Bye Bye Baby

I spent this last weekend redecorating my youngest daughters room. She is only a year and a half but I was ready to move her into a 'big girl' bed. She is my third and it feels like I have been in baby mode for the past five years ... strollers, cribs, diapers, high chairs ... some people could continue with the 'baby mode' for their whole lives but not me. I am ready for the adventures of childhood when my children take their wings and start to fly.

I am excited to watch and see where their little personalities take them. Will they be sporty girls who thrive on soccer and basketball or will they dance their hearts away as ballerina's? Will they like to be outdoors and play detective around the neighborhood like I did with my childhood friends? Oh the endless opportunities they have at this young and impressionable age! To be five years old again ... and have your whole life ahead of you - not that I still don't now but there is a certain magic about life when you are that age.

I used to think that my imagination would never go away when I grew up. I thought to myself, "I have an extra special creative imagination and I will always have it! I will always know how to play school with my stuffed animals and create adventurous games with my friends. I am me!" Well 'me' did grow up and I now marvel at my daughters imaginations and wonder where mine went ... my imagination now consists of fun vacations I would like to take, new ways to make extra money, how to create more space in the small rooms in my house - not the fun stuff of five year old me.

Sleep overs, girl scouts, neighborhood night games, hiking trips, road trips, Little House on the Prairie books, Berenstein Bear books (not the Sprout t.v. show), front porches that could transform into anything, winters when it seemed like it actually really did snow all time ... the little things of childhood that create the best memories. I cherish those precious times in my life and I can't wait for my children to experience that extra special time in life ... when the memories that you will always remember really start.

I loved having my babies and rocking their tiny little selves in my arms. They were precious and sweet and I will always treasure those times - but I am ready for the baby part to be done now. I will always love holding my friends new little ones but will be glad to go home to my big kids as they continue to grow up. Moving my 'baby' into her big girl bed is the beginning of childhood at play in the finest of years. It was a big step for us to put away the crib, rocking chair and baby blankets but we are ready for the road ahead of us. Let the imagination years begin full throttle! We're ready for some big adventures!!!