When you could eat breakfast without little hands grabbing for it, even though they've just eaten everything else in the refrigerator? Back when I was pregnant with Libbie, I never would have imagined not fueling up for the rest of the day. I was hungry, therefore I ate. Now, sometimes it's too much trouble to take three bites of a granola bar
. When you could fit two or even three people in the backseat of your car, you didn't have to pack diapers to leave the house, and cutting through the living room did not involve wading through a sea of Little People, blankets, puzzle pieces, and baby dolls?
Laundry day was once a week, you wore clean clothes and high heels to the office, and the words pacifier weaning (or blankie weaning) had never crossed your mind.
You were never embarrassed because your child was trying to climb on the table at a Mexican restaurant while wailing at the top of her lungs (not that it's ever happened to us ... yesterday).
And yet
And yet ....
There were no sloppy wet kisses on the lips, or after-bath bear hugs, or tiny toes to tickle.
You didn't spend half the day laughing at a toddler learning to talk and her hilarious combination of words into sentences.
You and your spouse didn't look at each other with amazed smiles, thinking, "THIS is a combination of our DNAs. We sort-of MADE this little, laughing, wriggly thing."
What did we laugh about as we fell asleep? Whose shoes were we constantly searching for? And why, on God's green earth, wasn't my house clean?
Some days, the Old Life seems peachy-keen. But I'll take this side any day. There's a lot more laughing, a lot more love, and a lot more pink.
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awww that's sweet! I think I will miss the days of sleeping in, but I am totally ready for all the new blessings that come with having a baby! Great reminder! I look forward to all those things!
ReplyDeleteGlad you are enjoying this time. SAVOR IT. Before you can blink you are on the other side trying to remember every having a little one in the house. What age was she when began to talk? When did she stop napping? Why did I sometimes think "I can't wait for them to grow up." Oh I would give a lot to have one day back with my little ones. That is why it is so much fun spending time with your little one. Again, just enjoy every moment and write down some of the memories (as you do in your blog) so you will remember what age she was when she gave up her paci. Oh how I love you and the wonderful loving wife/mother you have become.
ReplyDeleteI think this is a grass-is-greener situation... I'm sure someday I'll terribly miss having little kids. However, after almost 7 years of not getting to sleep through the night, after doing 5 years straight breastfeeding (2.5 of that tandem nursing), literally having to beg my husband to let me have a day to sleep in a couple times a year, and the constant struggle of always getting multiple people out the door to go anywhere... I'm looking forward to having more self-sufficient kids. Jessie, don't feel bad for missing the easier days pre-kids - you realize that you are happier now, and you can do that and still miss having an easy life. :)
ReplyDeleteI can't get to Memphis this weekend, but I'd love to meet you there sometime!
ReplyDeleteLoved your post at InCourage! I'm going through a similar thing myself. Thanks for the encouragement!
ReplyDeleteI feel so similarly. I do miss my pre-baby life, but I'm also overjoyed with the life I have now. I'm grateful that I got to have 7 years with just me and my husband, and I'm beyond grateful for the gift of my daughter. Each stage of life has its own challenges and blessings!
ReplyDeleteBut seriously, I would love to have just one day where I could do whatever the heck I want, uninterrupted. :-)
So true. Why WASN'T my house clean back then? And what DID we talk about? :)
ReplyDeleteShe's gorgeous. And why isn't my house clean now since my kids are older? Good question!
ReplyDeleteHi, I'm popping in from Incourage: I'll stop awhile & visit- You have a lovely blog.
ReplyDeleteI too have entered the life of " no Plan" thru my toddlers illness and it is a place that has grown my faith through some heavy kneading. Your post was so encouraging because I have company in the pits! ((hugs))
I love this post today, I certainly love the special moments my toddler gives me- I almost can't remember when she wasn't here......I think I may have had a waistline ???
Have a great day!!
Hugs
C
Hello! I'm Christina, and I arrived here from the (In)Courage blog. This post was sweet; it definitely resonates here. There are a lot of sacrifices, but what would we do without those sticky-sweet hugs and delightful giggles. :D
ReplyDelete