Five Months Old!

Using My Time Wisely...

"MUCH CAN BE DONE IN THOSE LITTLE SHREDS AND PATCHES OF TIME WHICH EVERYDAY PRODUCES, AND WHICH MOST MEN THOW AWAY." ~charles claeb colton

Tomorrow morning, I'll be heading to Windermere Elementary to register Annabelle for kindergarten.  I am a ball of emotions.  I know that she's more than ready and I'm so amazed (daily) with everything she's learning, but I'm also sad thinking that this year has already arrived.  When a baby is born you really look at this year as a far away future time...  You feel like you have so much time with them and at times wish those minutes, hours, days away...  Saying things like, "I can't wait for her to be walking." ~"I can't wait to be totally potty trained." ~ "I can't wait for you to be able to dress yourself...tie your own shoes...take a bath/shower on your own."  This list goes on.  As I know it is my job to teach my children to be independent people who can use the bathroom, bathe, dress themselves and someday become a responsible adult- I still hate when I hear myself saying or even thinking these things.  I blinked and Annabelle is five.  

Yes, I know, there are LONG days (and nights) but when those days have passed I find myself left thinking and wishing there were more days like them...Even the snuggle that feeding a baby in the middle of night can bring.  When they are big ~you long for those little tender moments again.  

There are days when all I can see is a list of tasks.  Those things that make you feel like you're in the movie Groundhog Day.  Laundry, dishes, sweeping, mopping, scrubbing, dusting, cooking, grocery shopping, carpooling...(now go back to the beginning and say it again...over and over and over again.)  Taking the time to just stop- or using those "shreds and patches of time" between those tasks wisely can be tough, especially when you're feeling stretched thin, but it's those moments I'm really trying to focus on more and use more wisely...  Whether it's joining AB in pretend play, coloring or just squeezing her and giving her a kiss.  And picking Aiden up- smiling and talking to him- tossing him into the air or just  kissing on those little baby rolls.

I don't want to throw these shreds and patches of time away...  I want to train myself to cherish them.  Lock them away in that safe little pocket in my heart where they will stay warm and with me forever...