Wait for me!!!

Lately, so much of motherhood for me has been realizing how fleeting everything is. I am constantly thinking "Stop, wait, I'm not ready yet!" I can barely get one size of the baby's clothes washed and put away before she is growing out of them and it's time to break out the next size. A little part of my heart breaks with every bin of clothes I pack away.  This is a size and a time that I will never get back. Cognitively, I understand that this is what life is all about. We have an experience, we grow and move on to the next thing. I know that there are joys and things to look forward to with every stage of growth for my kids. Emotionally though...there is always that little bit of panic in my chest. It hides right behind my heart and gives it a little squeeze if I pay too much attention to it.
Stop.
Wait.
Freeze this moment for just a second.

My baby's beautiful dark eyelashes against her perfect baby skin flushed pink with sleep. The smell of her breath as she takes a deep breath and snuggles in deeper to my chest.

My toddler's precious pigtails bouncing as she runs across the room. Her looks of surprise and wonder as she experiences new things. Her tiny arms wrapped around my neck as I carry her body, heavy with sleep, up the stairs and lay her in her crib.

My preschooler's excitement to show me what he made in school that day. His little voice singing lullabies to his baby sister. How he asks me to snuggle him at night because he is cold and his little body curls up against mine.  "Mamma, hold my hand."

Please don't grow up. Stay my babies forever.

But that's not what this is about is it? Every day, we need to learn to let go a little bit more. They are their own people and they need to grow and experience and live.
I keep reminding myself to take a deep breath. Savor the beautiful moments of each precious stage (and even some of the not so beautiful moments...I do have a threenager you know!)

Ready or not.