how it feels to be a parent

Is it wrong to wear the same shirt two days in a row? Well, maybe. Maybe the fashion police are currently on my doorstep. Well, someone just delivered the September issue of Elle Canada. So actually it's pretty likely. Either that or it was the postwoman. I can't really say for certain. I wasn't spying out the window at the time. I was putting my son down to sleep.

By the way, my son is now a toddler. YES, he toddles! His first steps were on June 2nd. And he started walking August 2nd. But he hasn't had any tumbles yet. Nope, he didn't rush into walking. He eased himself in and is now a champion walker. I'm a proud mommy. I really have to say, there is nothing like having a son. It's the very best thing. I suppose having a daughter would be just as wonderful. But I don't know personally.

Here, for all you non-parents out there, let me describe a bit:

After you have a child everything is better: coffee tastes better, high heels are more fun, reading is more enjoyable, swimming is more magical, food is more satisfying, life is more vivid. Because that's it really. Before I had my son I was living in a black and white world; only I didn't know it. Now my life is in technicolour.

Paradoxically, it is as though things no longer matter as much once you have children. Money, success, clothes, cookies, whatever; everything pales in comparison. Because in your heart you know that you would give up everything in an instant for your child.

Sometimes when I am walking with my husband and my son I am deeply thrilled with the realization that everything most important to me in the world I can reach out and touch. And then suddenly the very air around me is filled with magic, the sky is bluer, the wind brisker. For it is this paling that ignites all else. Knowing deeply that the people in our lives are most important puts everything else into perspective.

When love comes first everything material is put into its proper place. And shoes, and shows, and the ocean, and reading, and eating, and fun, are all so much more lovely and vivid and brilliant when they come second to what is best and first: that is, love for each other.

I feel very much in love with my little boy today. And before I was a mother I always wanted someone to describe to me what it was like. So I thought I would tell you all. And in my experience, falling in love, both with your spouse and your child, not only lives up to the Hollywood movie hype, but completely and utterly eclipses it.

outfit details:

shirt, gap: $10
skirt, thrifted: $3
shoes, naturalizer: $30
socks, joe fresh style: $1.50
men's cardigan, gap: $22

Heart: Kimberellie