No "Oh Happy Day" Today

"Enjoy it while it lasts…" they said. "It goes way too fast!" It's something new parents hear over and over from child-rearing veterans. In the sleepless haze of those first few weeks…that sentiment is a little hard to believe. It's impossible to grasp "time flying" when the days (and nights) seem to drag on and run together in an endless blur of feeding, changing, rocking, crying (by both baby and probably mama) and then starting the cycle all over again. Forget showering, catching your favorite show on TV or eating anything that resembles real food…those are foreign luxuries you only faintly remember from the pre-parenting era. Then, one Sunday morning you wake up and find yourself packing up your daughter's newborn clothes. And you realize…your baby is growing way. too. fast. Time is flying.

We bought this 'Oh Happy Day' onesie in Chicago as Little Bit's coming home outfit…but it ended up being way too big for her 5-pound frame. Now, she makes it look like it was made for a doll. Mama had to wipe away a few tears today folding up some of our favorites, marking the end of the newborn era.

It's the constant emotional battle of parenthood: Being eternally grateful that your baby is happy, healthy and growing like a weed…but wishing you could keep them little and perfect and safe forever.

We must have the grace to let them grow...

Jen

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"How To Help Me In My Grief"