Thanks for sharing.Baby Phases
Written by Fiona on March 16, 2008 – -
Living in the ‘here and now’ can be very hard to do. Stopping to take time to enjoy each phase of life for what it brings is so important. Right now, I am in the midst of constantly changing phases. Any mom of little ones understands this. My baby is now 6 months old and on the verge of crawling. Babies definitely bring ‘phases of life’ into the hot topic for a family. There is the newborn phase, teething phase, the crawling/sitting phase, introducing solid foods phase, walking phase, and any other ‘phase’ you wish to name!
It is so easy to want to rush things. With my first, I couldn’t wait for him to reach all those ‘first milestones’…and I didn’t have to wait long for him! He seemed to want it more than me and was very physically advanced. My second was the epitome of a sweet baby girl (and at 5 still is a girlie-girl!). She held her hands out while sleeping in a pose as if she was saying; “Just look at my nails” from her very first day. She hardly saw the light of day until she was 3 months old because she was instantly asleep whether in her stroller, the car seat, or baby carrier. She took her time with everything and I was content to let her. My third, another girl, was a mixture of the first two, who seem to be complete opposites in all parts of their personalities. Now, we are experiencing all those wonderful firsts again with my fourth child, yet another girl!
It is a truly wonderful phase of life with the joy, excitement, and triumphs all experienced together as a family. It certainly is different each time around, though. There are so many other things going on with all of our children that there isn’t the momentous build-up that there was with the first baby. What used to be a big occasion with a camera and the whole scene ready to capture those precious few first tastes of food is now almost an afterthought. ‘Oh, wait, go get the camera!’ seems to be more common for us.
This isn’t to say she isn’t equally loved and cherished! She is so much more so. Not only is there Mommy and Daddy to lavish love and affection on her, but there are big brother and two sisters to dote on her, and boy, do they!
This is where the contentment factor comes in. Are we done? Is this my last? You could ask me the same question twice within one minute and I would give you two very opposite and equally resounding answers! On my sleepless nights or my days where I am perpetually behind on housework, I am ready to move on. Mostly, I am not. Is this the plight of most moms?
I have been feeling a lot of ‘I can’t wait…’ feelings lately. I can’t wait to go on a family bike ride again. (That will be coming soon, though!) I can’t wait until I don’t have to lug a baby car seat everywhere I go. I can’t wait to carry just a purse. I can’t wait to be out of the diaper phase. When I have been pregnant or nursing for the better part of the last 8 years, I often think, I can’t wait to stop nursing so that I can eat for me, do a cleanse, and wear normal bras again!
But wait a minute!!! You mean I have to lose that connection with my precious little ones? She is only 6 months and we won’t be ready for that for a long time yet. Do they have to grow up? My son will be 8 this summer. At 7, his age still sounds close enough to 5 to be little. 8 is just too close to 10 for me! Before I know it that is where we will be. I am definitely not ready for that!
Ok, I am rambling here! As I put away the small baby clothes and get out the bigger ones and reorganize the drawers, I have been thinking way too much! As I look at my sweet baby’s smile, am I sad that it is no longer toothless or do I enjoy this moment of those 2 white tiny teeth shining there? As I watch the green smoothie dribble down her chin, do I miss the fact that she is no longer exclusively nursing, or do I cherish this new phase she is in, knowing it is only a fleeting moment in her life?
I am trying to live in the here and now. I want to fully enjoy this moment with my children without wishing for the past or longing for the future. I am a young mom with young children. I love that. That is all I need…in this moment!
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By Joanne on Mar 17, 2008
Stephani, I totally hear you on this. Maybe we need to attach a big reminder to our bathroom mirrors, so that we see it each morning: ‘Cherish each moment and remember to live in the now. Tomorrow will be here soon enough.’
Thank you for reminding me to appreciate my children as they are right now – I’m off to hug my bambinos and marvel at their adorable, five-year-old little faces.
Love Joanne
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By reesh on Mar 17, 2008
I guess we all kinda feel the same way. But thanks for saying it out loud. My youngest is 7 months already and I definitely have conflicted feelings about her growing up so fast. On one hand it’s so exciting to watch her become more independent, but on the other hand – I just hope I REALLY enjoyed all those moments when she was “just” a baby!
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By Stephani on Mar 18, 2008
Joanne, my mantra has become: ‘Live in the NOW!’ There are many things that get me sidetracked and it helps so much to keep that continually in my head.
Reesh, with each new phase of our little one we have had great trips down memory lane with all the kids. They love to hear about their first moments, looking at their past pictures, and thinking about themselves as a baby. It helps me to keep those precious moments alive and gives them a special feeling, too!
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By Michelle on Mar 18, 2008
Hey little sis, don’t forget that the milestone don’t end, they just get a little different. While we both have little babies the same ages, going through the same stages, I get to experience the firsts for Nick. The first time he noticed that he was taller than me(gulp), the first time he went away to sleep away camp, the first time he noticed a hair under his arm(gross), and more recently, the first date. Granted, it was just a boy girl dance at school, but I treated it with all the respect a first time event deserves. And as soon as he walked away, the tears flowed. You are right, live in the moment, because before you know it, they will be talking about the awesome car they want, and it won’t be hotwheels.
Michelle
Steph’s older sister who misses her very much.
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By Tera on Mar 19, 2008
Awww… I love that.
Thanks for coming by, Michelle, and giving us a window into little Steph’s own childhood.
xo
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