8.02.2008

Half-way House

Instead of laughing at the slimy mushy mess of rice infant cereal that took over my kitchen, child and table today, I wanted to cry. Not cry because of the mess, but cry because of the milestone. What if this is my last baby? She is now officially not dependent on me for nourishment. There was a certain satisfaction in knowing that I was the only one that could provide my baby's needs.
I realize that technically, anyone could give her formula, but I am not being technical here- I am being emotional and hormonal.
Hormonal. Now that is an odd word. Hormonal. Say it out loud a couple times. Read it over again. Hormonal. Weird right? I am not sure why, but the word reminds me of brass instruments and deli ham- not necessarily together though...... trombone, hormone. Hormel brand meats. Weird.

Anyhow...
My baby reached the 6-month mark this past week. She is half-way done with being a baby. I realized today that everything around me seems to be "half-way" there.


Six.

Months.

Old.

Where have I been for the past 6 months? Where in the world did it go?
My baby is half-way to not being a "baby" anymore. She is crawling. She is sitting. I finally started her on rice cereal this weekend. She is no longer a baby-baby. Does that make sense to anyone but me? No more sleep-smiles or milk-drunk dazes. No more snuggling against me at any given moment and no more life-dependent need for me.

Then, there is the almost-3-year-old. She is officially at the half-way mark of being a big girl. Not the wears-underwear-and-put-on-her-own-shoes big girl, -I like that part- but the goes-off-to-school type of big girl.
Let us not forget my to-smart-for-his-own-good son. He is half-way done with being a little-big kid. He is going to be 5 in a few months. Out of nowhere he started adding and subtracting numbers this week. He couldn't care less about Big Bird, kiddie pools and "ring around the rosies." He is all about Spiderman, football and waterslides. 5.

Five.

I realize some of you are past the point of having a 5-year-old. Insert your advice here.
I know, I know- I need to look at my "half-way" as the glass is half full....not half empty, blah, blah, blah.
I am going to be one of those mother's who lives vicariously through their children. Sheesh. I already do.

7 comments:

  1. I know how you feel. My 6 year-old come up to my "bust", is starting 1st grade, and is reading almost every word he sees. (not always correctly, but hey...)

    Where did my 1st baby go? Who is this little guy with the skinny knees?

    ALthough it does make me a little sad, I am enjoying the extra help around the house as he is still in the "doesn't mind helping Mommy" stage. And the part-day kindergarten break was easier to get used to than I thought. I guess I'll get used to not seeing him all day. I guess I just eventually realized that there are things I can't teach him, things that I won't always be there for, and became grateful for those out there that CAN do those things for him. And that he will ALWAYS be my angel (he says so...) and that he promised (which I will hold him to) that he will come visit me a lot when I am a grandma and give me lots of hugs. I'll take what I can get.

    (sorry about the novel...)

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  2. How did time go so fast? I wonder that same stuff...in fact, I think you and I are on the same wavelength...we seem to be thinkin' alike at the same time. :)

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  3. I wish I could help but I'm a glass half full kind of mommy about those things.

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  4. At least your 5 year old isn't going to Kindergarten this month :(

    Isaac had his first bully this week and it just kills me. A kid just walked up and punched him in the face. And being the oh-so sweet child he is he turned the other cheek, while his friends screamed in outrage (which is how I know what happened). I'm so scared to send him off to school and have the sweet little boy go away and where he might meet some not so nice kids.



    *sadness*

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  5. you are so right that this is your last child
    Love Ya

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  6. I totally feel your pain! Seriously feel it! My baby-baby is now one. I HATE it!!! Why can't they stay 6 months forever!! (Well not that I want that either but still...you know!)

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  7. This is the true heartbreak of being a mother. When they come to us they are dependent on us for everything and within a few short months they begin the slow and painful process of learning to stand on their own two feet (literally and figuratively!). I think we will always be torn between the desire to see our children learn and grow (the fruits of our hard work) and keeping them by our side forever. Just remember - "to everything there is a season." There is a time for little ones to crawl and nurse and baby-jabber but imagine how weird it would be if your five year old behaved that way? As your baby grows out of babyhood, he will become a darling toddler who mispronounces words all cute and asks you for cuddles. There are wonderful things about every stage!

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