We would all like to say that we go through life being absolutely perfect – no mistakes, no hitches along the way. But the fact of the matter is that we’re pretty much imperfect and we become better people along the way, by learning from our mistakes.

For example, at work I have learned to take accountability for the times I screw up – and I’ve also learned to cover my butt just in case other people aren’t so bold as to admit to imperfection. In my home life I have learned that an air tight container will not save your grains from determined insects – and I’ve also learned that guests will never understand, when they open up my fridge, why all my open cereals are in there.

I like to think I try to learn something new every day, but if I’m perfectly frank, it doesn’t always happen. It can be really tiring to make that conscious decision to take note of something and recognise it as a learning opportunity.

Watching Nicholas this week, I realise that it must be extra tiring being a baby. Nicholas has learned that you can only lazy crawl on the bed. Dragging yourself along with your head does not work well on the hard wood floor. He has also learned that you can’t just flop backwards and lie down from a sitting position in any old place. Or, if you want to be a little more abstract about it, Nicholas has learned that being Mr. Independent can be a real headache.

He has also learned that cat toys are fun! That the doorstop is fun! That electrical cables are fun! And in doing so, he is learning that some things aren’t toys. In other words, just because something is fun/sparkly/pretty/enticing doesn’t mean that you can have them. Some things in life should always be off limits.

Of course, these lessons are often accompanied by tears. Nothing makes me feel more guilty that taking away Karamello’s “Mr. Mousey” from Nicholas and making him cry, or failing to stop him from smooshing his face into the floor while trying to crawl to the previously mentioned Mr. Mousey. Learning new things can hurt.

But I can certainly beam with pride when I see Nicholas accomplish something new – such as properly crawling on his hands and knees, and working out how to properly catch himself when he starts to topple from a seated position. If at first you don’t succeed, try and try again.

A new week is coming, and a new chapter of my life is about to begin. I hope that I can take the lessons which I will undoubtedly be forced to learn as gracefully and with as much stoicism and stubborness as my son…