Welcome to Mom Motivation Mondays where weekly contributing writers share their motherhood experiences to encourage you to find the joy in being a mom.

{This week: Post by Melissa Matters}

The last time I was at the park, there was another mom there with an 18 month old.  I saw her throw away a dirty diaper, then gasp and run back because her toddler was attempting to climb up a slippery metal ladder. It made me think of the baby years and all those special moments.

My first born is growing up but I still have plenty of memories.

I remember the first time she and I locked eyes.  For me, it was love at first sight.

I remember when the hospital staff whisked her away to the NICU and I couldn’t wait to hold her again.

I remember when I accidentally cut the skin near her tiny baby nails and I cried because I couldn’t believe I hurt her…but she was fine. 

When she was a toddler, I remember holding my breath when she tried to climb up the ladder at the park.  I was nervous. I kept thinking, “What if she fell?”

I remember the first time she ate cake.  She shook from excitement after experiencing all that sugar.

I remember her eyes changing from the darkest blue, to aquamarine, to the warmest hazel I had ever seen.

I remember dropping her off on the first day of preschool.  She was excited, ready to spread her wings, and barely noticed when I left. 

And, then, I had her brother.  She was so proud to be a big sister.  She wanted to hold him, to fetch diapers for him, and to sing songs to him.   We adjusted to life with a new baby.

Then, suddenly, my oldest was in kindergarten, behind the big, green gate.  Each morning I waved goodbye to her and the days slowly began to melt together.

Things felt like they were going too fast.  My first born was growing up!

I started tucking first paintings, awards, and school pictures safely into scrapbooks but I stored most of the moments inside my heart. Each time she came home from school, I hesitated before throwing math worksheets in the recycle bin. They were just worksheets but they were her worksheets.  And I didn’t want to throw away any memories.

I didn’t want to forget anything.  I didn’t want to miss a thing.

Those baby years may be gone, but each stage of life has its joys and trials. I’ll admit it.  I like the fact that my oldest now ‘sleeps in’ past seven, and sometimes eight. I like the fact that she is independent, that she can make her own sandwich, brush her own hair, and get dressed all on her own, even if she wears two clashing pinks! I like the fact that she can read a chapter book on her own and enjoy it.

I like the fact that she will always be my daughter, no matter how old she gets!

Here’s to remembering the past but also embracing the future.

Have you been facing the bittersweet realization that your child is growing up? How have you been dealing with that?

Melissa Matters is a teacher, turned stay at home mom. She resides in Southern California with her husband, two kids, two dogs and two cats. She blogs over at Wading Through Motherhood where she talks about the joys and trials of motherhood, with a side of humor. Socialize with her on Facebook, Twitter, Google Plus, and Pinterest.

Mom Motivation Mondays happens every Monday here on The Stay-at-Home Mom Survival Guide.
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