There’s something sad about leaving the baby stage behind. My boys haven’t been babies for awhile now. But I still think of those early days with a fond heart. I think about all the baby milestones that came and went. The ones that made your heart go pitter-patter each time they did something new.
Finding their hands and feet, the first smile and laugh, sitting up on their own, feeding themselves, walking . . . all of it so exciting as we watch them grow into toddlers.
I can miss it all I want. But those milestones aren’t the only ones to look forward to in your child’s life. There are many more to come that are just as noteworthy.
I have a two-year-old and a four-year-old now. I am in awe as I type that. When you’re pregnant you think about having a baby. You don’t think about having a two-year-old and a four-year-old. You don’t daydream that far in advance. So when you’re finally there you kind of can’t believe it.
Do I miss the baby stage? Sure, at times. But there is so much goodness happening right now.
I get a full nights sleep. Every night. Be jealous, new moms.
I no longer have to carry a huge diaper bag on my shoulder. Just a couple diapers and some wipes in a small backpack. Awesome.
I can drop them off at daycare guilt-free knowing that they’re actually learning some cool things and doing fun crafts. It’s a little harder to drop them off when they’re so little.
Both of my boys can hold my hand and walk across the parking lot. Landon can even hop up into his carseat and buckle himself in. My back says thank you.
They can entertain themselves and come up with things to do together. Siblings for the win!
I’m not pumping or pureeing or cutting things up very much anymore. They are self-sufficient eaters.
I can go to the park and let them run wild on their own.
We are SO CLOSE to being a potty-trained household. My guess is by the end of the year diapers will be a thing of the past.
Landon can dress himself and put on his own shoes.
I still get cuddles. Without being spit up on.
Okay, so it kind of sounds like I’m bragging. But hey, new mom and dads brag about their babies. Why can’t those with older kids do the same?
These are the things that I think about when baby fever comes and goes. Do I really want to go back to the baby stage? Or is this stage of our lives perfect just the way it is?
For right now anyway. I wouldn’t change a thing.
Twitter: gooddishesuser
says:
For the mom on a 19 year old, 2 & 4 still sound like babies……well, toddlers, really.
Such a lot of milestones to come! Enjoy!
Carol-Anne (Use The Good Dishes!) recently posted..‘Decor Bored’, Anyone?
Twitter: gooddishesuser
says:
*of* The mom OF a 19 year old. Yikes.
Carol-Anne (Use The Good Dishes!) recently posted..‘Decor Bored’, Anyone?
My kids are almost exactly the same age, and I like it. Except mine don’t sleep well. Still. Sigh.
angela recently posted..Fate, Dreams, and The Night Circus
Twitter: bebehblog
says:
Even though I DO have baby fever, the toddler-to-preschooler stage has actually been kind of a joy. Yes the tantrums are just as bad (worse) than the inconsolable crying babies, but oh the sleep! So much sleep!! Brag away, mama. Your boys are fantastic.
Suzanne recently posted..writing on Writing
2 year olds are great! I like the older kids too. I decided babies are more fun when they are other people’s kids. And a full nights sleep is amazing.
I think one of the biggest parts of motherhood is learning to appreciate the different stages as they come. I love the stage that Noah is in right now…but I still haven’t quite got my baby fix yet (sleepless nights and all).
Courtney Kirkland recently posted..25 Week Bumpdate
Twitter: KimberlyAMuro
says:
I love the stage that my other boys are in right now. Life is a bit easier and so much fun with them!
Kimberly recently posted..A Returned Smile
I have two girls, ages 5 and 3. My sister just had her second baby and for some reason this has prompted everyone to ask when a third is on the way for us. Um, never at this point. I am loving the fact that we are out of diapers, baby carseats, bottles and all other things baby. Don’t get me wrong, I still get a twinge every now and then but nothing holding my new niece wont cure. I am looking forward to all the new things I will get to do with my girls. School, ballet and all the fun things that come with that. You wrote exactly how I was feeling
I’d say it’s pretty perfect right now! Eat it up, lady. Newborns are no freaking joke and I seriously forgot about a lot of this ‘hard stuff’.
julia recently posted..The jump from one to two
I haven’t had baby fever at all since Gracie was born. which is good since we made our decision already. Thankfully I am definitely at peace with our family of four. plus I just keep calling Gracie a baby anyway.
probably forever.
anna recently posted..forks again….
Twitter: tottums
says:
I love it when you blog <3
And yeah, having 'non-babies' totally rocks. Someone brought their newborn in to work today and I had absolutely no interest in holding it. Okay, maybe a *little* interest, but I totally threw it back at momma the moment it started fussing. lol.
Tottums recently posted..Mommy needs a beer. Or? Teething sucks.
I love this so much.
Megan recently posted..Choose Famous Footwear.
What a great perspective. I need to rip a page out of your book!! I absolutely love my toddler, and the stage he’s in – but I have a REALLY hard time letting go of the baby stage. The fresh, squishy newborn – who can do no wrong… I just love the joy that it brings. (not that toddlerhood doesn’t bring joy! you know what I mean) ha ha. Thankfully Easton is still a baby and I can enjoy smooshing his babies rolls for a while longer. But… I am definitely looking forward to the fun that my two boys will have together and all of the awesome milestones to come!
Mandy@ asortafairytale recently posted..A Time To Sew 3:7 {review & giveaway}