8 Months Old

"Enjoy it while it lasts because it goes by fast."

"Seems like just yesterday and now my youngest is graduated from college!"

"You'll sleep in 18 years." 

(Ok, that doesn't really fit here, but we've had multiple people say that to us. Does.not.help.)

I have heard them all. I've even said them myself. Because they're true. Statements about how quickly this time in our lives will go. Statements about babies becoming toddlers and then kids and how "in a blink of an eye" everything seems to change. I have hundreds of pictures and hours of video proving that yes, it's true. Time does fly. But that doesn't mean we have to fly along with it.

Tom and I often play the game "remember when".

Remember when she used to turn bright red when she was crying?

Remember when she used to love her swaddle?

Remember when she'd just lay on her play mat and not move?

Remember when she first started smiling?

Remember when you had to stand up so she'd be happy?

Remember when she constantly sucked on her toes?

Remember when she would sleep in her papasan chair?

Remember when I held her for all of her naps?

Remember when her feet didn't touch the floor when she was in her jumperoo?

I don't remember the last morning I brought her into bed with me to nurse and get another 1.5 hour of sleep, but I know the day happened. Had I known it was the final day of our morning snuggles, I probably would have snuggled a bit longer. (And taken a few pictures to document "the moment.") But I didn't. She suddenly learned to roll over and those days were...well, over.  We were so excited that she had learned something new that I didn't even have time to be sad about our morning routine ending.

There really are so many things that happen on a daily basis that could stop happening without any warning. She could learn to pull herself up tomorrow (she works hard at this already) which would mean today would be the last day we can leave her to play safely on her play mat while we go change a load of laundry or throw dinner in the oven. 

What night will be the final time I lay her down in her crib with it raised? (Which means no more cute crib skirt *tear.) What day will she want to start weaning herself and not be interested in nursing any longer? When will she wear her favorite black skinny jeans for the final time before they no longer fit? 

I don't know the answers to those questions, but I've learned over the course of the last 8 months to just be present for today. We don't know what tomorrow holds, but thank the good Lord, we know who holds tomorrow.

I read a lot of articles on the bus or while I'm pumping at work. Recently, I read an article that instructed you to have a Kleenex handy before reading (those are the best kinds of articles, aren't they?!). Moms had written in and shared the precious milestones in their children's lives that they hadn't known they would even miss until they were over. Of course, there was the first hair cut (it'll be years before that baby girl gets one of those, I'm sure) and the final night in the crib before transitioning it to a big-boy bed. But then there were some that I hadn't ever thought about - like the day her baby lost his umbilical cord, the final evidence of the connection they'd had for 9 months.

I hadn't even thought about that! Ohmigosh. I was just so happy it fell off the morning of her newborn pictures that I hadn't stopped and taken the time to really think about what it meant. Until reading this article, of course. But man, when you put it like that, I should have noticed. Would it be totally crazy to go back and cry over something that had happened 8 months ago? Yes, Sarah. It would. But trust me, I thought about it.

It's probably a good thing I didn't know about that specific milestone - I was so hormonal those first two weeks anyway.

I was feeding Gwendolyn a few nights ago and she is easily distracted by the computer or the TV or the glistening Christmas tree. It can take 20+ minutes to get 2 tablespoons of baby food in her, bless her heart. (Tom is a slow eater, so she probably gets it from him.) I had plenty of other things I could have been doing in that time, but I made a conscious choice to be patient and just enjoy that time with her. We talked, we smiled and giggled, I made up a song while she observed things around her, I kissed the top of her head 10 times, and I didn't wish those moments away in order to be done and go do something else.

Because you never know when it'll be her last jar of green beans.

Or the final time she's OK with you feeding her (she seems to be getting more and more interested in "doing it herself.")

So yes, I realize that time goes quickly and these days are short. I also know that the last 8 months have held some of the most joy-filled moments of my life and even so, I believe the best is yet to come. She's growing up and while I'm biased, I think she gets more beautiful every day.

I am not the young woman I was 8 months ago. Partly due to motherhood, but mostly due to a transformation that could only be attributed to God working out his plan for our family. It's all Him. But Gwendolyn - our sweet, sweet 8 month old Gwendolyn - has played a huge part in her mommy's internal make-over. Life is truly richer with her in it.

And no matter what age she is, she'll always be our baby.

Here's to cherishing the small things and maybe - just maybe - snuggling for a little while longer...

From the fullness of his grace, we have all received one blessing after another. -- John 1:16

Indeed we have!

I love you more than all the water in the ocean, Gwendolyn!