Tuesday, June 16, 2009

Of Babies and Big Kids

When your babies are babies, there are milestones nearly every other week. Something new and exciting is happening all the time.



But once those babies aren't quite babies anymore, the milestones become less frequent. Recently though, we've experienced a few of those rare milestones.

Cole graduated preschool and is now registered for kindergarten in two short months.


Cole took soccer lessons (his first real lessons) and did great!


The kids started swimming lessons on Saturday. I was amazed at their willingness to trust this new person in their lives. They took to the water like frogs and loved every minute of it.


And last night? Another milestone.

I will admit, up until yesterday, Little Miss had slept in a crib.

Yes, she is 3 1/2. Yes, she will be 4 in September. Yes, she is ginormous.

I did the same thing with Cole. I just didn't see the need to fight them to stay in bed and for some wonderful reason, neither one of my children ever thought to climb out of bed.

But last night that all changed. I decided it was finally time. The kids and I spent the day rearranging her bedroom, dismantling the crib, and setting up her big girl bed. I was a little nervous about it. When I tucked her in and read her stories, she got a little whiny, asking for her crib. I kissed her and told her I would check on her. Five minutes later she was sound asleep. She slept all night in her big girl bed.


I blinked and *poof* my babies were big kids.


But I'm not complaining.

As much as I loved my baby babies, I wouldn't go back. We are (knock on wood) done having babies. Very done. I understand how some mommies keep wanting more and more kids for that baby time.

But not me.

I have loved each stage my kids have gone through, but am happy with where we are now. We don't have naps to mess up the middle of our days. We don't have pacis to remember to bring. We don't have to worry about diapers or bottles. No more colic. No more rocking kids to bed, wondering if they will ever fall asleep.

Now we can go out to eat without incident. The kids are independent and can entertain themselves. They can play with each other. (We'll talk about the fighting in another post. I am trying to keep this one nice.) They can get their own drinks and snacks. They can work the computer without help. They can play on the patio while I watch from the kitchen. They can soothe themselves to sleep.

And best of all?





Manual labor.

Parenthood is awesome.


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31 comments:

Finding Normal said...

YAY for the big girl bed!!!
I insisted upon "quiet time" in the afternoon yesterday. It didn't work. I don't understand why he'll nap at the sitter's and won't at home. That just seems unfair. I asked him why and he said it's because he's not in the hallway. Sigh.
I do love the manual labor though.

Coffee with Cathy said...

Congratulations on such important milestones! Good for you. And you know it doesn't get any easier when those milestones are college graduation, buying first house, etc.!!!

Becky said...

Awww. You make growing up seem so sweet. I will have to remember this post the next time I am melancoly, because I lean toward wanting another baby! lol! And the insanity has to end! I'm glad to know that your daughter stayed in her crib until YOU were comfortable moving her (not society). Summer is still in a crib, and just the other day, my mom made the comment that all the other kids were in big beds by now, and it got me wondering. I guess I baby her, but why knock something that works so well? She is happy, and so am I, so that is where she will stay for awhile longer:)

THE Stephanie said...

Love it! As much as I think I want another one, seeing as how mine are 9 and almost 6, I just can't see bringing the baby stage back into our grown up life.

Congrats on the big girl bed. They are adorable!

Becky @ Our Sweet Peas said...

I love it...manual labor! We are also done, Lord willing and it is always nice to be reminded that with twins or just one child that once you are finished with a stage it is O-V-E-R! Love that!

Martha@A Sense of Humor is Essential said...

Great post and I love my teen and preteen too! All stages are enjoyable and the delegation of Chores is AWESOME!!!
Congrats to Miss Claire, cute bed and I am so proud of her moving to a Big Girl Bed!!

"The Queen in Residence" said...

I think moms have a harder time with things then the kids do. Just wait till you are registering them for middle school. I do not know how that happened, but my baby is off to middle school. I am totally wiggin and she is fine with it.... EVery stage is amazing and wonderful and hard to imagine that you are there already. Just wait till He is heading out the door all day to school. That is when it really hits you.

Emily said...

So sweet! Congrats to your big girl and boy!! And it must be nice to have helpers and not have to worry about naps...that's one thing I won't miss about the baby days! lol

Keys to the Magic Travel said...

They have reached some huge milestones! Just wait...you'll blink and they'll be old enough to stay at home alone!

But the manual labor. Love it. Katie is in charget of the dishes and the cat litter. Madalyn is in charge of the trash. We have a cleaning lady. My mom does the laundry. Michael does the grocery shopping. And I blog. Works out great!

Judi said...

Before you know it they are 24 and 22 years old. Time goes very very fast.

sassy stephanie said...

Sigh. As much as I hate seeing my kiddos get older, I'm with you. And as much as I love babies and LOVED my babies, I am so glad to be over the baby stage. My youngest will be 4 next month. Times are good.

Bren said...

Congrats on the big girl bed! With how active Maggie is - I can see keeping her in a crib until kindergarten! LOL! We are already threatening her with the manual labor thing "when you get older you will do this and this and this!".

Heather said...

Big girl beds are a VERY big step!! I'm glad she did so well.

Anonymous said...

Very cute! :) Looks like they make good little helpers! We'll *hopefully* be starting our family soon...we'll see how it goes!

Anonymous said...

They grow up too fast ! Just wait til they turn 30 ! makes you wonder how you stayed so young while they got older LOL.

lsnellings said...

Congratulations! I fully intend to keep mine in cribs for as long as possible!!

And bravo for getting your son to vaccuum! Mine still run in fear from the vaccuum!

Christy said...

Manual labor IS important. I feel that is the ONLY reason to have children...so I never have to do laundry again. =)

Julie said...

Glad she did so well in her big girl bed. And what good helpers they are! I think you're the only person I've heard say they don't want any more babies, besides myself. Could be my age *cough*. I don't miss sleepless nights and having to work the next day anyway.

Carrie said...

Ahhh... I can't wait for the days when I can put my kids to work.. lol. j/k. Great post! So true!

Jessica G. said...

Manual labor. Love it!

Kimberly said...

I love the pool photo with them holding hands. So CUTE!

Teri said...

What a cute big girl bed!

I remember feeling my kids had reached a major milestone when they could pour their own cereal and wipe their own butts. Yes, it's the little things in life.

♥ Boomer ♥ said...

I just love this post!!! They do grow so fast! You are a really good mama to see that while it's happening, and not ... poof... what happened? You've been enjoying the travel with them! Love the new beds!!

SmartPumpkin'sMom said...

My girl is almost 5 and I am stuck thinking she is a baby. Small kids-small problems, big kids-big ones. I have some tips for kindergarten readiness on my blog. Check 'em out, SITSah!

Caroline said...

Girl - I'm so proud of you, what a great mom you are. I am a fan of manual labor and am teaching the Redhead some important lessons (like how to microwave his own hotdog and clean up his cars). He is also still in a crib at 2 1/2 and has not attempted to climb out. Of course, there is a pressing need (a.k.a. Baby Homer) for him to vacate the crib in the coming months for this big boy bed. I am nervous about this but know that all will work out well if I threaten him within an inch of his little life! You are in a good stage. I'll be there one day...just not my day yet! Don't want to wish this away.

Helen McGinn said...

*LOL* Yup, that manual labour really, really helps. Wait til the ycan make you a cup of tea....ah, bliss.
Well done on the big girl bed. And I totally have got past the need for a new baby too....having had twins at the last pregnancy, I have no doubt that it would happen again so no thank you. :O)

Lovely to 'meet' you.
Helen xx

Shelle-BlokThoughts said...

LOL... it's SOOOO true!!! One of the very reasons while I decided to have kids truth be told! hehe

Country Mouse, City Mouse said...

Love the big girl bed. Jillian is still in a crib as well, she will be so upset when it goes. I love the kitchen help in her princess dress!!

Anonymous said...

Great post....and I TOTALLY agree with you. I love where Zander is now compared to where he was a few months ago. I admite....I'd love one more.....but seeing as I'm single and getting older, that probably won't happen. So, I'm just enjoying all of Z's phases.

Congrats on the big girl bed.

They are both so dang cute. Z has a fascination cleaning now....I hope he keeps that up. ;) I love child labor.

Anonymous said...

I swear that's the only reason mom had my sister and I is to work like dogs for her!

Susan said...

Very true! I loved when my kiddos were babies, but I couldn't imagine starting over with an infant again. Now, if only i could convince my son to use the potty then we'd really be free from the baby stuff....