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Uninterrupted sleep should never be taken for granted.
So, for every sleep deprived mother of a newborn reading this post, feel free to slap me back to my senses. Early parenthood is a marathon that feels like it will never end.
But when we do miraculously reach the end of the diaper days, and we sit back and reminisce about those sweet and snuggly days, we actually miss those helpless little babies.
This morning, Susan and I were just saying that our kids are growing up way too fast — our babies are no longer babies!
Then we read Beck’s post, Babies, over at 5 Minutes for Parenting and we just couldn’t help but make sure you didn’t miss it…
By Beck
My daughter’s grade four class has had a visitor every other week over the past school year. A baby has come to her class, and the kids charted her development and took pictures of her and sang her songs and this past week, the class baby turned one.
“Babies grow up so fast, don’t they?” said The Girl, wistfully.
And that is, of course, the wistful punchline of parenthood. When my kids were babies, old ladies would say that to me all the time and I would think – in my sullen, sleep-deprived state – “Shut up.” Obviously, infancy would last forever. I would be changing diapers and having week-long days full of wailing babies for the rest of eternity – but it turned out that the old ladies were right and that infancy ends abruptly and suddenly I have a house full of school-aged children. And they are very nice and much more fun to travel with and I have a cheery, diaper-free life – but there’s still that haunting feeling that something was lost while I was distracted, that the things that I should have done will remain undone forever…
So tell us, what do you miss most about parenting your babies?
Baby Hats says
My baby is just about to turn one year old. I am already dreading the day when she starts growing up.
Stephanie says
Something about this post made me get a little teary-eyed.
I am absolutely loving the “baby stage” this time around…even more than with my first (that was wonderful too, don’t get me wrong…it’s just more “relaxing” to be a mother the second time…). I find myself soaking in everything…the sweet snuggles, the gummy smiles, the nursing marathons, even the blow-out diapers. I know she’ll be all grown up before I know it. Oh no – I’m getting teary-eyed again… 😉
Michelle says
I miss when my little one would fall asleep in my arms and i could hold him and watch him smile in his dreams. It was so sweet.
Jenn says
Wow. I just read her post and it was fabulous! I’m actually tearing up right now as I think about how bittersweet everything is, each milestone and each day. J
John is 9 months and Chloe is 2. Certainly not all that grown up but already I miss the sweet snuggling during nighttime feedings (I don’t miss the lack of sleep) and I miss some of Chloe’s dependance on me at times.
Praise the Lord that they are growing as He intended but…oh at times I long to keep them little!
Shelly says
I think the thing I miss the most is that baby smell. Babies smell like nothing else on earth – so wonderful! It makes them so cuddly, too.
Jennifer, Snapshot says
My “baby” just turned five on Wednesday!
I am not a baby person, though. I do love those first smiles, but I love the preschool years the most.
mummyof5monsters says
EVERYTHING! Yep, i miss it ALL, the midnight feeds and everything! (after 5 kids, i run on zilch sleep anyway)the froggy legs, the babyfuzz,the smell of their heads!Aaaah I could go on and on and on!
Janice says
I agree Kara – if it weren’t for the sleep deprivation, the early baby days are my favorite!
But like JT, I try to vow to enjoy every phase. (But I think some stages are just a bit more adorable. LOL)
Livvie is 20mths now and is already more like a little girl than a baby now. I adore this stage too, but I hate how fast it all flies by!
Susan says
I miss them sleeping in my arms.
Sophia is 19 months old and by next month she will be completely weaned. I am already missing her nursing and it hasn’t even ended.
I miss their baby sounds and their little gas smiles.
I miss so much already.
Kara says
I have a 6-month old right now, and I’m already missing things lol. I love when they are so small and easy to hold. And before they become mobile! And baby giggles are absolutely the best. And the tiny cute outfits. If it weren’t for the lack of sleep this would be my favorite age.
Organizing Mommy says
Well, I can tell you what I don’t miss: getting up every two hours! Just kidding. I love it when they fall asleep in your arms and just sleep like they have no cares in the world.
JT/BigBabyBargains says
I am currently in that baby phase. My son is turning one in another month and I feel like it’s flying by. I found one of his 3 month old outfits in the back of a drawer the other day and I couldn’t believe how small it was. I don’t really miss the sleep deprived nights and the breastfeedig every two hours or what feels like every two minutes, but I do miss being able to hold him in my lap without his squirming to get down and explore. I know this age will also pass quickly and then the toddler years will be here before I know it. So, I’ve tried to make a vow with myself to enjoy EVERY facet of every stage and age he is at. Not always an easy task when his independent streak rears its head and he begins throwing his lunch on the floor when he decides he does not want it anymore.