Parenthood is a funny thing. One minute you’re frustrated because your toddler won’t stop jumping on the chair and the next minute you’re weeping thinking about the day she is grown and not there to wreak havoc during meal time anymore. How boring will life be then?
I think I used to be more of a sap. There have been many times I’ve reminisced on different stages of my life and gotten teary, but it doesn’t happen much anymore. Maybe I’m too busy. Maybe I’m just so darn happy. Either way, things generally move along swimmingly around these parts. However, every so often a small milestone will pop up that has me wistfully wondering where the time goes.
Most recently it was Hailey’s first hair cut.
Turning two? No problem. Starting preschool? Sure, that’s a good thing. But getting her hair cut? I needed to sit down with a box of tissues.
Why did a haircut move me so much? I have no idea. Maybe I felt that babies don’t get haircuts and clipping Hailey’s meant that she is truly becoming a little girl. Forget the fact she talks and does somersaults; nope, haircuts clearly define who is a big kid and who isn’t.
I stood and watched her sit still and savor her lollipop while the nice lady put a braid in her hair. My eyes watered and my heart swelled up with pride.
Reminder, this was only a haircut.
Before becoming a mom, I could only imagine the love you have for your child. Knowing my parents loved me fiercely, even through the teen years, told me it was a ridiculously strong love, but having the joy of raising Hailey, I realize it’s indescribable.
During this haircut, it dawned on me that the true joy of parenthood may not be in the grand celebrations. Maybe it’s not the day you meet them, but instead on the third night of no sleep at 2am and still being deliriously happy. Maybe it’s not the elaborate 1st birthday party, but rather the first day they lean in to give you a giant, open mouthed, slobbery kiss on your cheek. Maybe it’s not the first day of preschool, but rather the first time they get 1/2 an inch taken off their hair length.
Or maybe it’s not moments at all, but the journey. The elation you get as a parent watching the world’s most perfect little person learn, grow and thrive and knowing that you get to be part of it. What a blessing.
I soak in the moments the best I can, knowing they are fleeting. I’m also learning I can’t live life if I’m reminiscing all the time, so I savor the moments and snap a few pictures then move on to the next adventure, like the bouncy castle.
Because sweet little girls braids aren’t meant for sitting still. They’re meant for living life, embracing static electricity and flailing about wildly.
Have you ever had a small, seemingly insignificant moment, take you by surprise?
Hanna says
Aw what a sweet post! I got teary when my daughter got her first haircut. It’s not a sad thing but after they cut her hair she looked more like a little girl.
Karen says
Yours is so little and mine is so big. But we are still experiencing life’s firsts with our children.
Lately mine has been teaching him how to budget, live on his own and in two days we will say goodbye when we drop him off at college.
All milestones to remember, no matter what age our children are at.
Meri says
Ok….thanks for making me cry this morning! 🙂 What a sweet post and a good reminder to enjoy the moment!
char eats greens says
Such a sweet, heartfelt post!! The wetter, more open mouthed kiss from Nia, the better! It really is so true on indescribable it is once you’re a parent. You just don’t know, until you’re there!!
Parita says
This post reminds me of the kinds of things my mom remembers about us when we were growing up! So sweet. Honestly, the small, love filled moments are what I’m looking forward to when it comes to parenthood. Can’t wait (I can actually but you know what I mean)! 🙂
Christine @ Gotta Eat Green says
What a beautiful post :). I had a smile on my face while reading this because a) your daughter is the cutest and b) you sound like such an amazing mom!
Karen says
Aww, such a sweet, sweet post!! Love Hailey’s hair-do!! I think when Keely gets her first haircut, I will be crying like a fool. 🙂
Christina says
This weekend my daughter and I took a road trip three hours north to visit my parents, and on the drive home Sunday night, I cried for a good 20 minutes – I was just so emotional over seeing my parents’ love for their granddaughter, and the joy she brings them. I’m sure others on the interstate wondered who the crazy lady was, sobbing behind the steering wheel 🙂
chelsey @ clean eating chelsey says
awww – she’s too cute. First haircuts are hard.. mainly bc that’s kind of the last thing about them being a baby. They were born with that hair on their head! 🙂 Such a sweet post.
Michelle says
So sweet! I totally put off Livie getting her haircut until she was 4 because I was in such denial that she wasn’t my baby anymore.
I’m having SUCH a hard time right now with the fact that my littlest is my last and therefore I’m experiencing the last “baby moments” with my own kids. It’s so much harder than I thought it would be!! I totally get why the youngest is “the baby.” I love every single second, and trying to enjoy every moment – they just come and go so quickly.
Katie says
Yeah for some reason the first haircut didn’t get me as much as some of the others, but Adam and I looked at Kheri the other day and both could not believe how big and independent she has gotten, I’m not really sure where the last year has gone, I feel like we were just celebrating her first birthday. The other day we were driving and all of sudden we had to stop our conversation because we heard her singing “Jesus Loves Me” all by herself. I literally started crying right then and there, sometimes it is just the sweet little things that get to me, the things we do or say all the time that you don’t know they are picking up on! 🙂
Ali says
That was such a sweet post! I agree totally. It’s definitely the little things that make up the biggest moments. My 6 month old is starting to reach for me when he sees me and it melts my heart!
Ashley @ My Food N Fitness Diaries says
Gahhh this is making me cry. Only because I can relate SO well. Motherhood truly is the best thing ever, and like you said, it’s just an indescribable love. 🙂
nicole @ making good choices says
such a sweet sweet post. I may have shed a couple tears. I’m right there with you.
Maria says
I think there are times in life where we are expected to be sentimental about certain milestones such as weddings, funeral, births. So it’s the little moments that completely blindslide us that seem to have a big impact because they aren’t expected. Like when Pandora plays a song that my husband and I used to sing to each other in college…or when I hear someone say my grandmother’s favorite Southern sayings. They sort of take you by surprise and that’s why I love them 🙂
She’s growing up in your mind, but she’s still a little munchkin! And they make kids salons? Amazing.
Sarah says
I hear you on the fierceness and depth of mother love. It still seems weird to me that other people love their children as much as I love mine- it feel impossible. I gave my son his first hair cut at home and I cried too.
Jodi says
Well, we are hoping Avery has hair by kindergarten… So I will get back to you on my haircut sentiment in a couple years!! 🙂 one blindsided moment for me was when the owners of Avery’s daycare took me aside one day when she was about 10 months old to tell me she was moving out of the baby room to the next class room. I started crying right there in the hallway bc that’s meant she wasn’t a baby anymore… She let me know very gently, so i am assuming they are used to that. Or maybe they just pegged me for a cryer…Yup, I am that mom. Oh well
Danica @ It's Progression says
This is such a sweet, sweet post…
I, too, can only imagine what that feeling of being a mom is like!
Heather Murphy says
I hardly ever cried about anything pre- baby. After my son was born the tears flowed abundantly! Today was his first day in his new toddler class at Mothers Day Out and it was so hard!
Giselle@myhealthyhappyhome says
Awe, so sweet! I definitely agree it’s the little moments that matter so much more than the big milestones. We’ve had some great ones that I can vividly remember and hope they never fade. The first time my son out of the blue said, “I love you mama.” Or when he over-joyously ran up to the gate when I picked him up at daycare. Most recently when I asked him who his best friend was he said, “You are mama!” Melts my heart 🙂
Lisa says
This was such a sweet post, I loved every part of it.
Being a Mom must be the most unique, unexplainable, yet amazing experience ever! It’s definitely the most important job out there.
I always look for the little things in life that add to those really special moments.
Alison @ Daily Moves and Grooves says
This is such a heart-warming post! I’ve heard that the first haircut can be so hard because it’s like they’re cutting off the hair that has been on her head since she was born. Little things in life are always the ones that make me the most emotional, especially when it comes to family. I totally agree that it is the journey!
John J. says
Terrific heart felt blog that only a parent can truly understand. Spoken as one who “fiercely” continues to love his two wonderful children (adults).
Heather @ Fit Mama Real Food says
So much love and sweetness in this post. Savor every moment mama 🙂
Erin G. @ Treats and Sneaks says
I remember when I was packing up and leaving for college my mom didn’t cry at all…until I pet my childhood cat one last time before leaving the house. We both laughed about it because it was more than silly that she cried about me petting my cat rather than crying when I hugged her goodbye 🙂
bonnie says
ahh such memories are what makes us good loving parents….
I got a bit teary just remembering those moments. I cry at everything, must just have leaky tear ducts lol ! My adult kids & 2 yr old grand daughter stayed over last weekend. We had a wonderful time, swimming in the pool, chasing the baby, watching the baby chase my puppy… It was one of those wonderful days that I will always remember as just being wonderful, like those Kodak moments, frozen in a picture (maybe you are too young for the reference, so google it lol) Then everyone packed up & left… I cried as their car left my driveway….it was so quiet all of a sudden.
I love when they come visit & love the quiet when they leave but still cant help shedding a tear or two…. as my independent kids go back to their lives. My hubby & I raised such good kids !!
Brittany Dixon says
Your comment made me smile! That’s how I feel when I get to visit my parents. It’s so much fun with all the noise and laughter, then it’s always a little sad when we part ways. How lucky we are to have families we love so much! Thanks for your comment 🙂
Neil Butterfield says
Milestones are the realization that your child is growing up. It also means that we as parents are getting older. A double whammy :-()
Leah says
What a beautiful post! It has me in tears just thinking about all the little special moments. I’m feeling sentimental these days as I prepare to send my oldest off to kindergarten and my youngest to preschool next week. In a blink of an eye, my babies have grown up.
Oh and btw, I have yet to get my daughter her first hair cut at nearly 3. I don’t want to cut those baby curls off!