I dragged the kids out front on Wednesday evening to take their photo.
They're good kids... they humored me and didn't complain about me wanting to take photos.
I think I took four or five.
One turned out pretty nice. :)
I love digital photography.
So they're 21 and 27 this year. I can't believe that much time has passed.
And I've talked here before about having babies.
How I wanted a baby.
A sweet little dampish bundle that (most of the time) smells nice and feels good nestled into the side of your neck.
You'd think I'd have figured some of it out before I had a 2nd one... but nope. Had another without a whole lot of forethought.
Before babies, I didn't ever consider the introduction to solid foods. Hell, I hadn't considered breast feeding or bottle feeding or cloth diaper or disposable diapers.
Or toilet training.
I didn't think a lot about who would take care of the babies when I went back to work. And of course the moment they handed me that first little dampish bundle, nothing else but the baby mattered. Leave my baby to go to a JOB?? No.
According to some, I've never held a 'real' job again. Not that I listen to crap like that. I think we all know what goes into raising a child.
I didn't consider education of said babies, either. Because of course *everyone* sends their children to school, right? I never considered that I'd end up being a homeschooling mom. That was something religious people did so their offspring wouldn't learn about evolution!
I didn't consider orthodontics. Every paycheck I earned for three and a half years went directly to our dentist.
Seriously.
And look at those smiles.
Worth every single hour I worked.
That really holds true for the kids themselves. Worth every single hour I spent with them. Every single hour I worked, thought about them, worried over them, did my best for them.
Looking back, I wish I'd taken more time to appreciate how short time is, though.
If your kids are little, take as much time as you can to just enjoy them. The smell of their hair after they wake up from a nap. That warm, sleepy little person snuggled in your arms.
If your kids grew up, the way mine did, what do you wish you'd done more of? Less of?
And have you ever spent even a single moment NOT worrying about your children? I don't think I've had a worry-free moment since June 22, 1987.
some moments are hard to enjoy (mom she hit me!)
ReplyDeleteI think parents always have some regrets, but you do what you can at the time, with the knowledge you have. We have 3 kids, and 13 grands. They are supporting their families, and don't ask for money. What more can a parent ask for.
ReplyDeleteI still worry about my kids, even though they are in their 30's now. It is hard not to, even though I know they are quite capable of functioning without me.
ReplyDeletePeople who know me well often call me a mother hen. They are probably right.
ReplyDeleteGood looking kids!
Absolutely. Worry is a daily thing for me. However I do try not to let it rule my life. I acknowledge the issue, do the whole what IF game thing and move on from it. The kids have a good foundation, know right from wrong, have a good support circle of friends - I've got to trust they'll do the right thing whatever the situation. Least that's what I tell myself daily. :)
ReplyDeleteYou've sure got some good looking kids - nice teeth too!
well done mumma, they survived :) and they look happy :) bonus :) where have the years gone, my baby had his own baby last week, he's 23,middle one is 24 and eldest 26!!! faaaark i feel old thinking about it LOL still shake my head when the twinnies call me nanny!!!
ReplyDelete