First Tooth

So, the last of my three has a loose tooth. At the risk of sounding like a completely enmeshed, overprotective, sappy mom - here goes. I AM SO SAD!! Happy for him, but sad for me. No more "little boy" - working on being a "big boy". I know that will bring even more fabulous moments, but I mourn ( a little) what I don't think I fully appreciated while I had it.

So, IF I could do something it would be "PASS IT ON". What I mean by that is that I know that as a parent, wife, etc. there has been SO MUCH I have taken for granted and let slip - and sometimes even PUSHED - past. Don't you ever say "I can't wait 'til.........." (you fill in the blank) to your husband or kids and then later - years, months, whatever - look back and realize that "til" has occurred and you really don't even like it and wish you could go back? Well, I do and I have. So, to pass it on, I would like to tell all new moms - YES, sometimes you do not bond right off with your newborn - you are okay - and the bond will come - maybe when they are walking or even just sleeping through the night (so you can appreciate them more ;0) but it will come. Just keep putting one foot in front of the other and keep on . For those of you out there that felt that "bond" right off with your first - don't take that for granted either - that is great!
Then I would tell you - SIT DOWN!! When they are toddlers just learning how to play - sit down - imagine with them- read to them- dress up with them ! (yes, even the boys need to dress up!) Talk about a stress reducer! When you don't feel like you have anything left to give - the check book won't balance, the food all burned - or worse, you only have ramen noodles and tomato soup - you are so tired and have piles of laundry or feel like you deserve some "me time" because the day/week has been soooooo rough - SIT DOWN!! Sit down with them and see what a glorious gift God has given you and wants you to appreciate. I don't think I did too well with this with my first - I was so focused on making sure all milestones were met (or exceeded in her case) and making sure I was holding my job, balancing the bills, taking time for me, and planning for the next one (yes, next baby) - that I didn't take the time I wish now I would have to complete that bond that was forming. But, each day is new and I see the importance of it now and try to do these things. I am so not perfect (as you have already figured out from my other posts) and this is just another area God is perfecting in me. Satan on the other hand, wants me bound up, busy, tired, irritable, etc. so I don't sit down - so I don't take time - and then maybe he can use that to his advantage - NO WAY!! Walking with God - praying against that - have to work harder than some others at time to really do this, but then my five year old comes to me and shows me his first loose tooth and I think - WOW! Thank you, God. Thank you for waking me up - for reminding me that TV is not as important than the time with my kids. That "me" time will come - and probably all too soon - because there will be no small children in my home anymore - they will be starting their own families instead. Thank you, also for reminding me that You have my back! (Jeremiah 29:11)
Do I have more to pass on? You bet! Just not today - I will save it all for another entry.........