Time Flies

The more children I have, the faster time goes by. I remember being a new mom, with this tiny, fussy little girl in my arms thinking... 


"I can't wait until she sleeps better!"
"I can't wait until she sits up!"
"I can't wait until she crawls!"
"I can't wait until she walks!"
"I can't wait until she talks!"


Then in the blink of an eye, I'm pregnant with her brother, and she's one! I wished her infancy away, looking forward to her next development and never appreciating the now.


I was determined not to let it happen with her little brother. I would enjoy every moment. Breathe it in, accept the struggles of no sleep for three months (yes, three months. She's still our lightest sleeper) and enjoy her baby babbles without wishing to hear words.


Yet, enjoying an infant is rather difficult while chasing his big sister around. His first year went faster than hers. I didn't get to enjoy as much quiet time just holding my baby, just appreciating all of his wondrous traits. He was typically on my chest in a wrap while we went about errands, doctor's appointments, etc. I got lots of cuddle time, but not enough quiet time to breathe him in. Before I knew it, he was one.


When their little brother came around, I knew being home alone with three kids all day would be difficult. I knew it would take a lot of time and energy. I didn't know his infancy would pass the fastest. I remember telling LJ at every developmental stage (newborn, 3 months, 6 months, 9 months, 11 months) "I love this age!" because I do! I can now appreciate the highs and lows of infancy, how there are good things to having a newborn (hello, you get to nap when baby naps!), a young infant (searching for that first smile, lots of lovies, watching him discover fascinating things like... his fist), an older infant (becoming mobile... yay!), and a pre-toddler (those first steps...).


Once again in the blink of an eye, and way before I'm ready to, I'm looking at a one year old. He didn't help the process by walking at 10 months old. It's almost as if he knew he had to catch up to his brother and sister. I feel like this last year has gone by way too fast, faster than the first years of his brother and sister. Why, oh why, is it now that I've learned my lesson that I don't get to appreciate babyhood?


Time flies. I know, because my parents tell me. My grandmother tells me. I complain about my baby being one before I'm ready, her baby has a baby that has a baby. I know it's just going to get worse as they get older, as we're flying around to scouts, homeschool activities, family activities, etc. All I can do is appreciate the now. To those three angels who, during the night, have overtaken our bed. I watch them sleep, so peacefully, knowing in about ten minutes our house is coming to life and it's not going to stop until 9PM. And I pray that I can appreciate the ages they are in now, knowing that if I blink too much they will be grown up...


Happy birthday, Josiah.