…things change.

We have what feels like five million major life decisions sitting in our laps right now, but one change that required no decision on our part but has been an unexpected shift has been life with Gray when we’re at home.

Gone are the days where one of us needs to be glued to his side, to keep him out of danger, keep him entertained or just simply keep him. Suddenly, in the last month, we’ve entered this refreshing new phase where Gray entertains himself, and likes to have some alone time.

Sure, he’ll usually initially come to one of us wanting to read a book, play ‘hoooop’ (basketball) or provide him with a snack, but if we simply tell him that we’re doing X and invite him to go read in his tent, or play with his tractor, he often will. It’s amazing.

I was cleaning the house the other day, and for three straight hours all I did was check in with him as I passed from room to room, while he happily entertained himself playing with whatever seemed the most fun when we were in that part of the house.

In thinking about making dinner tonight, we don’t have to decide who ‘has Gray’ and who’s making dinner. Instead we’ll all just be at home, doing our things. He might help me make dinner, he might read with Jackson. Or he might just head into his room and play. All by himself.

Other parents of toddlers can, I think, grasp what a huge change this is in our lives. Suddenly we don’t have to wait until he’s asleep in bed to actually get something done.

Of course with this new-found independence comes new risks, like eating chalk or going upstairs by himself (both of which he attempted yesterday), but it’s still a nice shift.

I love love love spending time with G, but I also appreciate seeing his little independent spirit emerge as he finds his own ways to entertain himself and likes having some time and space to sit in his tent and read without one of us bothering him.

It’s true what they say about being a parent…everything changes, daily, emotionally and culturally as soon as your Bundle arrives. But sometimes the best changes are least expected.