Gone are the Precious Days of Babyhood

It seems like yesterday I was watching you dance in my belly, anxiously awaiting your arrival. Now you’re going to be ONE at the end of this month, and my heart just can’t take it . . . 

Gone are the days of your newborn baby smell.

Gone are the days of sleepy days and sleepless nights.

Gone are the days of skin-to-skin contact.

Gone are the days of you fitting perfectly on my chest.

Gone are the days of constant feeding and snuggling.

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Gone are the days of gently patting your back to get you to burp.

Gone are the days of tiny baby coos and giggles.

Gone are the days of wearing you in a baby wrap around the house.

Gone are the days of watching your sleepy smiles and listening to your tiny breaths as you nap in my arms.

Gone are the days of being able to set you down, knowing you’d remain in one place.

Oh, my heart misses those days, but I know I have so much to look forward to.

Hello are the days of wobbly legs.

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Hello are the days of learning new gestures.

Hello are the days of a growing vocabulary.

Hello are the days of making you laugh as we play hide-and-seek.

Hello are the days of holding your tiny hand as you walk next to me.

Hello are the days of hearing you call my name when you need something.

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Hello are the days of learning animal sounds and colors.

Hello are the days of toys, toys, and more toys.

Hello are the days of keeping you busy.

Hello are the days of new adventures.

I truly didn’t understand just how fast time flies until I had you, and as time goes on, I know it’s going to go faster and faster.

I’ve tried so hard to get time to slow down, but there’s no stopping it. You’re no longer going to be my tiny baby anymore.

Instead, you are growing into a perfect little boy, and I couldn’t be more proud and excited to be your mama.

Previously published on the author’s blog