I saw other mamas who had kids Lincoln's age already announcing a new pregnancy and I was jealous. I thought my sweet boy was all grown up and that all of the sweetest and best moments about his babyhood were gone - and that I needed another baby to experience it all over again.
Now that I can look back on this time (just over a year ago), I think I must have been crazy. Don't take that the wrong way. I wouldn't trade my Adelaide Rose for anything. It's just that sometimes I wonder what things would have been like if Lincoln had been the baby just a little bit longer.
Would he have had an easier time transitioning to a toddler bed and learning to sleep (almost) through the night? Would it have taken him longer to finally say mama? Would we be able to go to storytime and the park and the zoo more often, without me worrying that he will run away while I'm occupied with the baby?
I wouldn't want him to miss out on having a built-in friend so close in age. They are both so happy to see each other at the start of the day. They love to "play drums" together, and hardly a day goes by when he doesn't shout "MAMA! Baby down!" in an effort to have me place her beside him. Their bond will be stronger since they are so close - won't it?
Obviously there is no going back now. But I truly don't want to change anything about our family. And in case you wondered, yes, that does mean I am in no hurry to add any additional sweet babies to our gang.
I just want to soak up the little moments. Lincoln's belly laugh and Addie's giggle. The determined look in her eye when she wants a cracker crumb and will stop at nothing to reach it. The way his eyes light up and he shouts "Mommy! Bounce - tigger! Inky bounce tigger!" and stomp-jumps his way all around the living room. The way she feels when she is snuggled up to me (endlessly nursing) while I write.
These are the things I want to remember. I want my precious children to know that no matter what - regardless of how sleep deprived I am - they make my heart smile.
Slow down, time. Because, really, I am not in a hurry.
It's good that they are so close. I was an only child until age 3.5, and it was boring and lonely. It's much more fun to have siblings! :)
ReplyDeleteI know that in a couple of years, they're going to be great at entertaining each other!
DeleteSiblings close in age are great in the long run! That photo of them playing together is so sweet.
ReplyDeleteI am saying the same thing to Father Time right now! I'm about to start planning a double first birthday party, and I just can't fathom that! It's great to just slow down sometimes and think about what we have right now. I so often get caught up in the next step or plan that I forget about what's in front of me.
Steffany - first birthdays...oh my goodness! I can't believe I'm almost there with Addie, too. It's CRAZY! I am trying really hard to savor all the sweet little moments and not get stuck just thinking about what comes next. It is hard some days, though!
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