Milestone Reflections

Can someone come tell this kiddo that he is still a baby?  He seems to think he is a toddler.




I am beginning to get it.  I've seen moms do this, and I could never really sympathize before.



How could milestones achieved ever be anything but a relief... a blessing... even a point of pride?  The milestones of the first kid are so exciting.  Each one.  I couldn't wait for the next one.  So exciting.



And the milestones of the next child I suppose I always compared to the first child -- not in a competitive way, exactly.



More just checking them off--yes, that's normal... that's what my first one did.



But with this little guy, the milestones are bittersweet.  They are coming too fast, and I think they will continue that way; he is in such a hurry to catch up with his siblings.



He makes for a delightful baby.  And the big kids are delightful big kids.  But the attitudes they develop sometime after 18 months can be trying.



And this one is still mostly grateful, cheerful, and just happy to be here.  Life is full of bittersweets.



But for now, he's still just 8 months.  He's still more a baby than a kindergartner.  And tomorrow he'll still be a baby.



I haven't missed it... this time period is not behind me yet.  And although some days I can't help looking forward to the years ahead, when babies aren't hanging on me all the time and the floor stays picked-up all afternoon... still, some days I am just so grateful to be wandering through Diaper Valley with Daniel.



It is sweet to see all these milestones Oliver is reaching, one day at a time.