It was only a few weeks after I had munchkin #1 that a friend passed on an article to me that I will never forget. It was about cherishing each moment with your child and to not wish away the 'rough' stages of life that they go through. Of course at that time, she was screaming every two hours at night and would wake up every time I would lie her down in her crib (after sleeping contently in my arms) ...then she was 14 months old and still not walking OR crawling...I was without a doubt, about to pull my hair out. But now, a quick five years later...here she is...along with her baby sister...
All grown up. #1 started sleeping though the night a few months after I read that article, and granted they both walked a few months later than the rest, but have made up for it elsewhere...and here we are, the parents of a first grader & preschooler. How does that happen? But you know what, we are truly excited for them...excited for what this new school experience brings for both of them and us, for what they are about to learn and for the new friendships they are about to make. Truth be told, I did just stand over their beds a few nights ago and cry because I instantly pictured them as 3-month olds and how I kind of wished they were that old again. Yep, did that. But then I thought about how much we have fully embraced and enjoyed every second of their childhood and how we will do the same with their futures. I don't like that they are not with me all day everyday, and that things come up during the day that I find myself wanting to talk with them about, but that's what's great...it makes you really look forward to the time that you do have with them and that's what I love. They are growing up to be awesome little people who are a blast to hang out with and we couldn't ask for anything more.
On that note, a look back on our super-fun summer...
A big 4th Birthday!
Her first dance recital
...where we spent most of our time...
Camping at Kinzua
First day of school
Those people were right...time does fly. And it flies ten times faster when you have little ones. Granted, when you are sleep-deprived or they are picking on each other every five seconds, those days may seem to never end, but the years will pass by in an instant. Bug now spends more hours of her day with someone else other than with me. It kills me. To no end. Sometimes I wonder if I just kept her home, all to myself, how long it would take for anyone to notice. Kidding. Kind of. She's my sidekick. We laugh together, have inside jokes, and provide each other with pure entertainment...and it is very weird not having her around for the majority of the day. But as much as I don't like it and think it sucks, I know it's part of life, part of growing up and I know it needs to happen. For her, and for me. We're going to grow together and we are going to enjoy this awesome adventure that has already begun.
Embrace the stage that your child is in. Don't wish for them to be younger, older, bigger, faster, or smarter. Don't wish time away, because before you know it, it will be gone and you will find yourself asking for it back because you were too busy wishing it away. You've got it good...now go and enjoy.
