Do you ever grieve... even a little bit.. for your baby getting older?

[MyFourCubs]

I know this is a weird question and I'm sorry if I haven''t phrased it right. What I mean is, do you get saddened as your baby grows, that he/she is getting older and further out of the baby stage? Please don't attack me, I am feeling awful about it. Ds2 (Ollie) is almost 3 months and while I am LOVING the smiles and the interaction and his personality as it's emerging- I can't help but be a little devestated that the baby stage is flying by so quickly already. Perhaps because I KNOW he will be my last- while he wasn't planned at all and I never intended to ahve bub number 4- this time my tubes are well and truly tied, I know there will be no more babies. I adore that we have so much cuddle time now, I carry him around in the sling for hours, he sleeps in my arms. When we are alone we can just sit quietly and snuggle I suppose because I do have 3 older children I am very well aware that this stage is short and precious and while I obviously love all my children and none more than the others, it does change as they get older- their dependence lesens somewhat, the cuddles are not as frequent. I know that when they get to 2ish we will have tantrums and screaming and I will have days of loving but not overly "liking them,"... iynwim.. I am so not ready for that yet!! Even on the rough days with Ollie I still just adore him... I'm still in the post birth high period and I'm dreading that to end.

I don't remember this with bubs number 1 or two- with bub number 1 I couldn't wait for her to outgrow the sleepless nights etc and bub number 2 we had bonding issues because of his screaming, reflux etc. This time it's just so awesome, I'm, loving every minute of baby hood.

So does anybody know what I mean??? Am I the only one? because I'm feeling pretty awful about it.

[dillydAlly]

You are not alone......

We ALL feel like that! I am watching my beautiful DD who is 16 months grow and I can hardly remember her as a newborn.. It seems like such a long time ago....

I often have moments where I wish I could stop time But they ALL grow up!

[Benji]

I guess I'm sort of going through similar - my only child starts school next term. He will be in school until he's ready to go to uni/get a job. I'm SO deeply sad about it. Sad that my innocent, pure little boy is growing up and I hope that he doesn't turn into a horrible adult like so many are. He's just the sweetest thing.

I'm glad you're enjoying it. Get as many cuddles in as you can

[Annabella]

I feel it all the time, I feel very sad how fast my littlest one is growing. Like you, I don't remember feeling it with my older 2, I think maybe it's because my husband wants this to be our last too. I try to pull myself up on it, remembering how lovely they are at 3 &4 (I love that age), but it still saddens me.

[OJandMe]

Yep. Absolutely.

My little man is 8months old, also my last baby. And the last couple of weeks I've been really sad that he's going to grow so fast.

Even DH was getting a little sentimental last night when he was playing with him after bath.

"Last time I'll have a little man this small. Last time I'll have a little baby to cuddle till we have grandkids."

I know I'm definitely 'finished' in having kids.. I don't want another pregnancy or birth... but I will miss having babies around.

Especially coz Lysander is just such an awesome baby.

So you're not alone.

[TheUndomesticGoddess]

I completely understand what you are saying!

I feel the same. I miss the quiet placid little bubby I had just 2 and abit months ago! He is nearly 6 mths old and he is nothing like he was couple mths ago. I miss the laying in my arms without struggling to sit up! I miss bringing him into my bed in the mornings and having a quiet feed and nuggles and falling asleep together. I have watched my son progress soooo much in his 5th month, it's amazing watching him....BUT I do sorta grieve for the early days...I can understand parents wanting more children...newborns are amazing!

[jellybeanicecream]

Absolutely feel the same way. My husband can't wait for Eli to be old enough to kick a footy around the back garden, and while I look forward to that too, part of me will always miss holding him in my arms and his toothy little smiles. It's a bittersweet thing, this amazing love we have for our babies.

[*babygirl*]

I am just about to have my second but I feel this way about DD everyday. She is my best friend and I adore her company but as she is getting bigger and smarter EVERYDAY it makes her new skills in every aspect of her life so very bitter sweet. And I'm already sad about how quickly the next baby will grow lol it is such a precious time that goes so quickly!

[Pulp Fiction]

Ba ha ha. I was reallly bad for doing this when DS was little. When he was 3 months old I was like 'I don't want him to grow up. Why can't he stay 3 months old forever? 3 months is perfect.'

Then when he was 6 months old I thought 'I don't want him to grow up. Why can't he stay 6 months old forever? 6 months in perfect'

I'm still doing that now and he is nearly 2!

So its actually worked out well in a way. Because the way I am going, one day I will be like 'I don't want him to grow up. Why can't he stay 30 forever? 30 is perfect.'

[kar]

F had reflux, screamed all the time and didn't sleep in daylight hours so I certainly didn't grieve over the loss of small infanthood. It does make me sad now that he is getting so big. BUT I also just adore watching him become his own person, and that that person is such a precious soul
It does make me sad that I effectively missed his little babyhood in a blur of sleep deprivation and misery. A is a much easier baby and I am loving it. and loving that i'm enjoying her.