life stages

There are some truths that seem to be universal. Few will dispute that baby anything is cute. Kittens, puppies, lion cubs, even baby vegetables are more attractive than their larger versions. And babies are always cute... (ok, most).

But, while they may always be cute in an "awwww" kind of way, i think that there are life stages to one's appreciation of the whole baby experience. A young woman or young couple thinking of starting a family looks at all babies as gorgeous and desirable and with a wanting eye. That same woman or couple a couple years down the line looks at that stranger's baby in the market with a more complete understanding having presumably already been through some of the "new baby" experiences (not all good, not all bad). Then there is the older individual who has had the baby/child experiences of his or her desire and is now "over it".

As you know, i'm no longer the young woman waiting for the babies. Nor am i the young mom with babies of her own. I must say, this past week has shown me, i'm in that last group. Having cared for some months old kids (11mo, 21mo, etc) and some preschoolers, i'm kinda over the whole baby thing. Yes, they're cute to look at. And cute to give back. :o) I like being able to say "get in the car" and be done with it. No car seats, sippy cups, diapers, "magic blankets", children's menus or nap times.

That's not to say that i didn't love, love, love being a "young mom". Or that i didn't love, love, love having babies and preschoolers and grade schoolers. I was able to stay home for most of it and experience every first (and second and third). And it was a great time that i wouldn't change for the world.

I just wouldn't want to be there now. Or start again. Yikes.

So, if you have little, itty-bitty ones and want a break, great. Bring him/her/them by and i'll watch them for the afternoon so that you can have a whole cup of coffee, by yourself, without having to put it in the middle of the table and reheat it three times. But know that you have to come back at some point, when your little dear is ready to be back with mommy and i'm ready for my return to the relative quiet of having two teens.

While they're cute in their blankets, all snuggled in their bedside cradles, i'm learning to appreciate how cute they are in their car seats, waving bye-bye. Just call me a young (always looking for a way of being anything young!) curmudgeon!