I heard the door open and her little steps scurrying to the side of my bed.
Though my eyes were closed I could sense that the sun had cast its warm orange hues on the walls of my room.
I rolled over and my eyes fluttered open to meet the gaze of my three-year-old.
“Mama,” she exclaimed, “Is it time for breakfast yet?”
Between the look on her face and the way she said those words, I was startled to reality.
What happened to my baby? What happened to my toddler?
I remember those nights of trying to squeeze in two hours of sleep between feedings. I remember yearning for the day that I could sleep a full seven hours without being startled awake. Now that those days are here I wish I had enjoyed those long nights of snuggling and holding her.
As I poured the cereal into my daughter’s bowl my mind wandered to a time when I sat across from her and scooped spoonfuls of rice cereal into her eager mouth. It seemed to take forever for her to eat everything. I recall imagining the day that she would be able feed herself. Now that those days are here I wish I had savored those quiet mornings with her.
As I watched my daughter pull her clothes out of the drawer and dress herself, I recalled how I had battled with a set of snaps every time I had to change her. The monotony of buttoning and unbuttoning her pajamas made me yearn for the day that she could clothe herself. Yet now I long for the days of snuggling her warm body in a fuzzy onesie.
As she played with her trains on the living room floor, I recalled the moments when she would lay on her back and swat at the toys suspended above her head. I remember eagerly anticipating the days that we could play together. Now that she can play independently, she doesn’t always want me to join her. How I wish I had enjoyed those explorative activities.
As she ran down the sidewalk to our car my mind went to the time when I had to carry a twenty pound bucket car seat down the same stretch of sidewalk. My arms ached and I longed for the days that she could walk to and from the car by herself. Now I find myself missing those moments of carrying her.
As she pretended to read to me, I reminisced about the days of having to read the same story over and over because she liked it so much. I recall imagining the day that she would have an interest in more than one book. Yet now I find myself missing that excited look on her face when she realized that I would indeed read her favorite book for the eighth time in a row.
As I tuck her into bed, I’m overwhelmed by the memories of lowering her into a crib. I remember how my back would ache and I longingly imagined the day when she could crawl into bed all by herself. Now that the crib is gone, I wish I had lingered more and that I had soaked in the beauty of putting my sweet baby to sleep, every single evening.
“Goodnight,” I said softly as I kissed her on the forehead.
I looked into her beautiful eyes and saw the eyes of my baby looking back at me. I remember the first time I held her in my arms and when our eyes met I dreamed of this moment…
“Goodnight Mommy. I love you,” she whispered.
I went to bed and as my eyes closed I realized that all moments fade into memories but the love between a mother and child will endure forever.
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Aw, absolutely beautiful and can tell you every so often I find myself wondering similar with both my girls as time just keeps in flying by us. So can very much relate. Hugs and thank you for sharing today xoxo ;)
I’m glad you enjoyed this Janine. It goes by so quickly. I know I used to roll my eyes when people said that to me… but it’s true!
This is so precious! I know it won’t be long before I’m going through this with Caleb.
The heart just expands and swells with every minute – parenting is an amazing (and emotional) experience isn’t it?!
So sweet. I bet it goes by so fast. Hope you get to cherish every day with them! <3
It does go by so fast Caroline… faster than I would like.
It does go fast! Nothing like having a second one to make you think about how quickly time flew with the first one. Ha! While my baby girl seems to grow so painstakingly slow, I look at old photos of her older brother just so I can remember what milestones are coming up, because…I have forgotten so many of them.
I’m finding the same thing Marnie. After I had my second it seemed more apparent just how fast the time goes by.
Scarlet will be six this summer, and always around May, I remember being largely pregnant (with both kids, actually) and then having one-year-olds in the summer, and then two-year-olds.. And it will be three and six for my kids this summer. I want so many of these moments to speed up so that we can all be more independent, but I know I’ll miss them so much.
It just goes by so quickly! My youngest is going to be four in July and I’m shaking my head in disbelief! FOUR! How did that happen?!
What a beautiful post! All those little moments are such precious memories. I was behind a woman with a chubby baby on her hip at the library this morning and it brought back a lot of sweet times. I’m happy for my kids growth and development but I’d like to be able to experience those younger years once in awhile!
I get so grieved when I see wee ones… I think where has the time gone, as I desperately try to cling to the little memories that I do have. I love seeing them grow but they’re growing so fast!
Beautiful and so true! My oldest will officially become a teenager in August – how did that happen??? It has definitely gone by too fast.
Aww, they grow up so fast, don’t they Lisa? I bet it feels like you blinked too!
This is so lovely! With every stage there are things that I miss and new things I love. I will miss it when they don’t want to snuggle with me anymore.
I can’t imagine the day they don’t want to snuggle anymore… but it will come quickly, I’m sure.
Oh, this post is SO precious! I know exactly how you feel. I think about these things often, and it makes me cry. We wait so long for our babies, then they grow up so fast…it is like we blink, and they have grown an inch. I wish to slow down time and make it last longer, but it is beyond our control. We just have to make the most of each second we are given with them and thank God for the wonderful opportunity of being their mama. So thankful for you, the weekly link-up, and your wonderful blog. God bless you, sweet friend. :)
How I wish I could stop time and just soak them up. All I can do is enjoy all the moments before they turn to memories.
I’m glad you enjoyed this. Thank you for your lovely and thoughtful response.
Beautifully written! I’m thankful for all the moments I’ve savored with my daughter, and yet it still goes so quickly! *sniffle*
It does go by quickly! I savored moments too but not as much as I think I could have….
Ah, but it’s never too late to start savoring more! Starting… now! :)
Sweet memories that will linger for a long time. I am glad you have these memories to cherish. Thank you for sharing your heart.
God Bless your heart and your beautiful princess.
I’m glad you enjoyed this Ifeoma. All moments become memories but they are treasured.
Time does end up going by quickly, not while you’re in the moment, but looking back. I’m trying to remember to step back and enjoy every stage before it slips by.
What a wonderful point. I’m trying to not look forward or look back… but just soak up the present.
Jennifer I was just asking myself that question today when Madison bought me 3 books to read and said “now I can read it myself”. What happened to my little girl? Guess what, they’re still there but showing their independence and we’ll always be the most important thing in their lives no matter how old they get. :)
Yes, they grow up so quickly. I’m trying to enjoy the present moments more.
Beautifully written. Those are memories that you’ll keep forever. As hard as my girls’ infancy stages were, I still think back with fond memories.
I know I’ll treasure these memories and I’ve learned to be more engaged in the present instead of looking to the future. They grow up far too quickly.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
Now that I can control my sobs to actually type, I am going through all the memories of my daughter that are in my memory bank. I too used to wish away those times, but I do sometimes wish I hadn’t. I’m just trying my best to enjoy each moment as it comes now because it is so fleeting.
Beautifully written Jennifer.
xoxo
I realized I wished a lot away and now I’m trying not to do that… they really DO grow up quickly – I would love to savor their childhood a little bit more.
Beautiful Jennifer. it goes so very fast, My oldest will be 14 this year and I don’t know where time went. It makes me want to treasure the baby years with the youngest baby we still have in the family.
Although, truthfully after almost 14 years of sleeplessness, I really could use a good 7 hours!
I can’t imagine having a 14 year old. Nope… not going to think about that or I’ll start bawling.
I’m delighted you enjoyed this Jen.
Okay, I thought I wouldn’t cry since I already read this once, but nope. Such a beautiful post and one every mom can relate to. Really, really like how you ended it, gave me chills and a lump in my throat <3
Awww, I’m so glad you enjoyed it. We can cry together okay?!
This was a lovely post Jennifer, and should serve as a reminder to us all to enjoy the here and now with our children as they’ll be all grown up before we know it….Saying that if I ever have to read The Giant Turnip again, I could quite possibly break down in tears!
xx
They grow up so quickly Debbie.
I’m trying not to mourn the past as much and trying to enjoy the present more.