Blue Jeans

A few weeks ago, I did a little shopping for Will. With the last days of summer behind us and his one-year birthday on the way, he needed some cool-weather clothing. So, we bought a pair of jeans, a sweater, and a couple of shirts. This morning, I dressed Will in his new dark-wash jeans with a long-sleeved navy blue and gray-striped polo shirt on top. As I sat back, looking at him exploring his new duds, I was suddenly struck by how big he looked. He no longer looked like a baby - the soft cheeks, long lashes, and goofy grin were all still there, but his new outfit emphasized the length of his legs and arms, and gave me a glimpse of his rapidly approaching graduation from babyhood. I got a little choked up as I realized that the days of infant vulnerability and helplessness are behind him, and that independence, individuality, and consuming curiosity are taking over. While I look forward to watching him grow and develop, there's a corner of me that regrets ever having bought those big-boy blue jeans. That is, until I took this picture. Thankfully, it dries up the tears and brings on the chuckles.