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In the movie Lost in Translation there is a scene in which Bill Murray's character explains that, upon having your first child, "your life as you know it is gone...never to return." The movie has been one of my favorites for years. I just wish that I had known he meant my life.

In early 2010, I gave birth to the world's most perfect child. (Is there a parent who doesn't think his/her child is the world's most perfect?) In addition to being beautiful, he is brilliant and sweet and funny and hands-down the best thing that will ever happen to me. This kid is my entire world. I had somehow suspected through most of my life that he would be, which is why I fought very hard to have him. But about the post-childbirth apocalypse, I had absolutely no clue.

To say things have changed would be misleading. EVERYTHING has changed. Most of it has been good--some not so great--but everything is without a doubt different. And now the world changes once again. My little family and I find ourselves journeying from the big city to beautiful, calm Montana. Will the change be for the better? As with anything, the answer is sometimes "yes," sometimes "no," and always sought with massive quantities of hope. Come with me as I navigate the roads from fast-paced, big-city lawyer to Montana Momhood. Is there a line that can be walked? We'll see. But I can guarantee, at a minimum, it will be an adventurous road trip....

Monday, June 13, 2011

The Great Outdoors

As I write this, I am listening to my poor child throw a major tantrum.  He is in his room, which is next to mine, and is pounding on the wall yelling "Mama" because he doesn't want to nap.  This, as many of you know, is a unique form of torture bestowed by children.  The guilt as a parent is overwhelming and is only barely outweighed by the knowledge that he needs his nap.  As do I.  And so, I pretend it is the latest Adult Alternative song, and type away.

Usually he's pretty good about his morning naps.  So what is the issue today?  He's mad because I made him come inside.  As you know, we have been cooped up for weeks with torrential rains and freezing temperatures.  And as you also know, my son has been a bit...reluctant...to experience the outdoors that Montana has to offer.  Well, today both issues have been (at least temporarily) resolved.  We have been running around the backyard pulling weeds, the front yard trimming trees, and the neighborhood on our bike.  It's been a great time.  As a result, the kid is now an outdoorsman.  I literally saw him standing in the grass, head up to the sky with his eyes closed, grinning.  He's loving it.  And I have to admit, even with parks, the city doesn't offer such outdoorsey joy.

What is it about being outside in the sunshine that makes us so elated?  Is it an instinctual, primitive thing?  Such as, does it mean that crops are growing and food will soon be plentiful?  Or is that just me and my little garden?  Is it even more biological--our bodies need sunshine to thrive and is it that we have been craving it after a long (anti) drought?

I'm not sure of the answer, but I am absolutely amazed at how this little boy has taken to being outside.  He doesn't care what he's doing, as long as he is teeterig around.  He still prefers the cement (that's my boy), but he will only come indoors kicking and screaming.  I guess there are bright spots all around us.
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1 comment:

  1. ReneeJune 14, 2011 at 7:25 PM

    I felt the same about naps as a child. . .and for the past 20 years I have repeatedly blown out my birthday candles (or pulled my half of the wishbone, or peered eagerly at a falling star.. .) and wished that some larger force would lay me down every afternoon and force me to nap. Why do we hate it so much as children and long for it so much as adults????

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