, Bird has changed a lot. He is almost sitting up on his own. He can hold his own shaker now. He can beat on the drum. He loves to be held up and bounce to the music.

He broke into the most beautiful smile when he saw his teacher, and he barely stopped smiling for the rest of the class.

It amazes me how much he has changed in such a short amount of time.

I used to think that I wouldn't miss the infant part so much. That I would be so happy to be able to have conversations and do fun things with my child that I wouldn't miss him being a baby. Happy and relieved.

I'm doubting that now.

As I pulled him out of his car seat this morning, he was sleeping. Passed out from a delay on his nap and a very eventful music class.

He nestled his face into my shoulder to shield his eyes from the sun.

I put my hand on the back of his neck to support him and help keep him secure and sleeping as we walked up to the house.

He let out the tiniest little sigh that said to me, "What a good morning. I'm content."

And my heart let out the tiniest little sigh that said, "This is going to be over in an instant. Don't take a moment of holding this baby for granted."

It will be too. Before I know it, Christopher will be one of the little boys in the class who run to get their own shakers, who help put away the drums, and who dance their own dance throughout the class.

As long as he's not the one throwing the egg shakers across the room, I will be fine with that. Even if I miss the baby a little bit.

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----- COMMENT: AUTHOR:Anonymous slouchy DATE:Wednesday, June 25, 2008 at 11:12:00 AM EDT he is so beautiful ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR:Anonymous Two Lines On a Stick DATE:Wednesday, June 25, 2008 at 12:07:00 PM EDT You totally brought tears to my eyes. I am glad I haven't put on my eye makeup yet. It does go so fast, but I promise every stage is better than the one before. Yes, very soon Bird will be the one grabbing the shakers. You will be so proud of him for being independent and smart and excited about music. You will love watching his little feet dance. And when he DOES throw the shakers across the room you will try not to laugh when you scold him. Everything he does will still be beautiful. Toddlers seem so scary and far off when you just have a baby, but my toddler brings even more joy to my life than my little baby ever did. She can hug me and kiss me and say "Mama" and it still reminds me why I wanted to do this kid thing in the first place. Of course, I totally wish I could freeze her in time but I have to remember that more fun is ahead of us. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR:Anonymous Andria and Co. DATE:Wednesday, June 25, 2008 at 12:27:00 PM EDT Yep... what Tara said. I miss the stage left behind, but the next stage is always so much fun. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR:Anonymous Bubblewench DATE:Wednesday, June 25, 2008 at 12:32:00 PM EDT That was so beautiful! Love that pic of him.. how adorable. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR:Anonymous Susie DATE:Wednesday, June 25, 2008 at 5:11:00 PM EDT Oh, it really all does go so fast, doesn't it?! I feel like lately I have been doing nothing but complaining - and your post is a great reminder of how fleeting it all is! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR:Anonymous whymommy DATE:Wednesday, June 25, 2008 at 7:23:00 PM EDT Nicely said! It's such a mix of emotions,isn't it, anticipating the little boys that they're becoming while missing their baby selves already.

It doesn't go away. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR:Anonymous Beautifully Unique DATE:Thursday, June 26, 2008 at 12:23:00 AM EDT What a sweet post! I can't believe it has been 5 months already. And I agree with Tara, each stage gets better and better. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR:Anonymous No Minimom DATE:Friday, June 27, 2008 at 4:51:00 AM EDT He is just so beautiful! Gorgeous little guy who will make all the ladies swoon someday. :-) ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR:Anonymous Liz DATE:Saturday, June 28, 2008 at 5:29:00 PM EDT *sigh*

this brings back so many memories of taking our boy to MT at 6-weeks. it's crazy to think that this summer will be his last session of music class, as he starts nursery school in september.

however, we're so excited to start our 10-day-old daughter in just a few weeks.

in fact, when we brought our newborn daughter home, sam sang the hello song to her! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR:Anonymous ilinap DATE:Monday, June 30, 2008 at 2:04:00 PM EDT My "baby" just turned 3 last week. I miss those snuggly, babydom days!

I have a son nicknamed Bird too. We've called him that since he was 2 days old, and now everyone calls him Bird. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR:Anonymous Daily Verses DATE:Tuesday, July 1, 2008 at 10:55:00 PM EDT Hello to Bird, so glad to see you. Hello to Bird, so glad to see you! A had MT as part of her preschool curriculum this year. She loved it! Ditto what everyone said about time passing. Each stage my kids' lives I can honestly say has been amazing and beautiful and so exciting to witness. ----- --------