Enjoy It While It Lasts.

"Enjoy it while it lasts because they grow up so fast."

I can't tell you how many times I've heard that phrase in the last year and a half. It's always been expressed with kindness and good intentions to try to help a fellow mama out, no doubt about it.

But whenever I'd heard that phrase in the beginning of my sweet girl's life, I would always just chuckle and respond with something along the lines of "that's what they tell me" or "I'm sure it does". 

In a lot of ways, I almost started to resent that phrase. Not because it didn't ring true but because I was in denial. 

I didn't want to admit that I already felt like my baby girl wasn't as dependent upon me. I already felt that she was this big girl rather than that sweet babe I brought home from the hospital. I already knew she was learning more things than I was ready for her to learn. I already knew my little girl was in the process of growing up to be a big girl.

All I wanted was to just keep her small and enjoy these moments a little more.

In the grand scheme of things, I'm still starting out. While my little girl is fast approaching her first birthday, I still feel like I didn't soak up all that I could in her early months of her life. 

However, I've been able to reflect on the past year the past couple of days. I'm filled with joy in seeing all the things my girl has been able to achieve. From her first smiles and giggles to her full body laughs. From the struggles of trying to turn over to now being able to stand unassisted.

All of these moments are not only her successes and joys but they are also mine. 

Every night, I lay in bed next to my husband and we look at our sweet girl on the baby monitor and through the pictures that were taken that day. We try to soak up and enjoy these moments because I know my sweet girl is growing up faster than I like.

I know that one day she'll be independent from me and while it makes me sad, it brings me joy in knowing I've had these tender days while she is young to find joy in her smiles, her laughs, her cuddles, and just her every being.

So the next time I hear someone say "enjoy it while it lasts because they grow up so fast", you better believe me when I say that I am.