right on track, according to the experts...

Today Miles really challenged me. According to the literature and our Parents As Teachers lady we're right on track. He feels safe enough with me to express his feelings and test limits. I just have to rise to the occasion. Oh, spirits, wise ones, guide me. Help me to nurture him in ways that keep him safe, help him grow and foster a healthy, well-balanced person. Help me to know when to be strict and when to let things slide.

We spent lots of time outside today. He loves wandering in the field. Fearless, he will promptly turn on his heel and walk away from me. Luci keeps an eye on him and I never let him get completely out of sight. He seems especially entranced by seed pods on a couple of low-branched trees. He's also developed a fixation on the rain gauge in the field. He visits it every time we walk and gets mad when it's gone. He also grabs the white garden markers on his journey and often nibbles the dirt off the edges of the marker. Not kidding.

Our Boy is Growing Up...

So G took M to the babysitter today. M toddled in and started playing with the other kids, barely noticed when G left and has been doing great all day, according
to A, the sitter. She said she prepared for a potential fuss, but he's been playing well, eating, drank milk from a sippy cup (he prefers the bottle but apparently seeing the other boys drinking from cups influenced him), took a nap and is socializing and figuring out the toy sharing thing. He's been a joy, she said.

(He's at an in-home daycare. The woman worked for the Montessori school (they referred to her) and will do part-time hours with M unless she gets too many full-time kids. We're on the waiting list for the Montessori school and should be able to get him in around March or April.)

I am so very glad. I'm excited for him to be with other kids, pleased that he's independent and adjusts well. A little wistful.