The kids had Friday off from school. I took them to music class with the baby. They looked like giants. If you ever want perspective of how much your kids have grown – put them in a room with a bunch of two year olds.
I kind of sat back and let Eloise do the class with Astrid. At one point Eloise took Astrid’s hand and led her to the instrument bin.
The mom next to me had two little girls on her lap – a new-ish baby and a toddler. Just six short years ago that was me in this very same class. This very same spot. This very same music. Little Eloise dancing. Baby Esther cradled in my arms. I closed my eyes briefly and went back to that moment. That very brief moment.
Soon I felt a tap on my arm from this mom next to me.
You daughter, how old is she? She asked.
Eight. I replied
Eight? She’s only eight? That is what eight looks like? She seemed shocked. I noticed she hugged her two year old just a little closer.
Yes, that is what eight looks like. I answered.
Our nice weather has ended our neighborhood hibernation. The children emerge from their homes each Spring I swear a foot taller and more beautiful. They run faster and jump higher. The balls they throw go further and their voices are different.
The young girl from down the block rides her bike by and I do a double-take. Twelve – isn’t she just twelve I think? She now must be five feet ten with a body of a woman and long blond hair curling down her back. I stand in shock as I call Eloise over to hug her shoulders to just keep her still for a moment as I think..
So that is what twelve looks like?
Bittersweet, isn’t it?
Mary recently posted..How the Easter Bunny Redeemed Himself
For some reason I haven’t thought much over the years when people would tell me how much my son was growing or how small he was the last time they seen him but a few weeks ago I was stopped Dead. In. My. Tracks. He had just gotten out of the shower and had his robe on and the way the light him him just so, I could see he had a mustache :O WTF!!! Needless to say, I cried myself to sleep and have been in a state of semi-coma ever since…
Oh, and if you are wondering, he will be 14 in June
They really do sprout up faster than we expect or want and although I am looking forward to watching him turn into a man, I would really like to have my little boy back sometimes…
Ack – a mustache.
((
I still vividly remember when I first walked my Erina to her Kindergarten class room. I’m sure I gawked at the “HUGE” 5th Graders, they all looked so mature, so grown up and a bit scary. I made sure to double check with the teacher that my little girl didn’t have to share a playground with THOSE big kids. Now my little girl is one of those big kids… I swear, it happened so fast!!
Monika recently posted..Spring Mini Sessions in Vacaville- CA
I admit I used to look at those big kids because they were trouble because they were BIG and my baby was well..my baby. Now she is a big kid and as sweet as pie.
lovely. Scary. But loverly.
Jen recently posted..on eggs and easter
This post is absolutely gorgeous in every way.
I can’t believe that is what eight looks like either! My cousin is ten so I remember the day she was born, I remember holding her for the first time and teaching her how to smell flowers and now she’s writing me emails! GAH!
Yuliya recently posted..hump day nuggets- or blatant plagiarism
Absolutely gorgeous post.
Mine will be 3 or 5 this summer and it seems like just a few months ago they were learning to walk!! It is such a cliche but so true that they grow up so fast.
Stephanie recently posted..I just don’t get…
Oh, honey wow. Just wow! This post is brilliant, beautiful. Just like your sweetness and your motherhood.
Excuse me while I go squeeze my BABIES a little tighter!
XO
I’m looking at 13.
Curves and beauty, but sweetness … like the toddler she once was.
Enjoy it all, enjoy it all
By Word of Mouth Musings recently posted..Mondays Muse is not really chaotic at all!
I waffle between loving the babies and looking forward to enjoying womanhood with these amazing girls. I always love your perspective sweet friend.
My daughter will be 8 later this year and I can’t believe how big she is compared to my almost 2 year old.
Jessica recently posted..Another Recap
She’s beautiful. I cannot imagine 8. I can barely get past 2 without tearing up and he’s still months from that. *hugs*
Alison@Mama Wants This recently posted..The Week That Was
Tracy, I’m still grappling with 5…I don’t want to even think about 8!
liz recently posted..On the Hunt for Quick &38 Easy
Break.my.heart…beautiful post! I face each new stage with such mixed emotions, joy for the awesome little people that my kids are becoming, but wistful sadness for the squeezable little ones who they are slowly shedding…
Melanie H. recently posted..Nacho Cheese
I am constantly amazed when I look around and see these men who call me mom.
And Mary is changing like crazy too. Promise we’ll get together before she is 8.
Michelle L. recently posted..Easter Egg Hunt in a box
I want to – like today or yesterday or tomorrow. Please let’s plan it? xoxo
So they really grow up THAT fast!?
Barbara recently posted..Steppin Out – Easter Style
your daughter is GORGEOUS and eight!!! I always think that time is just passing so quickly and I’m afraid that sometimes we are letting them grow up so fast, so quickly away from us. I know that your hugs will keep her 8…until it’s time for her to be 12. xo
Kir recently posted..Mama Kats Writing Workshop- Tell Me Something Good
How lovely and so bittersweet. I’m not even ready to see what two looks like, much less eight.
Also? I love your children’s names.
Kristin @ What She Said recently posted..The Meaning of Easter
Oh two is fabulous. Three kind of sucks though.
..and thank you about their names. xo
It’s pretty scary, isn’t it. I don’t even want my 6 year old to look 6 yet.
Amy recently posted..Maegans War Story
What a great post.
Lisa recently posted..Sometimes I feel bad for the not-so-cute kids
Just wait until 9… boobies!!! ACK!!! I SOOO wasn’t ready for what 9 looks like!
Ann recently posted..Simple Womans Daybook- April 25- 2011
Please don’t say boobies. Jed reads my blog.
Pretty sure he’ll move out when Eloise starts her period.
This post makes me want a pause button. I can’t believe how old my 3 1/2 year old is looking lately. It goes so, so fast.
Elena recently posted..Happy Easter!
This made me a little watery tonight, especially on a day when I was counting hours – then minutes – until bedtime! Maybe I’ll sneak in for one extra cuddle. Two’s going quickly.
ChiMomWriter recently posted..iPhone Security Issues Parent Edition
My daughter is 16mo and I wish I could freeze her so she’d stay that way forever. I feel about the two year olds how you feel about the 12 year olds. Ack!
Your daughter is a beautiful eight.
Ilana recently posted..Oh No— My Baby Caught The Beiber
Just found you through Twitter, come visit me at my blog.
Daughters…it’s terrifying really. I have two. You want to protect and hold them and keep them innocent and safe from anyone who wants to hurt them. And judging by her picture, she’s going to grow up and be a stunner, so it will be doubly hard!!
Enjoy it while we can, it’s our only hope!
FranceRants recently posted..Advice Column Rant
Eloise is beautiful. And I’m going to hold my little ones just a little tighter tonight.
Beautiful post!
Ah, yes. My little one is a middle schooler and almost as tall as I am. Last year she was still a little girl and now… she is still herself and yet also very different.
Queen Mahin recently posted..Spring- A Photo Essay
Preach it, sister. There must be something we can do to slow this whole process down just a bit. My almost ten year-old daughter borrowed one of my shirts yesterday. *shudder*
Sue the Desperate Housemommy recently posted..Girls on the Run
She’s beautiful. And, as the mom of an almost 2 year old, I’m terrified! They grow so fast.
Mama Track recently posted..Tantrum
THAT is EIGHT? Excuse me while I hug my 15-month-old a little closer, and pray the next 6 1/2 years don’t fly by too quickly!
It really does fly doesn’t it? At the peak of my exasperation, I’ve caught myself saying to my 4 year old “why can’t you just GROW UP ALREADY??”
It will happen soon enough…I shouldn’t rush it.