After baby number one I thought, Ok, things are going to settle down. Boy, was I wrong. With baby number one came all thoughts consumed with poopy diapers and late night feedings. And the smiles, oh the smiles and joy that came along with baby number one. Of course, in typical me fashion, I also looked forward to each new thing baby did- I looked forward to when she would begin rolling over, to sitting up to crawling, to finally standing and then walking. I was so excited for the next stage, I would think "Oooh, I can't wait when she can try real food, or "Oooh, let's try out the big girl bed!" And, "Oooh I can't wait until she talk." And then the walking and talking began. And now baby number one is about to be four.
Being the seasoned parent I am, I thought the idea of my children growing up would get easier. You've been through it, you KNOW how fast the baby phase goes, you are prepared for it. But I am not going to lie when I say I have STRUGGLED with baby 2. I struggle because since I KNOW how fast it goes, I am much more reluctant to wish these baby stages away. It's been a lot harder than I expected watching Saidey go from infant to toddler. Each transition she has made- starting solids, walking, moving to the 1 year old room at daycare etc.. has made me realize how important it is to live in the moment and really take it all in. With each new thing she accomplishes it's a reminder that she is growing up and no longer a baby. And it kind of breaks my heart. I am in NO rush to push her into the next big thing or phase because I KNOW how fast this time goes by. So when I hear other moms say "I can't wait for him to start talking or walking etc..." I cringe a little inside because I know I used to be the mom saying that and oh how, sometimes I wish I could go back to the simpler life, when it was just me and baby Sophia, lying on the floor and playing. When she didn't move. Or talk.
Even now, with life in general I tend to want to hurry things along. I am always planning for the next thing, right now it's a four year old's birthday party. After that, it's putting together a few last summer trips. And after that, it's planning for trips being taken in October. Always something. So, as some of you know, I have to write things down to make it official. So here is my goal- to stop. And smell the roses once in awhile. Live in the moment. Take it all in.
