Emotional Response to son's birthday

My Baby boy is 3 today and I find myself both happy and weepy. He's such a sweet little guy, but he is growing so fast!!!! I was sitting just holding him and kissing him this morning. He humored me, but soon crawled down in favor of Mickey Mouse Clubhouse. I realized that these days are going to become fewer and further between. I'm happy that he's so happy but find myself a teeny bit sad that my baby is growing up.

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Permalink Reply by Gabriella on March 21, 2009 at 3:29pm: Darline,Happy Birthday to your Little Man!
I know what you mean...But You will have tons and tons of happy moments more.
Happy Birth Giving Day to you also!Gabriella; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Christy on March 22, 2009 at 8:51am: I have three kids, ages 8, almost four and almost two (their birthdays are this month). I have felt what you are describing at every birthday my kids have had for the past eight years. It is a little easier with my third child, easier only in knowing that some of the heavy "work" of parenting (diaper changing, getting them to sleep through the night, weaning off of bottles, etc....potty training, etc....) is almost over and now I can enjoy watching them grow. I had my tubes tied in October though, so this last baby turning two is my last...the last time I will ever see the sweet age of two in one of my own. It is bittersweet. I think what you are going through is very normal, and a sign that you are a good, loving mother. Do something nice for yourself on his birthday...this is a day to celebrate you as a mother, too. And, from what you wrote, you are a good one, and your son is very lucky!!; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Sun Savvy UV Skinz Mom on March 23, 2009 at 6:36am: I feel the same way! I have a three year old and my youngest will be turning two in a few days...I often sit and watch them play, talk, run and think "Awwww, where did my baby go?!" I asked them a while ago if they would stay little for me and never grow big. My 3 year old said, "Nooo, Mommy! I am a big girl!" I told her I know that she has to grow up and she is a big girl, but I wish she would stay little. These years are so precious and I just try to soak it all in every minute of the day. It goes by so quickly! Don't you remember it like yesterday--changing diapers and swaddling your little one in their newborn hospital blanket? This is making me a little sad thinking about it--but I do enjoy seeing my girls grow and learn and try new things. I love that they can wrap their tiny arms around me and give me a tight squeeze--tell me they love me--and then run off to say, "watch this!" and show me each new trick!; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Brooke & Lorri - Z. Daisy on March 23, 2009 at 7:00am: It's definitely a mixed emotion - so happy because it's a celebration of their life, but so sad that they're growing up way too fast!!; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Darline Turner-Lee on March 23, 2009 at 2:12pm: The celebration continues. Went for Burgers and Fries for the birthday dinner. Will have blueberry muffins at preschool tomorrow and a celebration of his life. Made a poster showing some of his favorite things and cried and laughed looking at the photos. He was such a beautiful baby and now a beautiful "big boy". A drumming party on Saturday will cap off the festivities. Oh, to be 3 again!

Thanks for all the well wishes and support. It definitely is a mixed bag. I'm glad to be done with the diapers and bottles, but it is going so fast. Just trying to drink it all in.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Sheila Stokes on March 24, 2009 at 6:43pm: I am the mother of 4 kids and when they were younger it didn't bother me that they were getting older until my youngest was getting ready to start 1st grade. What I didn't understand was I was looking forward to her being in school all day as it would be easier to go to the grocery store and run errands and all that without having to be home an hour so I could pick her up from Kindergarten. I got really sad and depressed and it seemed to come out of no where.

Now my kids are pretty much grown (25, 24, 22 and 20) and now I look forward to the day when they have kids and I can be grandma and get to enjoy the babies again. I love babies.

Three years old is a great age. Take lots of videos and pictures. It is so much fun to see the videos of years past. What we did for my kids graduation parties is take snippets of all the videos we took and put them on one disc and ran it on a TV during the party so everyone could see the graduate from baby to 18. It went over very well. I know you have a long way to go for that though.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Darline Turner-Lee on March 25, 2009 at 3:02pm: Sheila,
I have taken a bunch of pictures for the little guy's B-day. It's fun because this is the first year that He really "gets" it. It's been fun watching him invite all his little friends to his party.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Stacy Watson on March 27, 2009 at 3:53am: Oh thank god I'm not the only one! I have a 5 yr. old and a 4 mth. old and sometimes out of nowhere I get weepy just looking @ them knowing these days won't last forever.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Suzanne on March 28, 2009 at 1:12pm: I sooo understand the happy/sad issue. It is great that your son is thriving and doing well. When my son hit 10, I insisted that _I_ got a present! I mean, raising a boy to be 10 is no easy feat! Gotta focus on the goals and the prize: healthy, happy children that reach adulthood successfully. You are doing good! Keep it up!; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Sarah Salas on March 31, 2009 at 11:35am: Oh don't be too sad-you still have tons of fun ahead of you! My son is 6 and I wouldn't trade that age for anything. He is independent enough for me to be able to focus on having a good time with him without having to worry about diapers and bottles. We can have good conversations and he is super-curious. A lot of the things he asks me I don't know the answers to and we have fun looking it up together and talking about it. I know it's hard to watch them get older, but try to think about all of the fun you still have ahead of you!; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Tonia on March 31, 2009 at 2:10pm: I know how that feels. My son turned 4 in January he used to cuddle, and tell me he loved me all the time but now he is getting older, and they come fewer and fewer....although sometimes out of no where he'll say Mommy I love you, those are some of the best moments of mommy hood.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by TanyaHommes on April 1, 2009 at 5:53am: I remember having these feelings as well and as everyone keeps saying they grow up so quickly is true by my 7 year old still crawls up in my lap to snuggle. She comes in the door from school with a big smile, a loud "HI MOMMA", and a huge hug. I soak up every moment I can with her becasue I know but hope it doesn't go away.; ▶ Reply to This

Emotional Response to son's birthday

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