Relish every moment....

I'm sure all new mothers are warned that their babies will grow up quickly, when you're in the thick of things, it's hard to imagine, but trust me, it will be over before you know it. It was ten years ago this April that my husband and I began our foray into parenthood. Since April of 2000, I have been pregnant and/or nursing continually, without so much as a five minute break!

Our first child was born in December 2000, I can feel her first kicks as if they just happened, her labor and delivery are still fresh in my mind. This past weekend, as we were sorting through the kids' clothing, packing away their pants and sweaters to make room for t-shirts, shorts, and summer dresses, we started to purge the house of the baby clothing that's been in constant rotation for close to a decade. It's been a long time coming, it's a bittersweet feeling to part with something that represents such an important, yet fleeting time of our lives.

I would love to have one more baby, however, my husband didn't buy the argument that our mini-van seats seven as a valid reason to keep the Pearson baby factory open, and Dr. Weiss was recruited to shut down production (damn you, Dr. Weiss, damn you to hell!). As our kids get older, my husband looks forward to the future, however, I am left feeling nostalgic about what we're leaving behind.


Now that we have a house full of kids who sleep through the night, I have to say I actually miss those midnight snuggles that came from bed-sharing with our babies; there is something to be said for having a warm little body nestled up against you. As much as I may have lamented their clinginess as babies, I miss it it now. My oldest is constantly pushing for more freedom, it makes me anxious to comply, but it's an inevitable reality. Although Grace can drive me around the bend with her two-year old stubborness, the sheer delight she takes in the simple things in life (like pockets!) are a pleasure to witness.

While motherhood may not always bring out the best in me, I really do enjoy it. I'm not a perfect mother, our house is always messy, my chronic disorganization hardly makes me the ideal candidate to co-pilot a household of six people, but I wouldn't have it any other way. It's really fun to watch the kids come into their own, and my husband is right, we still have lots left to look forward to.

So what's my point here, where am I going with this? Yes, babies can be difficult little people, I've dealt with my share of cranky babies, sleepless babies, and clingy babies, and it was all worth it -- with that little bit of bad, there's a whole lot of good. So enjoy it, relish every moment because before you know it, you will miss it too.