Friday, January 1, 2010

A new decade...

...or is it?  Remember the arguments about whether 2000 should be included in the old millenium or the new one, the old century or the new one?  Well, whatever.  It's a year ending in 0, and that always seems to bring on more serious jubilation and reflection than others.  (If you really dig those, we should switch to a binary calendar, so we'd get one every other year, but I digress.)

I'll be honest:  This last semester was rough, professionally and to some extent personally.  I felt like I was working long, hard hours without reaping much success in the classroom, at least in two of my classes.  It was frustrating and exhausting, and that seeped out into the rest of my life.  Ben continued to amaze and delight us on an almost daily basis with his abilities, growth, and generally sweet personality; at the same time, he turned Two, and his increasingly intense episodes of Twoness have been a source of both gratification and exasperation.  I'll save most of the Twoness for another post, but suffice it to say that I spend a good deal of my time reminding myself, through gritted teeth, "He's developing executive autonomy, he's developing executive autonomy," which sounds much more impressive than "He's being a stubborn and contrary little stinker!"

As a result, it's a little hard to look forward right now with the sort of anticipation and resolution which the occasion requires; I'm still in recovery mode.  But I have recovered enough to be very mindful of how incredibly fortunate I am, fortunate in family and love, fortunate in the quality and security of my life.  I wish everyone good fortune and peace in the New Year.  And Ben, I love you.

4 comments:

leah said...

Here's to a great 2010!

And oh, the "Two" stage... Nolan is in the thick of it. With our older son, 2-4 was a tough time (with two being very contrary and three being very whiny). Four, however, has been absolutely fantastic. The Fabulous Fours. So at least I know that no matter how bad it gets with Nolan, Four is not too far away, lol!

Melanie said...

We're in full two mode here as well...times two! I will have to repeat your mantra to make myself feel better. Here's to a great 2010!

rouchi6 said...

is a wonderful age. The kids understand and are ready to respond to things. The little chatter , baby talk ....ooooooo, i loved it. Enjoy and a wonderful 2010 to all of you.

crazymamaof3 said...

Yeah! Glad you are back! Oh the twos....ha ha ha sorry..Been there done that 3 times so I can look back and laugh..Glad to hear he's doing so great..love the bootie in the air picture..says sooo much!