Clover Lane

It boggles the mind, doesn't it? I am in the same boat. I WISH I could morph them back into 9 month olds. Oh well. I love them in any ages, shape or form!

XOOX
Jen

I love that somewhere between the beginning and the end of this post you sort of squashed your own worry. It's so true. You know it will be okay, but sometimes it's nice to hear it, even if you have to be the one to tell yourself.

And, how funny. Our 8 month old daughter (first child) is sleeping in her room as I write this and I wonder who I could pay to freeze time since she seems to be one month away from the ideal age. She's so precious and so is every day with her, and yet I can't help but wonder what she'll be like a year from now, 5 years from now. I've come to know this as the blessing and the curse of motherhood, and human nature really. Always wishing for something different, new and exciting.

Part of me thought (hoped) you were going to say the desire to go back in time wears off once you have "enough" kids ... not so, huh?

So, I've been reading your blogs for about a week now and was wondering when I'd decide to chime in. I'm pregnant with #4 at 40 (o.k, turned 41 in March but still say 40)..and my oldest is 14. Like yourself, we'll be writing college tuition checks along with a preschool check. Our family will inevitably change...will we do our annual Christmas card photo?, will he be coming with us on family vacations?, you get where I'm going with this. Anyway, I just want to hold on to my family right now, the way it is...O.k, maybe fast forward 5 weeks from now when this new member of our family will join us!
By the way...my 6 yr. old walks around saying, "your mom goes to college"..big fans here as well!
Enjoying your blog!
Pam

Keep 'em coming. I so love reading your blog.

I have the same worries. I panic when I think that we only have 3 years left of the oldest one living at home. What will it feel like with one of the kids absent from the dinner table on a daily basis. How will we get everything in that we wanted to do with the 6 of us. Then I worry what type of relationship she will have with the youngest since they will have only lived together for 4 years. I try not to think about it too often because you are right, you never know how it will really turn out. I just try to enjoy all 4 of them in the moment.

What a cute picture!! My dad and his sister are 16 years apart. He remembers fondly coming home to visit with her and seeing her grow up over time.

You will have so many memories of all your children through time making you both smile and cry.

Great picture & post (AGAIN!)

Oh I feel you. It seems like yesterday I was looking into my oldest daughters big brown eyes for the first time. Now I have four and it feels like time is flying by.

My oldest just went to her first prom. My youngest just got banished to diapers after peeing in her panties for the 100th time! It's crazy. I have two teenagers, a preschooler and 3 other kids in between. Of course, I wouldn't change a thing...well except for the peeing in the panties part.

I'm curious, how do you come up with 9 mo as your very favorite age? People ask me all the time what my fav. age is and I can never decide because there's good and bad to every age.

Shari-
9 months? Super cute, sitting up, solid foods, no 2 hours feedings, babbling, reaching for you, snuggly, and most importantly, NOT walking!

As always...so true. I had to giggle about the baseball thing because that was me this spring with Jamison and soccer and my non-refundable $40. Loves to play in the yard and with other kids but refused to go out there!

Yep! I'm with ya. That's stuff I really can't think about. It totally freaks me out.

Very true, Sarah. That is a good age.

I've been pondering and I think I've come up with my favorite, sort of.

I'm reallying liking 5-8 yr olds.

They are potty trained, they can dress themselves, they are the best conversation partners (hilarious) and they are potty trained.

(Can't tell I'm DONE with the potty training can you?)

Thanks for replying, Sarah. Very nice of you.

Well said, as always. When large families were the norm, it wasn't uncommon that about the time the youngest was leaving babyhood, the oldest child was off starting a family. Now, I'm not wishing grandparenthood on you, but you are lucky to be enjoying the thrills of babies and the "joys" of the teen years. My fav baby age was around 6 months or so - responsive, chubby, cuddly, smiley - and not moving around - plop 'em on a blanky nearby and they were happy as can be. Just as soon as they got to that phase they grew out of it, like all the other phases.....it's all so fleeting.

Ah, this is exactly why I'm thinking about going for number 5!!! I still have 11 years before my oldest goes to university, but the youngest is 17 mo and that's sooooo not baby anymore :P

It's so sad. We are going to miss Avery so much next year when she is at school all day and then off to dance too. It's a hard thing.

This was a priceless post.
Thanks for reminding me that it's the moments that count and cannot be completely manipulated either! What a good mama you are.

Yep! My oldest starts high school this year and my youngest has one more year until kindergarten. flying by...and off they go.

I loved this year! I too have 5 children and my eldest was away for her first year at college navigating meal plans and dorm life; while my youngest, a 4 year old, brought home hand-made valentines with kiss marks and styrofoam cup art projects for the window sill with grass for hair messily growing out. This year more then any other took my breath away!!! but ironically our daughter leaving has brought us all so much closer. Maybe it’s that we realize now more then ever how much we love being together as a family or how lucky we are to have precious little cuties to lighten up our days. I thank God for my children and the spacing by His design...I now realize the many gifts within....

Thank you Sarah for doing this blog...it is truly beautiful!