Always Your Baby

I was sitting at my desk at school (I am a part-time elementary secretary), glancing up at the pictures I have pinned up on the cork board. Pictures of Mazy’s big blue eyes staring right back at me, pictures of her when she was but just a few months old, and candid pictures of life with a baby. As I took a moment to step back into time, I found my heart missing those moments. Missing those times when she would stare me in the eyes and have no words to express her joy, but only a smile and coo. Looking at a picture of her using her sit-to-stand toy, as she proudly smiles for the camera.

I can’t help but wonder, where did my baby go?

As I stepped away from my desk to deliver a few notes, I reflected on those moments and truly wondered, where DID my baby go?

Then I realized, she went nowhere. She is right here with me today and she will forever be my baby.

I’m sure you have had thoughts of just wanting to have your baby back and wish for those nights when they snuggle up in your arms are fast asleep (okay, maybe not so fast…). Where does the time go, right?

My friend, your child will forever be your baby.

Mazy is a hugger and a kisser. She is a very affectionate person and isn’t afraid to show it or say it. Even though she’s only two, she will walk up to you and just hug – even kids her age. She will walk up to me and say “hug, kiss, mommy!” Of course on the other hand, she can go into complete hermit mode where she won’t even begin to look at you because she is so shy (just ask two of our guy youth group kids or any guy for that matter!)

While thinking about the big changes ahead, having to pack up Mazy’s room, pack up our stuff, and most of all, pack up memories, our family unit will look no different. Mazy will always be our sweet little girl. One day she may pass us up in height, but she will always be our child, our baby. No need to treat her as one, as she is taking leaps into toddlerhood, but our laps will never be too small for her to climb up on. Our arms will always extend for a hug and wrap around her sweet frame. Our lips will always have time to be planted on those chubby little cheeks. And one day, probably not be so chubby…

I have shed tears over leaving the home we first brought Mazy home too, but oh what joy each day is filled with now, and I don’t want to miss the moments of today. I want to soak each one of them up because “our baby” will always be our baby, no matter what age she is. Our baby not in the sense of size or wishing back the past, but our baby in the sense that our love for her will always be there and will always continue to grow, as we grow together as a family.

So if you are missing those early months, don’t let those memories wish for the past, but hope for future! You will always have “your baby.”