Letting Them Grow

One thing I've been struggling with lately is how fast the kids are growing up.

Leah is almost 6 months old...half a freaking year!  How on earth did that time pass so fast.  Sean is becoming such a big boy.  He's potty trained, so loving, and becoming such a helper.  Ryan is 5 years old.  He's learning so much everyday.  I just found out that when he goes to kindergarten next year it is full day.  I am so bummed out about that, but I know it will be good for him academically.  I cannot express how proud I am of him.

I don't know if my sadness is emphasized because I know that Leah is the last baby I will have, but I find myself holding on to these kids so tightly and willing time to slow down.  One result of this unwillingness to let go has been my complete acceptance and actually enjoyment of co-sleeping.  Sure, everyone has an opinion on it, and to be honest, I don't care what anyone has to say about it.  It started out during the moving process as a way to survive, but it ends up being what works for us.  I will transition Leah to crib sometime, but not yet.  I relish our quiet snuggles.

As my mother always told me, the hardest part of being a parent is letting go.  I know that watching my children grow will be the most rewarding experience I could ever hope for, but boy it is a bittersweet journey.  I just have to keep reminding myself one blessing I've found about letting children grow is that each phase is as good or even better than the one before it.  So while I hate to let them grow, I do know that I am enjoying every minute of it.