bye bye baby

[shellszee]

So that may seem harsh, but I often wonder where my sweet little quiet baby went? It seemed like overnight, my soft-tempered baby who was also sweet until a few months ago, turned into rampaging toddler. Of course she is still as sweet as powdered sugar and is a darling, but there are many times when she makes me wonder? Like the times when she tells me to hush, yells "no", screams 'mine', throws tantrums, wont let me see her toys, wont give me my cell phone...and then falls asleep only to return to the darling angel I had gotten so used to. My toddler is very sweet, but is an exploring and dominating 2 year old. I bring this up b/c while waiting for my mom to get out of surgery, my dh and I took our toddler to see the babies. I am pregnant and we have baby fever (they are so cute, cuddly and small...etc)and while I was watching a nurse wash a newborn, it was as though I had awoke from a dream. My toddler began to cut up and all I could think was where did time go? It was only yesterday that she needed me all the time...now she pushes me away alot; it was only yesterday that she slept on my chest all day; it was only yesterday that she was an itty bitty baby.

I am looking so forward to having another chance to experience early life, but the stages afterwards, while fun, are shocking. I just feel like my head is spinning... I still vividly remember the raw newborn smell my toddler had when she was born. I am afraid that I'm going to wake up and my kids are gonna be strangers b/c they are gonna be grown...or worse, teenagers.

[paradiselost]

Dec. 14, 2007 at 3:41 PM

Ah, yes...I know EXACTLY how you feel. I was watching my 2 year old (she will be 3 on Dec 22) the other day. She wasn't even doing anything in particular. She caught me a couple of times staring at her - like a lover deep in the depths of puppy love - "sigh." I am just so in love with her. And, she looked back at me with that same deep, loving look. Did I mention how much I love this little girl!!!???

Anyway, I thought she will never be like this again - never.  And they do change, but, it happens as slow as it seems fast and you find yourself loving them, but differently. I look at my nearly 6' tall 14 year old son and my heart swells with love and pride for him. I stare at him as he discusses a special cause at school, his best buddies, science or the the latest video game and I am amazed at how kind, sweet and intelligent he has become.

So, it's the same...but, different. Keep loving them (even when it doesn't seem like they want to be loved. lol) and stay there with them during the ebbs and the flows. You sound like a great mom so I'm sure you will have a strong and loving family to love for a lifetime - and remember, there are always grandkids - yay, I can't wait!!!

By the way, I have an equally loved 11 year old daughter and a sweetie-pie little chubby 19 month old daughter so I understand the whole baby "itch."

[paradiselost]

Dec. 14, 2007 at 3:44 PM

I realize you were talking about babies - and not about toddlers ;-)

I try not to remember the first 6 months. They are so soft and beautiful..and well, so perfect...but, all my babies were pretty fussy the first 3 months (at least) so I don't think I even remember most of it I was so sleep deprived! LOL.

Have a great holiday!

Namaste,
Kathy