I remember when Aidan was a tiny baby and how I would walk around everywhere with him stuck to my chest in a baby carrier. Wherever I went, there he was.
It was attachment parenting before it ever became fashionable.
His favorite place to nap was on my stomach while I was napping as well. Little did I know at the time that this would be called co-sleeping down the road. I guess I was ahead of my time. Or more truthfully, it was the only way I could get some sleep.
And as he got older, that transitioned into rocking him for what felt like hours before I’d gently place him in his crib, which is when he’d always wake up and wail.
That kid had a set of lungs.
When he was around two I decided to Ferberize him. Which basically means, let him cry it out so he would learn to sleep on his own.
The first few nights I did this I would sit outside his door quietly sobbing. It took a full week for him to figure out that I wasn’t coming back in. He did not like the Ferber method one little bit.
Even though he learned to sleep through the night, I will always regret having done that. It just didn’t feel right.
I’m not sure if I appreciated them as much as I could have had I known that three more babies would be coming in the not too distant future.
I don’t think I could’ve loved him any more than I did, because let me tell you, I was quite enamored with this child. Three baby albums full of pics from his first year will attest to that.
But if I only knew how busy my life would become, maybe I would’ve relished those early years with him even more. If that’s even possible. He was a much adored child.
He doesn’t fit in the baby carrier any more. And not only does he sleep through the night, he could sleep until two o’clock in the afternoon if we let him.
But that’s how it goes. Our babies grow up, become adults, and have lives of their own. And that’s a good thing. At least that’s what I keep telling myself over and over again. My mantra for today.
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So sweet! Mine is graduating 8th grade on Tuesday! He’s taller than me too. How did that happen? I think time just kicked into warp speed. Congrats to Aidan!
That is so sweet and they look so great in their prom duds!! I hope Aidan has a wonderful evening.
Made me cry. I had to do the same thing to get my son to fall asleep, and still regret it. Beautiful pictures priceless memories.
This is such a sweet post. I am glad you like to share with us.
Handsome son, beautiful date! Why do they have to grow up!!
My eyes are leaking! What a beautiful post.
I see little glimpses if my eldest son becoming a man, and it is amazing to me. You have some wonderful memories, thanks for sharing.
Carole in OH
What a handsome grad! The dress his date is wearing is very LOVELY!
My son is 5 and he is our only one and will be our only. Thinking about the day he “grows up” and I am not his Mama or Best friend anymore is heartbreaking.
Great photos and Jeff Jr made me laugh.
Mel,
Thank you for reminding me that my time with my babies will be over before I know it!
I have been complaining that my 6 month old will not sleep in her crib at night and wants to sleep with me but I should be enjoying our snugling nights because she is my third and last baby and soon enough she will not want to be attached to me 24/7.
I hope your son had a great time at his prom- but not too much fun ; )
It is brave to share your family stories on line like you do and I look forward to reading each of your posts! How handsome a son you have and his picture with his prom date is exactly what it should be – sweet. They look so darn cute together. Hope they had a fantastic time. Honestly, you don’t look old enough to have a son going to the prom so you’re doing something right!! Enjoy the sun today…..
Its funny, my mothers tells me the same thing ” i will never stop being Your mother, and you will always be my child”. I have yet to enter motherhood, something i do know for Sure, is That thank god for all the mothers out there. Mothers day isnt enough of the appreciation mothers like my own and yourself Mel, and all the mothers out there. Nevertheless, i would’ve like to day happy-soon-to-be mothers day to all the beautifull, self sacrificing, hardworking, mothers out here.
BTW, Jeff totally rocked That photo bomb!LOL!
What a beautiful post. *SNIFF*
I love my children dearly, and I’ll be a hot mess when they are grown.
I think our Son’s always have a special place in our hearts. They really do grow up to fast, it seems like yesterday that I was up rocking my son all night and this past Monday I sent him off to the Navy and I am missing him like crazy.
You made me cry!! My oldest (twins) are finishing their freshman year in high school and I want some of their baby and toddler days back as well. The book you quoted has always made me smile and cry at the same time. It shouldn’t hurt so much to give them their wings but I know it is the right thing to do.
Ah, my mother in law bought me that book and wrote a very special message to me in it right after I found out I was pregnant with my son (my first child). So your caption had me weepy…I knew what was coming! You did good, Mel, what a handsome boy. And anytime you have a husband clowning like that in the background, it’s a double bonus in my book!
Beautiful post! Time passes way too quickly…..
Love that book! Love your pictures!! Thanks so much for sharing.
Rose B.
California
Okay so, they DO get potty trained, right? Wonderful pictures, thanks for sharing. And way to go Jeff, getting one last lick of humor in there…and making MY husband wonder WTH I was laughing so hard at.
This was a beautiful post. I have been reading your blog for over 2 years now and this is the first time I have ever commented. Thank you for the reminder of how precious they are when they are young. I have 2 little boys and sometimes life is so busy I don’t take enough time each day to stop and truly enjoy how little and precious they are. Always worrying about making dinner, cleaning up the most recent mess, putting away laundry, looking for the latest coupon deals etc.
Again, thank you, and Happy Mother’s Day!
Such a handsome boy. You should be proud! I love prom season. My 17 year old daughter’s is coming up. The last one. Bittersweet.
Another AWESOME post – giving my 8yo a great big hug!
Happy Mother’s Day Melanie! What a beautiful and poignant post. Once again you made me tear up and miss their younger days. You take great pix and Aidan is a handsome young man. Hope they had a great time at prom!
*sniff*
<3
Thank you all for your sweet comments. It’s been a whirlwind weekend and I can only imagine what his wedding will be like after what I just went through. Prom was exhausting enough! Not to mention emotional. Thank God for my Kleenex stockpile!!!
Your comments reminded me of my son’s first prom (2 years go.) I held it together until I got to the grand march at the hall, where the couples are introduced and they walk out to the waiting crowd of parents. As they announced him I felt my lip quiver…I thought nobody noticed. When I caught up with him to take more picture he said, “I saw you crying.” Oh well..something about seeing them in the tux with a lovely young lady by their side…it’s tough for us moms!
omg what great photos–old and new–what a beautiful prom couple!!
Melanie
You made me tear up!!!! my babies are 6 and 4.5 but they are growing sooooo fast!!!
I’m tearing up! I love this saying. My baby is only 7 months old but it already feels like he’s growing so fast.
We did Ferber, too. I do not regret it, it was necessary.
Very nice looking young man. Great pictures! Thanks for sharing!
Great post. Loved the pictures (and Jeff’s photo bomb!). I’m glad I got to meet Aiden at your LoveDrop – he’s such a great young man – very polite, funny and social. Thanks for sharing the story!
-Jess D, CT
Sitting here crying. I’m about to have my second son and I am already missing the one on one time with my first. I’m holding on to all the time I have right now just being his mommy…