He Stands

Sweetie, where is the fire? Who told you that you had to move so damn fast? Slow down baby boy, and take your time.

Too late. Julian is fast tracking to toddler hood. With five teeth, the ability to crawl across a room in record time, a love for finger foods and now his newly acquired skill of pulling up to stand, we are quickly leaving the infant phase in the dust. He is just days from his nine month birthday. It's happening too quickly.

Evan did not even crawl until eleven months. I was hoping for a longer "potted plant" period. That lovely time where you can set the baby down in front of a pile of toys and know that he won't budge. Julian skipped that phase entirely. We must watch Ju Ju Bean like a hawk. He knows what he wants and he knows how to get it. Unfortunately what he wants is usually not a brightly colored Fischer Price baby toy, but a penny, paper clip or some other inappropriate sharp object.

Julian is perpetually covered in dirt and dog hair, a constant reminder of how I am failing as June Cleaver. We are a filthy family. But worse, my baby, my very last baby is....growing up. While I know in my mind that that this is inevitable, my heart is screaming NOT SO FAST! This is it. Last. Baby. Ever. While I could not help but beam as Julian pulled his tiny little legs into a standing position for the first time, I was also painfully aware that with every one of his accomplishments we are leaving an era behind. The era of parenting babies. Just as surely as my laugh lines are appearing my kids are growing up. I'm 37. I have three kids. I am not having any more babies. There is nothing to do but move forward and face the future.