In which Christopher Robin and Pooh come to an enchanted place...

When I went to London way back in 2009, for some reason it was very import for me to find a good, illustrated version of Winnie the Pooh while I was there. The man at Covent Gardens tried to pretend he was giving me a steal at 15 pounds, even though we both knew he was not. I tried my very best to haggle him down, and I did  a little since he originally wanted 25. However, I think he saw in my eyes or heard in my voice how much I wanted that book, and he wasn't going to let me get away too cheap. I suppose we both came away happy that day though. I got my book and he made some cash. I took that book home with me and left it at my parents house. I didn't read it, despite how desperately I had wanted it while in London. It collected dust almost four years before we  assembled Liam's book shelf prior to his birth. I found that copy of Winnie the Pooh, and I suppose I knew all along why I wanted that book so badly. I dusted it off and added it to his large collection of children's books we had amassed at my baby shower.

(The book isn't actually in this picture. It took me awhile to actually find it.)

Boy does that A. A. Milne know how to write a bittersweet ending. I feel like the end of that book was written more for the parents reading it than the children listening. None of the residents of the Hundred Acre Wood know why or even how they know Christopher Robin is going, but they all know. C. R. comes to tell all his friends (toys) goodbye. He saves the most important for last. He and Pooh go for a walk to an enchanted place. All the while C.R. is going on about all the things he has learned so far in school: Factors, Knights, Brazil, suction pumps, Europe, Kings and Queens. Of course, all of this was lost on the "Bear of Very Little Brain."

C.R. then ask with Pooh not to forget him "when I'm not doing Nothing." Pooh promises to never forget about C.R. Even when C.R. is 100 and Pooh is 99. 

"So off they went together. But wherever they go, and whatever happens to them on the way, in that enchanted place on the top of the Forest a little boy and his Bear will always be playing."

(This is my version, minus the box. I didn't get a box, and now I feel a little ripped off.)

You should probably just read the book. My description does it little justice. The original version is SO much better than the Disney recreations. I don't think I ever quite realized how wonderful Winnie the Pooh was when I was growing up, even though I grew up with him since my large birth weight inspired the nickname Pooh soon after I was born. I watched the T.V. shows, had the stuffed animals, and of course the print screen shirts. I highly recommend exposing your children (or at least yourself) to the original books. The animations are more endearing, the characters are more interesting, and the adventures are more exciting (and I think this is because of how much joy they get out of the ordinariness of it all). It is a good reminder of how exciting and scary childhood can be, and how much of our wonder and imagination we have really lost. Here is a really good short article about the book, and the last chapter specifically, that says it a lot better than me I think. Definitely read it! I saw this on Facebook the other day, and although I have never seen the Russian version I think this is probably true. It is true because the Russian versions seem to actually follow the books.

So . . . we have been slowly chipping away at this book until a few nights ago when we finally reached the end. It took us 10 months to do it and that last chapter hit me like a ton of bricks. The enormity of just how much my little dude has changed in just these short 10 months really struck me. He is growing up right before my eyes, and fast. We have already left the beginning phases of his life, and obviously those times do not come back. He has gone from a helpless cuddly newborn to an independence-seeking baby who will seldom hold still quite long enough to get a proper cuddle--no matter how much I want one.

These days he mostly refuses to eat anything unless he can feed himself, with the exception of at restaurants when he will let you give him a few bites off your plate. He tells me wonderful stories that sometimes I feel like I almost understand. Pretty soon I am sure all those sounds will turn into real words. He has been walking around the furniture for months, so I know he will take his first steps very soon. He puts himself to sleep in his own bed (usually in less than 5 minutes) and most times will then sleep through the entire night. I cannot even recall the last time changing a diaper didn't resemble a wrestling match. He is comfortable being out of our sight. He bravely ventures down the hallway (with the doors closed of course) by himself even when the lights are off. He has 6 teeth, and I have resigned myself to the fact that he will never eat those last few packets of Happy Baby food we got for him. With a small twinge of my heart, I perform my almost weekly ritual of adding yet another piece of his clothing he has outgrown to the giant tub that is now filled to the brim. Every kitchen cabinet is baby proofed as are all the electric sockets. His first birthday is just around the corner, so is his first haircut and come May 2014 he will be a big brother.

My little dude is growing up, and I feel like every time I blink something has changed. It is truly amazing how much a baby changes in their first year. Even more amazing is how imperceptible those changes are to me. Only when I look back at the pictures can I really appreciate how immense those seemingly subtle changes have been. 

Some of the best things about the age he is at right now:

• He recognizes me, usually with a giant toothy grin.
• He reaches for me when he wants up or out of his car seat.
• He smiles at almost every stranger who takes the time to smile at him.
• If I am out of Liam's sight when Tony leaves for school, he will crawl towards the door as fast as he can and cry when he realizes Tony is not coming back. He feels instantly better when I go get him.
• He pulls every plug he can get his hands out of its socket, and then kindly tries and fails to put them all back.
• He will try any kind of food we will give him. 

I catch myself sometimes saying, "I can't wait until Liam...". But you know what? I can wait. While I could not slow time down even if I wanted (and I don't), I definitely do not want to speed it up. I want to take it all as it comes. While every stage of parenthood comes with its own unique challenges, I also know they all come with wonderful, priceless experiences. I am enjoying where we are right this very minute. I loved yesterday, and I am sure tomorrow will be great too!