Not sure who will read this knowing there won't be any fun pictures in this post, but if you feel so inclined to read my recent thoughts, please read on!
I have been thinking a lot lately about how Red is in this "inbetween stage." I say this because he is all the sudden a toddler, growing into a little boy look, while still maintaining his baby body in so many ways. He doesn't speak but just a handful of words but he tries to talk and babbles a lot.
The thing that has really got me thinking of his baby days lately is the fact that his sleeping has changed. He has always been a great sleeper, and in recent months he would reach for the crib as if to say to me, "mommy, I'm ready to go to bed - put me in!" I'd read him a few books and he'd put himself to sleep after I left the room. Not a cry, not a peep. But recently, he has reverted and I've found myself sitting down on the nursery glider, putting my feet up on the ottoman, and rubbing his head and back until he falls asleep on my shoulder. As I relax while he's sleeping on me, I look around the nursery and remember the days, ending only 6 months ago, when I nursed him to sleep in the glider every single night for an entire year. I kind of miss those days but still think of him as my baby.
As a new mom, it has always been difficult for me to be patient, I always seem to be looking towards the next milestone and in these precious moments of rocking my sweet baby to sleep recently, I've been remembering that he still is a baby and its so important to savor each of these stages and moments together. Sometimes during the day, I just squeeze his cheeks and try to remember how cute he is and how much I love the very stage we're in at this moment in time.
Lastly, for all those moms out there, am I the ONLY mom who is actually abiding by the recommendation to keep babies rear-facing until 2 years old? I swear, every single kid on tv I see is forward-facing. And lots of people I know too. So just curious - send me your thoughts on this. Red doesn't even know that you CAN go forward-facing so its not an issue for us AT ALL and we intend on keeping him rear-facing for the remaining 6 months until he hits his 2-year birthday. But I am starting to think I'm the only one....
Saren, I can relate to how you feel- time passes no matter what, so you may as well enjoy every phase, right? Every phase is fun and cute, and every phase has its unique challenges that make you want to pull your hair out! I've noticed that I'm more laid back with my littler kids that I was with the older ones, because I see how fast they've grown. I figure I may as well rock my 2-year old while I can, because she's going to be 9 before I know it and probably won't take kindly to being rocked. :)
ReplyDeleteAs for the rear-facing thing, we've switched all our kids around 1 year, but that was the standard back in the day, and the rear-til-two thing was new by the time Ava came along. I dunno, there's so much hype around this type of thing- you just have to do what you feel is best for you and your family. For us, the ear drum-piercing screaming wasn't worth the backwards car seat. :) But if Red doesn't know the difference and doesn't care, then all the betta!!
Katrina, thanks for your thoughts. I would think its SO MUCH harder to keep younger siblings (as opposed to first children) backwards because they see how much fun their forward-facing siblings are having! So since Red isn't too squished or at all uncomfortable, I'll keep him as long as I can. I can't believe Ava is already 2! You're probably wanting to hang on to all her baby moments and stages since she is likely your last....and I don't blame you! Red isn't even my last but I still am clinging at times. :)
Deletesaren- love to hear about ur mommyhood! just live in the moment and breathe it all in! ur a great mom and red is lucky to have you!! i would just take in all the snuggling you can get from him while he still lets you! my baby is 3 years old now and i just love the connection i have with him! (although my first baby is 10 now, crazy!!!)
ReplyDeleteoh and about the car seat- stay with it backwards, you only have 6 more months and like you said he doesn't know the difference, which is nice! i do have a friend her keeps hers backwards till the r 2, so u r not the only one! loves!
Traci, wow - can't believe he's 9 already! I like how you said you have ONE friend who keeps her kids backwards 'till 2 - HAHAHAHAHA! Just shows how far and few in between. Yes, he's comfortable so I'm not too concerned, just curious to see if there's anyone out there like me....p.s., Tracy, I got a 31 bag for Christmas as a gift and its so cute! Also, I have been on Pinterest for a while but JUST started using it this week and just love some of the things you post!
DeleteWe kept our kids rear-facing in a baby car seat until thier legs grew too long to fit in the seat. Once they could kick the crap out of the seat in front of them we moved them to a strappy car seat. Samya is now in a booster seat but Tosh is still in a strappy car seat facing forward(the only direction you can put them in). Glad to hear you're enjoying your motherly moments and remembering the little baby stages too. There will be more to come as all kids get older. They grow funnier too, thats a great joy.
ReplyDeleteHarmony, Red is already pretty funny but I just can only imagine how funny they get as they start talking and saying funny things and you get to watch their little brains work things out - can't wait! (see, here I go again - no patience for the next stage!)
DeleteSaren, I love your mom thoughts. It's so wonderful (usually) being a mom. I LOVE it. Don't you just wanna squeeze him knowing that he'll never ever be small again. Then I feel sad and can't picture them as men. Anyway, holding your sleeping baby is perhaps one of my sweetest joys. LOVE IT! Also, I switched Pona at a year to forward facing. He was so mad to be backwards. I was just hoping that was still the recommendation cuz Talai is not fitting in his carseat anymore and his 1 year bday is next week. Anywho, love to read your thoughts. Last thing, did Randy tell you that you guys are flying out to tune my piano. I hope he did!
ReplyDeleteHeidi, Randy did tell me we're flying out to tune your piano - hahahahaha! You never know! Also, before I forget - you had asked if we're going to Oahu and yes, that's where we'll be for 3 weeks so I'd love that little travel-guide if you still have it!
DeleteThanks for your comments, I have a feeling your little men are slightly bigger than my peanut Red so its probably easier for me to keep him backwards than it ever was with your kids. :) Red's in the 25th percentile for height/weight.
good reading! miss you guys......do i ever remember the complexities of motherhood!! always a challenge.....it's no wonder GAP was fun back then: a reason to get away! hehe.................xoxo
ReplyDeletehope to see you soon.
stacie
Keep him backwards as long as he is happy. It is SOOOOO Much harder to keep siblings backwards. Kevin HATED the car from about 9 months on and I think it's because he could see Anya facing forwards. Enjoy the good moments while they last. You will NEVER have them again.
ReplyDelete