It's time to do more of this! |
When I look down at him in the position we use for
nursing most often I know he won’t fit this way much longer. He’s just getting too big. He can reach the side of the chair with his
foot and will kick off it, knocking his latch loose, and generally just pissing
himself off.
This is how big he is compared to the chair! |
I don’t want to be one of those moms who won’t let their
child grow up, but man is it hard. I’m
still holding onto the little bits of baby I have left. His six month birthday is coming up and I
find myself wondering where the time has gone.
How is he almost half a year old?
It just seems unreal.
I guess that's why I've been dragging my feet about giving him more solids. I'm just not ready to let go of him being a baby. And let's be honest, we've all seen those chunky thighs, how is he still hungry?!!? Today I finally bucked up and decided to try feeding him solids twice. So we bought some rice cereal to feed him after he had his fruit.
My new obsession is documenting his chunky thighs before he thins out and loses them! |
I can't remember the last time I gave Carter a bottle. I've only done it once or twice around company and out in public before I was comfortable breast feeding with a cover-up on. It has definitely been a long time! It was nice because he had a better view of my face and I could look into his eyes. He was staring at me the entire time.
This face melts my heart every time! |
While looking down into Carter's eyes I saw my reflection in his beautiful blues. He was so content watching me. I began to feel better about him eating more solids and becoming less of a baby. I knew that as Carter gets older he may no longer need me as his source of nourishment, but he will always know me as someone who will love and take care of him. He may not always fit in my arms like he does now, but he will know my embrace as a source of comfort and safety.
Carter may not always be a baby, but I will always be his mom. All I can do is my very best job. That means letting go of my wants and needs and embracing his. It's not about me being ready for him to eat solids, it's about him being ready.
Every part of me wants to be the best mom I can possibly be and that's what makes these moments easier. Instead of feeling sad about him growing up (even in this small little way) I feel joy that he is growing up as a healthy and curious baby. Putting on my big girl pants tonight, setting my needs aside, and hoping beyond hope that little man sleeps better!
Liam just started doing the same thing! He doesn't wake as often though, so you're a trooper! They hit a growth spurt around 6 months, too. I set a "deadline" for starting solids before Liam was born and I think that helped. I also knew it was time because I found myself looking forward to seeing him learn something new and he was showing all of the readiness signs. I didn't want to push him out to babyhood until he was showing he was ready for it!
ReplyDeleteI also whisper in Liam's ear every day that he will ALWAYS need his mom. He'll be 40 and remember some little voice in the back of his head saying, "You ALWAYS need your mom!" Why do they have to grow so quickly?!
I know, I kept thinking it was a growth spurt or teething, but after 3 weeks I knew I had to try something! I like that idea, I need to start whispering that to Carter!
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