The cat & mouse play. And teach each other new words and gestures and ideal dinner menus.

Mama has received more than her fair share of advice, it seems, especially of late. But there was one bit delivered in pre-wedding chaos that she held onto and often shares: "Don't miss it. Don't get caught up in all the details that you let the moment pass."

Because things will happen. Someone will be late. Red wine will be spilled. Words will be misplaced, replaced, displaced. You might even dance barefoot and cut your foot on a piece of broken champagne glass while playing the role of capable, coping friend. But you can't have the day or the evening or the hour back. So hold onto it. And pay attention.

Some version of that advice is echoed constantly since Milo arrived. "They grow up so fast." And Mama's determined not to miss those precious minutes. Almost five days away, the longest ever, and things have changed. A slightly taller, slightly thinner, in possession of an endless stream of new words, Milo woke up when Mama got home. Don't know which of the leaves on the peace lily died and which are new; don't know if the fish tank has perceptible algae increase. But Milo has new climbing skills. And...

Turtle. Fish. Suitcase. Choo choo. Lotion. Noodle. Light. "Helicopter" is more articulate. "Spoon" no longer sounds like "Moon." "Doggy" and "Puppy" are different creatures entirely. And Lila and Alexandra, the girlfriends who live upstairs, are always given "bisous" before heading out and off on their own adventures.