embracing the end of infantdom

they are 6,4 and 2

the time has come to say goodbye to some things.

goodbye first-born-gotta-do-everything-perfectly-or-she-will-end-up-dancing-on-a-pole-days

(U of I graduate school graduation, turned in thesis 6 days before she was born-otherwise titled "hey honey let's take our picture in front of this vandalized dumpster)

good-bye if-we-don't-play-baby-einstein-all-stinking-day-and-put-learning-blocks-in-front-of-her-she-will-never-get-into-Harvard Law-days

(note Stuart our first "baby" wondering why the heck we didn't make him look at black and white shapes when he was a kitten)

goodbye cheesy-ass-tshirts-that-say-mommy.  they have been replaced with spanx, large distracting earrings and the distinct disheveled look of a mother of 3.

(i mean really?  i had this made and then wore it? )

goodbye naps-for-me-during-the-day-because-he-fell-asleep-in-the-beco-and-i-wouldn't-dare-try-to-move-him

(if i sit with my eyes closed and focus, i can feel his baby chest move up and down and his breath hit my cheek....sigh)

goodbye baby wearing.  i can't be funny here because i am too busy crying....if anyone has a baby i can wear can you swing by with her just for a little while?  i won't  promise i will give her back.

(okay so kinda funny.....if i had a NICKEL for every time i was asked if my baby could "breathe in there" oh i would be so SO rich!)

goodbye breastfeeding...no tears here.  i gave them their year whether it was pumped or tapped but i am DONE and that is a good thing for me.

(i bet her dolly didn't clamp down, bite, pull and demand)

goodbye oh so soft minkee cloth diapers.  if-i-never-have-to-flick-poop-into-the-toilet-again-days

(the boy had some physique huh?)

goodbye people-using-my-ginormous-pg-belly-for-a-teatime-table

(alternately titled, i need a nap and i don't care what you are doing as long as you are safe)

goodbye sleeping-with-one-eye-open-to-check-to-see-if-she-is-still-breathing-every-two-seconds-nights

(this was a "sun bath" for jaundice.  umm....do you think maybe they forgot to remove something at the hospital?)

goodbye to my fuzzyhaired-sweet sighing-doublechinning-milk breathed-hipholding-heart-breaking infants.

you are who i was.

and now as i find out who i am, i hope the memories of your baby days give me strength,

let me know that if i can do all of this, i can do anything.

i hope i didn't screw you up yet.

farewell to my sweet, sweet babies...it was a great ride.

for other embracing, hop on over to Emily's blog...

http://www.andersonfamilycrew.blogspot.com/