As a young, first time mother, I had a difficult adjustment. I loved being his mother, loved my baby more than anything...but I had been going, going, going for months, trying to finish up my Bachelors degree before he was born. I found myself feeling trapped at home. It was winter, cold, the time we tell all the mothers to STAY HOME with their children. I couldn't, even though I knew better. I needed to be out and about. I was careful to protect my baby, and thankfully he never got sick. However, I learned something...I loved to be out and about with my baby. Kyle made it easy...from infanthood, he loved being out as well. He was so easy, never cried, enjoyed the stroller, and even as he got older into toddlerhood he would sit and play with his toys or charm the salespeople while I shopped endlessly. Alec was the same as an infant...he wasn't content at home, but loved to be out in the stroller. That all changed for Alec when he learned to walk. Suddenly, outings became trauma. Tantrums when I wouldn't let him walk. Tantrums when I put him back in the stroller because he ran off. More toys tossed in temper than I had ever experienced before. I learned quickly that shopping was not pleasant with my 2nd son, and avoided taking him whenever possible. (Thankfully, he did outgrow this around 3 years old, and became fun to take with me again).
I was really happy when Talia was born, and with the exception of 1 trip to the mall when she was 5 weeks old (she screamed for an hour), she has been an angel on most shopping trips. I love this solo time out and about with my kids. I've been so excited for our date today....
I took my baby down to the Gateway to Build a Bear today. I wanted her to make a bear for her birthday, and I wanted to make a bear for myself. After all, I have 3 children, and all of them reach significant milestones this year (age 3-preschool, age 8-Baptism, and age 12-Deacon) and it really is the end of my "young mother" years. I will be 34 in May, and although that's not old in any way, it's not the young 22 I was when I became a mother for the first time.. I've wanted to make a Build a Bear for myself since forever, and now I had a good reason...to remind me. Remind me of the wonderful years of baby, infant, and toddlers that are quickly falling behind me.
Talia's first choice
Talia's second choice
Third choice
Final choice (I didn't get pictures of ALL the in between choices...she spent about 15 minutes choosing and changing her mind)
My choice
I was drawn to this bear first because of the "tie-dye" look...I would have gotten something different if Talia had wanted it, but I couldn't convince her to choose it...but what made my final decision was the cute heart shaped nose...:)
Stuffing time
Talia puts the heart inside her Puppy
(My bear has 3 hearts...one for each of my amazing children!)
"Shower" time...
(Talia was afraid of the noise of the air, she refused to get anywhere near the shower table for a picture, but insisted that they needed showers...silly girl!)
Our helper helped Talia dress her bear while I manned the camera..
All Dressed!
After the fun at Build a Bear, we grabbed lunch at the food court (McDonalds, of course, she IS a toddler!) and then in our wanderings I got lucky with these cute shoes!
It's bittersweet to see the years of parenting young children behind me. However, as Talia's 3rd birthday approaches, I find myself looking forward to all the new milestones all 3 of my children will be achieving in the next few years. I think it's going to be OK. I'm pretty blessed.
2 comments:
What a fun date. Still want to do that with Peyton!
The time goes by so fast, but what neat things you have to look forward to this year.
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