He’s Outgrowing Me

July 20th, 2008 • Related • Filed Under

Aaron has recently gone through another growth spurt. His legs are long and lean, the summer pajamas we bought only weeks ago already fit differently, and he’s tipping the scale toward a new multiple of ten.

Last night he wanted me to carry him to bed, which of course I did. He felt so heavy in my arms, and his feet draped the side of my body, passing my knees. I suddenly realized it won’t be long and he’ll be too big for me to carry. The days when I can toss him onto my hip or scoop him into my arms are numbered.

I am so honored and terrifically aware of how fortunate I am to be a mother. A day does not go by without reminding me of how it felt to think I’d never hold a child on my hip or lull a baby to sleep in my arms. It’s not that I’m ungrateful for the last four-and-a-half years of astounding moments, it’s just that I wish each moment would last at least an hour.

I want to bottle his innocence so that when I’m old and tired, I can replenish my heart by simply uncorking a glass full of his giggles. Does anyone know how to slow the clock? I’m not asking to stop it, just to slow it down a bit.

“I’ll love you forever
I’ll like you for always
As long as I’m living
My baby you’ll be.”

-Love You Forever, by Robert Munsch

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Comment by Amy on 20 July 2008:

Love You Forever is one of my favorite books, except that it makes me cry every time! Children grow up too fast, my advice … enjoy every moment … then in the wee hours of the night, write down everything! I feel like I have already forgotten so much … like the little tiny things, even the things that have driven me crazy! The good thing is that with each new day, and each little growth spurt there is a new adventure and more memories made!

Amys last blog post..Children’s Technological Speech
Comment by Wendy on 20 July 2008:

Thanks for this post, Tricia. Tonight I really needed to be reminded of how precious these days are. I can only barely pick Noah up now. He’s 60lbs already! And he’ll be 6 in a couple of weeks… sigh.

http://notesfromthesleepdeprived.blogspot.com

Wendys last blog post..Betrayed By My Own Intestines
Comment by manager mom on 21 July 2008:

Darn you, woman, you got me all misty eyed early in the morning. I’m looking at my two littles on the couch next to me with their legs all long in their pj’s, and realizing how fast it’s gone already, and how quickly more time will slip by.
Comment by Brandygirl on 21 July 2008:

Awwww…. It’s only too soon when he starts noticing boobs..I don’t know how I can ever handle that..
Comment by gary on 21 July 2008:

Slow down the clock??? Wish we could sometimes.
Comment by MamaGeek on 21 July 2008:

I so feel ya, sometimes I wish life had one big old pause button!
Comment by WickedStepMom on 21 July 2008:

Just wait until he starts remarking on how short you are compared to him… That is what my girls do to me.

WickedStepMoms last blog post..Home Sweet Home
Comment by Wendy on 21 July 2008:

I tried to post a comment last night, but it lost it or something, so here goes again.

Last night I was having problems with Noah. Reading this post really did me a lot of good. Thank you for writing it. It reminded me how precious these days are. It also reminded me that this too shall pass.

http://notesfromthesleepdeprived.blogspot.com
Comment by donna on 21 July 2008:

you never forget, I remeber the first word that you said and how beautiful it was, You were only 9 months old and you saw a flower while we were walking and you called it a fla-tee. I remeber it like it was yesterday. And the first time your Dad said no to you how crushed you were and how your little lip quivered like it still does. And the potty dance that you still do when you have to pee. So you see you don’t forget. Flowers will always be fla-tees to me.
Comment by Kim Sanders on 21 July 2008:

Last night we had dinner with family and friends … the traditional Sunday night curry. For no reason Aaron turned to me and said: I love you daddy!!! He left people speechless and amazed with such an expression of affection. Of course, I loved it.

I agree with Donna … we will never, ever forget, and children will never forget how much their parents love them either.
Comment by mama's losin' it on 21 July 2008:

Can I second everthing you just said?? Some days they drive me crazy and I want them to GROW UP…but then I notice they’re growing up and I want it all to stop. I guess all we can do is appreciate them and realize how blessed we are to have them. Great post.
Comment by Jenn @ Juggling Life on 21 July 2008:

I love Love You Forever, except . . . I think it’s sad she has to call him to come.

It was quite a milestone when the last child was taller than me.

Jenn @ Juggling Lifes last blog post..BitchHer 2008: The Inaugural Bash
Comment by donna on 22 July 2008:

And then you have grandchildren and all the memories come floding back.
Comment by Tricia on 22 July 2008:

This is like round and round with Karma. First I make Managermom misty eyed, than my own mom leaves a sweet comment and I get all misty eyed, until I realized she told y’all that I still do the potty dance when I have to pee. Please note, this does not include music and it’s more of a quick shuffle to the nearest ladies room than an actual dance.
Comment by Jen on 23 July 2008:

Way to make me tear up! I’m in denial that my girls are growing up. I swear they are still itty babies.

Jens last blog post..RAK: Wednesday
Comment by kristy on 30 July 2008:

So I have just recently jumped into the parenting world and have a beautiful 8wk old daughter. I never in a million years thought I would want to be a stay at home mom but right now I want it with all my soul. I have just gone back to work and I cry every morning when I have to leave her. I am not a emotional person but being a parent changes your entire world for the better. I even got teary when she went to the next size diaper. I look at my little girl every day and can’t imagine my life any other way. What a gift to be a parent and yes even this early I want to slow the clock.
Comment by Tricia on 30 July 2008:

Oh Kristy my heart breaks for you. I cried all the way to work for days and days, and I was leaving our son with my husband.