Missing babyhood when your babies grow up
Categories: Babies
The last piece of baby gear just went out the door this past weekend, our crib mattress. We're officially a diaper-free, baby-free household. No one is more sure than me than four is the magic number for our family and that two kids is enough, but there are still babies in my life. Sometimes, when I'm with one of them, it makes me nostalgic.Here's a list of the things I miss about having a baby around the house:
- Baby talk. I remember when my younger would wake up in her crib and sound like she was shouting out a Thai takeout order: "Thom kha kai! Yam nau!"
- Gummy smiles. Look cross-eyed at my nephew and he'll reward you with a Joey-like How YOU doin? smile. Look cross-eyed at my three-year-old and she'll say, "Quit lookin' at me like that."
- Nursing. Yes, really. I do miss it. And I have not one picture of me doing it, make me envious of Angelina Jolie and her beautiful portrait.
- Cribs. I remember the days when my kids were confined to their beds and didn't interrupt my very important TV watching with endless glasses of water and just-one-more kisses.
- Snuggling. I used to love to let my babies fall asleep on my chest, then sit there and rock, letting the weight of them sink into my mama's heart.
Whew. Before I get too weepy, here are some things I DON'T miss about having a baby around:
- The long nights: Babies are supposed to sleep through the night at 8 weeks. HA HA HA. Mine didn't do it until ... well, only one of them is actually doing it right now. But still, I get more sleep as a parent of big kids.
- Baby-proofing: I can open all of my kitchen cupboards without unlocking them. I don't have to climb over baby gates to get where I want to go. And I don't have to worry (too much) when things get ominously quiet.
- The work: Carrying for babies and young toddlers is very all-consuming. My big kids' independence gives me some time to focus on me again.
- The diaper bag. I was never a Girl Scout and so therefore am rarely well-prepared. This got me into trouble a lot as a mom of babies, but now I can wing it pretty well.
- The isolation. Babies aren't great conversationalists, but my kids are.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Annie Tunheim 10-24-2008 @ 1:30PM
I had my third (and final) child in February, and I am already SERIOUSLY mourning the end of my childbearing at only 31. My husband and I agree that having three to focus on is plenty. But that day, the day you give birth is so amazing, that I would give anything to do it again. Because this one is my last, I am enjoying every minute, soaking up the gummy, drooly grins (he's got one tooth) and never wanting him to stop nursing (which reminds me, I should definitely have my picture taken!). I appreciate and love the stages where my other two (who are almost 4 and 5 1/2) are at, but there is just something so scrumptious and precious about having a baby. I love his motorboat, hysterical giggle as I pretend to eat his feet, and how when he sees me walk into the room, he gets so excited he can't control his body. sigh
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Terry 10-24-2008 @ 1:44PM
Like you said the breastfeeding and the cuddling. The other thing is as they get older the things they do don't always come across as cute. I have five kids the youngest one turning 2 in November. S ome of the things he does are still cute but they are few and far between.
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MindBites 10-25-2008 @ 11:13PM
I really do miss having babies. We are at the point where we have two more years left to have our third child and we still have not decided. At this point, I am leaning towards not having a third because I think we are almost out of the woods now with a six year old and a four year old. I do feel really sad about it.
I miss wearing my baby in a sling, co-sleeping with them every once in a while and the adorable look of a passy being sucked like Maggie Simpson. I also miss the day that I could carry my baby on my hip and hold them with one hand while cooking dinner. I tried to carry my four year old on my hip with one hand the other day and it was near impossible. It was a reminder that the baby era has ended- unless we decide to press on for a third.
One thing that you can do to relive your baby years is to check out The Baby Formula Contest- people upload videos about babies and parenting for a chance to win $1500 cash. All the videos are free to watch and are very cute, http://www.mindbites.com/content/the-baby-formula. :)
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Little Read Hen 10-26-2008 @ 2:55PM
Crawling. I hardly even remember a time when my daughter was crawling. It passed quickly.
That and baby size footie pjs. She is on the very last size of pjs with feet now and it is so terribly sad.
I also, come to think of it, miss the days before she discoverd EVERY DISNEY MOVIE IN THE UNIVERSE and we had to sing along to the princesses on a loop in the car. Oh. Those were sweet, NPR filled days.
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Sheryl 10-27-2008 @ 8:47AM
We have 3 kids 6, 8, and 10. I so miss baby talk, other than that I miss ZERO about my kids being babies. I'm not a baby person, they don't appeal to me, and I don't understand them (I know that sounds weird). I'd much rather deal with a 2 yr old's tantrum than a baby crying, because at least you know what the 2 yr old wants! I love kids from about 18 months on. Before that, you can have 'em.
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Speshelle 11-03-2008 @ 10:41PM
My baby is only 11 months and I miss having a small baby. My Daughter is such a Diva these days. Her personality is sooo grand but sooo cute..I just want a little baby again..
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