My talented little Gumby

At daycare they traced Ethan's shape onto a sheet of paper and then cut it out.  On it, they wrote a bunch of different things that he is able to do.
My name is Ethan and I can
1) respond to tickles and soothing touch
2) display responsive smiling
3) hold my head up
4) bat at objects
5) do tummy time
6) display independence
7) watch movement of own hands and other objects
8) kick my feet

I'll be honest - I gained an appreciation of his 2.5 month old abilities that I didn't have before seeing this list.  Sure I've noticed these things on some level but to look at it from the "My name is Ethan and I can.." perspective changed things for me.  I can't say that I can remember the last time someone praised me for doing any of these things but for Ethan, some of these things are downright monumental. 

One item I had to ask for clarity on was "display independence."  To his teachers, this means that he can chill by himself sometimes and doesn't need them to be constantly by his side.  I certainly hadn't thought of this as an ability of his but I have absolutely reaped the benefits of it!  In fact, I've benefited on some level from almost all of this stuff. 

1) respond to tickles and soothing touch
I'm guilty of ticking his feet while he's nursing sometimes and finding humor in how his little toes curl and he pulls his feet in.  Of course I know that tickling can be a bit torturous to the receiver so I don't do it often but it has brought me joy.

2) display responsive smiling
His smiling in response to something I say or do has to be one of the most rewarding aspects of mommyhood thus far.  It fills me with a sense of love and affirms the bond that I'm working to create with him.

3) hold my head up, 5) do tummy time
These two go hand in hand as tummy time helps him to build strength to hold his head up.  This has benefited me because as he feels less "fragile", I feel more confident in my ability to care for him.  Getting him dressed, diapering him, and bathing him become easier as he gains strength and I don't worry so much about injuring him.  This confidence translates into a comfort with my responsibilities that must, on some level, be having a impact on our relationship.  (Note: confidence does not necessarily translate to speed.  I'm too often reminded how slow I am at all of the above tasks.  Good thing I've got years of practice ahead of me.)

7) watch movement of own hands and other objects, 8) kick my feet
These two bring joy and laughter to my life on a daily basis.  It's absolutely amazing to watch Ethan marvel at the movement of the toys that dangle above his head.  There's a peace to his focus that can ground me when I'm feeling a bit frazzled.  His kicking is often times ridiculously entertaining.  Whether it's his kicking to get his rocking chair toys to swing or to push himself up on his Kicking Coaster, his kicks definitely make me smile.

6) display independence
As alluded to above, this is HUGE!  The fact that I can buckle him into his swing and run off to do dishes is liberating! (Ok, in truth I very rarely wash the dishes but having the ability to do whatever it is I need to do while he's content doing his thing is nice)  The week after I learned the Happiest Baby on the Block 5 S's was one of the best weeks of my maternity leave.  I went from feeling tied down the before to feeling like I had some freedom again without needing to sacrifice Ethan's well-being.

In summary, I'm gaining an appreciation for the little things he does which adds to my life in ways known and unknown.  The gumby cutout came at just the right time for me as I get back into the daily grind of being a full-time employee again.  The time I do have to spend with him is just a little more amazing than in was before.