Of memories and milestones

I can't recall a year when Easter was within a week of St. Patrick's Day, but since I became a parent of two young boys, recollection just doesn't rank high on my list of abilities anymore.

Maybe it's because I am just now getting six hours of uninterrupted sleep again. Maybe it's because nursing an infant seems to draw out memory cells as well. Whatever the reason, I now have a very limited concept of time.

Case in point, my younger son Max will turn a year old next week. It really makes no sense to me even as I write this, because truly, it seems to me he was born maybe a few weeks ago.

The months have simply evaporated. My older son, Sam's, milestones seemed to take so much longer to reach. I recorded everything meticulously in writing and with pictures which is a good thing, given my general lack of mental capacity these days.

Max's first year, however, has pretty much been a blur. Although I've tried very hard to document each new development, I laughed sheepishly when I recently relayed to a friend that I had yet to put a single picture in his photo album.

When I reflect on the past 12 months, I can vaguely recall those few awful days that seemed to drag on forever - is it really only 10 a.m.? - and dark nights with a yowling infant that I was certain would never end. But as I find myself looking toward his first birthday I am baffled. How can this be?

A mother of three once described what she called "the mental gymnastics of parenting" to me. Basically as a parent you become so adept at shifting your energy, attentions and conversations between your different children and running interference between them that other things just fall by the wayside. There simply isn't room enough for much else.

It made me laugh even though inside I reeled a little bit. It felt so hopeless. That is until I realized that there's a gift in this softened awareness. Perhaps the brain narrows its focus to show us what truly matters and that all the other stuff really isn't so important after all. There is magic in the everyday and it is happening right now.

Max has begun to crawl and is so pleased with himself as he motors along, screeching with delight if I chase after him. When he realizes escape is futile he stops, sits and looks up with bright, shining eyes, outstretched arms and a drooly, toothy grin.

Earlier today he broke out all his moves by waving, clapping, raising his hands over his head for "so big" and blowing kisses, all within about 20 seconds.

Now that's the good stuff.

Easter Breakfast at the Elks Lodge

Looking for something fun to do on Easter Sunday? The Elks are hosting a champagne breakfast from 8:30-11 a.m. at the lodge in the Ranchos. The Easter breakfast includes scrambled eggs and omelets, pancakes, sausage, biscuits and gravy, juice, coffee, champagne and mimosas. The Elks are offering this impressive feast for an incredible $5.50 per adult and $3 per child. What a deal.

The Elks Lodge is located at 1276 Pit Road in the Gardnerville Ranchos. Call 782-3416 for more information.

-- Amy Roby can be reached at ranchosroundup@hotmail.com.