The Next Wilt Chamberlain
I’m sitting in a conference room in beautiful Secaucus, New Jersey, right now, trying to make it seem that I’m really not sick any more and that I’m happy to be here. I probably shouldn’t have come to this meeting for a couple of reasons, mostly that I’m still ill and so is Kristen, but, like everyone in this country, I’m afraid that if I don’t show complete dedication to my job, it will seem like I’m expendable and will be let go in some cost-cutting purge.
I don’t know that I’m alone with those fears, as the economy is shrinking, debts are rising, and the great recession of the aughts is upon us. People do stupid things when they fear the worst, I suppose, and me flying out here is pretty dumb.
Just the opposite of the economy, Henry is growing like a weed. We had to put away his 3-6 month pajamas on Monday because they were just too tight, and Kristen has been dressing him in some of our favorite outfits one last time before they, too, go to mothballs. His growing has not at all been stalled by his recent illness, when he was eating only about 80% of his usual daily intake, and in fact, his wonderful, beautiful head that I can’t help from kissing madly every time I see it (not now when I’m sick, of course) is getting even larger and rounder.
While it’s wonderful that he’s growing fast and furious, it does make for some challenges. Holding him in your arms, it’s no longer easy to get up from off the ground without help. (I used to be able to cradle him in my right arm while I stood up, but no longer.) He’s getting too big for the changing pad so that now there’s always one leg draped over its side. (In fact, it used to be that when we were changing him, I would feel comfortable walking away to grab something I forgot — not too far, or for more than 5 seconds mind you — but now I have to have one hand on him at all times.) And if he’s wearing anything more than a sweater and jacket, it’s becoming very difficult to get him into his car seat, so snapping him in there and getting him secure makes for fun times in the morning. (This means that it’ll soon be time to buy the next size up, which is another $200. Yikes.)
Of course it’s great that he’s growing, but it all just seems to go so fast — too fast. People who haven’t seen him for a couple of weeks all comment how big he’s gotten or how much he’s changed, and I just hate hearing that. This is such a terrific age, when everything is new and exciting, that I just want him to slow down and bit and let us all look at him as he is for a bit longer.
I can ask, right?
January 28th, 2009 at 8:33 am
If you’re in beautiful Secaucus for a bit, have time to spare, and if you’re feeling up to it, you should come to Glen Ridge for a home-cooked meal! We’d love to show you our new house.