Time goes by fast when you're having fun!

Today I was watching my children play, and how they play. I realized that they are growing up. Zeke has outgrown Bob the builder, and is now watching Star Wars. He no longer wants to lay in bed with me for a few minutes before getting into his own bed at night. He doesn't play with my ear any more when he is tired. He takes showers by himself instead of a bath. He would rather have a salad from McDonald's rather than a Happy Meal. And I didn't even realize we had hit all these mile stones.

And my madi. When did she start saying "I'm thirsty" instead of "I'm squishy"? She no longer has to have a cup of milk in a sippy cup already made and ready to drink first thing in the morning. When did she start watching me put on makeup, and ask if she could have some? We've always put her to bed, and shut her door, then opened it when we go to bed. She's just now started to want her door open right when she goes to bed. I no longer give her little forks to eat with with her little care bears plate, or the divided plates I bought just for her. She doesn't need her booster seat anymore. I don't even remember her getting out of the high chair!!

As I am realizing we've gone through all these stages in a blink of an eye, I've also realized I will never go through them again. (In the words of my husband, Knock on wood!) I don't remember when we washed the bottles for the last time and put them away. I barely remember taking down Madi's crib. I don't remember the last time I had to buy baby food, or when I had to quit giving Madi those cute little meals made just for toddlers that cost and arm and a leg, but I had to buy them for her 'cause they were so easy! When did I quit watering down her juice? I don't need the highchair anymore, or the bassinet. So why can't I get rid of them? My house is no longer cluttered with little baby toys. I don't use my basket for diapers anymore, now it's filled with towels in the bathroom. I don't buy baby shampoo anymore. I'm sure I could go on all day. But the thing is, I didn't even stop and think that my babies weren't actually babies anymore.

I've closed a chapter in my life, and I am looking forward to the next. I guess it's hard for me to tell myself that I'm only 25 and our family is complete, and we've done all the "baby stuff" for the last time. But don't get me wrong, raising a 6 year old, and a 4 year old makes me feel a lot older than 25! It's the funniest thing for me to be standing in line with the other parents at the preschool waiting to pick up our child, and to hear what they talk about. About their lives, and the things they are doing, or going through. Seems so "grown up". My husband does a very good job with letting me still be a 25 year old. He lets me go out for a girls night out with my friends often. We still enjoy going to the bar to hear bands. (Although I was 24 the first time I stepped foot into a bar. You have to keep in mind that on my 21st birthday, I was in the hospital with my second baby!) Ok, that's enough! I could blab about myself all day, and feel sorry for myself! I'm very good at that.