I could go back in time and re-live Kaitlyn's whole life. I've been looking through pictures and remembering how fun each and every milestone was, how I cried everytime she did something new and how I never wanted her first birthday to come. I know i'll experience it all over with Nathan but there's just something about a first child that makes everything so different. I miss my baby. In 4 months she will be 3 years old. Why does time fly by so fast? The innocence of a baby is such a blessing to the world.

By Janet on Monday, February 6, 2006 - 12:44 pm:

I get that feeling every so often, too...
I usually wish my girls were still preschool age, and bringing home the art and papers with the practice ABCs on them (rather than algebra II and Spanish work). It occurred to me the other day that my youngest dd no longer plays with Barbies, which gave me a jolt. After 14 years of having Barbie parapharnalia all over, it's weird to be able to put them away. I don't think you ever get over the longing to have your kids little again, even when they're grown. But each age has its own wonderful milestones... You still have preschool and all that to look forward to! Enjoy each part of their childhood...yes, it flies.

By Cocoabutter on Monday, February 6, 2006 - 01:22 pm:

Last August, my grandparents celebrated 50 years of marriage, and my aunt gave them a scrapbook as a gift. We all got together and pooled family pics for the scrapbook. My son is my grandma's first great-grandchild, so he had a special page. I went through all his pics and I had the exact same feeling you did- I WANT TO GO BACK! (MY baby is 9 years old, and he's too big for me to pick him up anymore.)

For the first year, it almost seemed as though I was too tired and stressed to enjoy being a mom. I eventually relaxed, though, but I would gladly do it over again, and this time, I would take in EVERY SINGLE MINUTE and treasure it.

By Ilovetom on Monday, February 6, 2006 - 01:43 pm:

I know this too well.

But! You get new things Melissa. Like this morning when my daughter called and asked to speak to me at school. It was an emergency.

She was choosen best dressed at her high school. LOL.

Still proud.

By Juli4 on Monday, February 6, 2006 - 02:04 pm:

I feel that way all the time. My girls are 4, 3, and 1.5. I found a little dress that everyone of them wore and now they put it on their babydolls. I want my babies back !!!! Watching them grow is what makes it so special and fun, but occassionally I want to freeze them right now.

By Dawnk777 on Monday, February 6, 2006 - 02:59 pm:

I wish I could go back to the time, when I still had to read them storybooks! I loved asking them about the pictures, or what they thought was going to happen next in a story, etc. I miss that!

By Tink on Monday, February 6, 2006 - 03:08 pm:

I feel that way too, sometimes, but I'm enjoying the new stages they are entering all the time. My oldest is 8 and I can really have semi-adult conversations with her now. My ds is finally coordinated enough to enjoy sports and I love cheering him on. My youngest is four and learning to read! I can't tell you how exciting it is to hear her sounding out words! Really, Melissa, I think you're getting into the most fun age. I'd keep all of mine at three to five years old, if I could. They are potty trained and sleeping through the night but they still rely on me for enough to make me feel needed.

By Crystal915 on Monday, February 6, 2006 - 04:42 pm:

Ditto!!! I remember holding them in my arms in the hospital, and all of the things that flew by during their infancy. I was so busy and stressed I don't think I really enjoyed the moments as much as I could have, and am sad I can't get those back.

By Pamt on Monday, February 6, 2006 - 09:28 pm:

Thanks for the reminder to cherish each day. I miss when my boys were little, but it is awfully neat (most days--LOL) to watch them grow into responsible young men too. I'm enjoying each stage along the way.