I want to remember.
Written by OMSHt: Hopeful, Inspiring, OMSH, photos 13 Comments
We grow them inside us, know their twists and twirls, feel their hiccups, endure their kicks and push against their deep stretches into our ribs as the womb wraps them tighter and tighter.
Then labor arrives and our body muscles them out of us, one contraction at a time, until they are placed in our arms – tiny bundles of amazement, all beautiful, goopy, and sticky with love.
We take them home and stare, smell, feed and change them for months on end. Sleep escapes us and time morphs into 2 to 3 hour stretches between feedings; somewhere along the way they move to a more regular schedule and life gets just a bit more restful.
Early independence comes in a rush. “I can do it myself!” is their mantra and we knowingly sit back for the ride and watch. When frustration overwhelms them, we try to help again…sometimes we’re graced with an easy time of it, but more often than not, they push us away with even more vehemence, determined to deliver beyond their capabilities.
Ironically, separation anxiety arrives shortly thereafter and there’s no tearing them off our bodies. We get “touched-out” and are ready to walk out the door for a 20-minute grocery store get away when the Mr. comes home.
And then, perhaps daycare, pre-kindergarten, elementary, and on…
They become a person, not a baby with predictable schedules and discernible needs, but children and pre-teens with elevated emotions, articulate questions, social pressures, and absolute brokenness when something or someone acts out in their own immaturity.
They become their own person.
With their own personality, their own mindset, their own mannerisms and modes of functioning.
It isn’t easy, but it is even more treasured – the relationship becomes rich and meaningful, difficult and frustrating, elaborate and joyful, and…ironic as it seems, flawed, but perfect.
Mine is 11 and tomorrow, she’ll be 30; it’ll go that fast.
I want to remember.
February 6th, 2008 at 2:16 pm
Beautiful. I am always amazed (as cliched as it is) at how fast the years go by when you have children. And seriously, I’m loving the teenage years a whole heck of a lot more than I ever did the pre-teen ones.
February 6th, 2008 at 3:35 pm
i just wanted to say that emilie is absolutely beautiful. what a face. 🙂
February 6th, 2008 at 4:27 pm
Boy, don’t I know it. My oldest son will be 12 in April. How in the Sam Hill did that happen? He really is his own person. He is starting to get annoyed when I spring family plans on him without warning him ahead of time, as if he should be having a choice to participate. And I suppose he should soon be given that option. But… I’m not ready!!!
February 6th, 2008 at 4:35 pm
Oh wow. I want to remember too. It feels like just yesterday I was holding my precious newborn who is now 6 years old.
Time flies when you’re having fun!
February 6th, 2008 at 8:09 pm
You have such a wonderful connection with her, I hear it in your posts, and see it in your photos, It is just wonderful:)
February 6th, 2008 at 9:35 pm
She has such an open and precious face. Joyfully alive. I love these posts. They remind me of Keli at this age (this is about the age I took her on the hippie road trip… an amazing time!) and while we did some minor struggling through the tugs and balances of independence, it’s been wonderful. And next month? She turns 20. *sigh* Enjoy every single moment OMSH! Give her an extra birthday squeeze for me!
February 7th, 2008 at 1:11 am
I want to remember too.
This was beautiful, Heather.
February 7th, 2008 at 1:50 pm
I know exactly how you feel. I think one of the wonderful things about homeschooling is the opportunity to be with them while we can.
February 7th, 2008 at 3:02 pm
You made me cry. Beautiful piece of writing. Thank you.
February 9th, 2008 at 11:14 pm
Mine is 18 and she is my best friend.
She is the light of my life!
(When she’s not driving me INSANE!)
February 12th, 2008 at 3:21 am
Lovely, lovely!!!
My oldest being 4… I haven’t a clue as to what I will do. The thought of ‘which’ school for kindergarden seems to be a crucial decision that will impact the rest of his life. Though I am sure its not… it is to me right now.
Thank you for a beautiful post!
February 14th, 2008 at 3:22 am
Aww, that made me tear up. Thanks for the reminder that babies grow up so fast. I try to remind myself of that when my toddler is making me nuts.
February 4th, 2010 at 10:54 am
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