I have reached another Mommy milestone this past week.
First off, both of my babies have lost their first baby teeth.
Second, After redecorating our son's room last week, there are no longer a single remnant of either child's nursery in view. In fact, my son's Red and Gray Bama and FSU Seminole theme room could be the room of an 8 year old or an 18 year old, complete with Queen size bed.
Third, I gave the last of my baby paraphernalia away. The crib, changing table and Jogging Stroller that have been hibernating in my attic, I gave to my niece who is about to give birth to number 4.
Which brings me to
Fourth, I have absolutely not a single solitary residual feeling of Baby Envy. I loved the baby and toddler stages of my two. But only my two. Loved it, lived it and do not wish to return.
I have no desire for and it takes some effort for the OOOing or AHHHing about anything baby related. You could say I've lost that loving feeling toward babies. That is in regard to baby of my own. Someone Else's OK, I can tolerate it but even then, I've just lost interest.
I find myself really enjoying a child who can have an opinion, a conversation and a trip to the bathroom unescorted.
I like that mine can help with the laundry instead of just make laundry.
I like that they can go outside and play without my supervision needed to prevent them from eating dirt or bugs or playing in the street.
If they eat a bug now, well it just means they knew what they were doing and just wanted to and they now tell me when I get to close to the street.
I like that when we get in the car, other than the booster seats I insist they still sit in, I am not lugging along any other kid stuff. No stroller, or diaper bag or sippy cup or kid friendly food. If I don't need it than neither do they.
It actually feels rather freeing to be able to admit all of this.
I know some Mom's mourn this part of their life, when a new baby in the house is no longer an option for any number of reasons. They pine for the days of bottles, nightly awakenings and Mommy and me classes. Mom's who eagerly reach out for any and every baby to hold, breathe in deeply the smell of Johnson's Baby lotion and curdling formula stains almost as if it is an aphrodisiac.
Like a baby holds some Magic Youth Potion.
I think it works the opposite.
The older mine get ,the more sleep I get, the more help I get, the more energetic and youthful I feel.
Like the more birthdays they have, the less birthdays I feel.
My 6 year old daughter smells like my Estee Lauder Beyond Paradise Perfume.
My son smells like Cool Ranch Doritos and a Dr.Pepper.
To me, that's the smell of Youth.
The smell of energy and vitality.
The way my babies are smelling these days.
And I'm loving every whiff of it.
First off, both of my babies have lost their first baby teeth.
Second, After redecorating our son's room last week, there are no longer a single remnant of either child's nursery in view. In fact, my son's Red and Gray Bama and FSU Seminole theme room could be the room of an 8 year old or an 18 year old, complete with Queen size bed.
Third, I gave the last of my baby paraphernalia away. The crib, changing table and Jogging Stroller that have been hibernating in my attic, I gave to my niece who is about to give birth to number 4.
Which brings me to
Fourth, I have absolutely not a single solitary residual feeling of Baby Envy. I loved the baby and toddler stages of my two. But only my two. Loved it, lived it and do not wish to return.
I have no desire for and it takes some effort for the OOOing or AHHHing about anything baby related. You could say I've lost that loving feeling toward babies. That is in regard to baby of my own. Someone Else's OK, I can tolerate it but even then, I've just lost interest.
I find myself really enjoying a child who can have an opinion, a conversation and a trip to the bathroom unescorted.
I like that mine can help with the laundry instead of just make laundry.
I like that they can go outside and play without my supervision needed to prevent them from eating dirt or bugs or playing in the street.
If they eat a bug now, well it just means they knew what they were doing and just wanted to and they now tell me when I get to close to the street.
I like that when we get in the car, other than the booster seats I insist they still sit in, I am not lugging along any other kid stuff. No stroller, or diaper bag or sippy cup or kid friendly food. If I don't need it than neither do they.
It actually feels rather freeing to be able to admit all of this.
I know some Mom's mourn this part of their life, when a new baby in the house is no longer an option for any number of reasons. They pine for the days of bottles, nightly awakenings and Mommy and me classes. Mom's who eagerly reach out for any and every baby to hold, breathe in deeply the smell of Johnson's Baby lotion and curdling formula stains almost as if it is an aphrodisiac.
Like a baby holds some Magic Youth Potion.
I think it works the opposite.
The older mine get ,the more sleep I get, the more help I get, the more energetic and youthful I feel.
Like the more birthdays they have, the less birthdays I feel.
My 6 year old daughter smells like my Estee Lauder Beyond Paradise Perfume.
My son smells like Cool Ranch Doritos and a Dr.Pepper.
To me, that's the smell of Youth.
The smell of energy and vitality.
The way my babies are smelling these days.
And I'm loving every whiff of it.
2 Comments:
Absolutely love this post! :o)
I still have a 2 year old (and 4 year old), but my 8 year old girl is a real help and is becoming such a blessing to talk to!
I of course, am still in the baby stage. I admit to breathing deep and savoring the smell of baby lotion and formula. Every once in a while though, I smell boyhood on him - that sweaty little boy smell that comes from hours of running around outside and being active. It gives me a little thrill to know he'll be there very soon...but for now I need to savor these times that I waited so long for!
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