Why You Should Cherish the Baby Stage

Ok, I have baby fever. I think I diagnosed myself during a trip to Target, when I lingered way too long as I passed the baby section. With a 2 year old and a 4 year old, we are out of the “baby stage,” though I know that the stage we’re in with them now is going to be fleeting as well. Sure, my toddler is still in diapers… but she’s still getting so big each day! Sigh….

Babies are fantastic. Their tiny little yawns, those cute hands, and don’t you just love that newborn smell? Even though it may seem like you have months ahead of you, time does fly by. I know everyone says that, but trust me – it does fly. Even if it’s hard with your newborn (and let’s be honest – a lot of it is really hard), take a moment to breath it all in. It may sound crazy, but in the years to come you will look back fondly on those sleepless nights, the long nursing sessions, and their cute little newborn cries.

Here are my top ten reasons to cherish these days –

10. Babies stay put. Soon enough you will be running around the house, chasing the child who just ran off with your package of tampons and is laughing hysterically. Or perhaps you think that your kid is sleeping, but in reality they just broke into your makeup and are using your eyeliner as a crayon.

9. Infants let you dress them. I remember just waiting for my baby to nuke her onesie, in hopes that I could justify another outfit change! With all those tiny little clothes, it’s fun to dress them. Now that my kids are old enough to want to pick out their own clothes, it’s out of my hands. Of course the good part about this is the entertainment we get out of seeing their choices. Sometimes I’m amazed at what a good job my older daughter does of picking out her outfit… and other times I just have to laugh at the church dress/rain boot/winter hat combo she has chosen.

8. You can take a baby to a lot of places. Unless your infant cries all the time or hates his car seat, little babies are very portable. Grocery shopping is easy, dinners at restaurants are simple enough, and going over to your friends’ house is a piece of cake. If you’re nursing exclusively, you never have to worry about bringing food along for your kid, or having to order a kid’s meal. I used to take my first child out all the time, and I’d sit and read for an hour or two at the local coffee shop while she napped in her infant seat.

7. The “ick factor” is lower for babies. Somewhere along the way, your precious little infant will become a kid who is able to really gross you out. My daughters used to spit up on me or have a diaper blow out in my lap, and it didn’t phase me. I don’t know exactly when that changed, but these days I’m not so tolerant. There is a certain magic about babies that prevents parents from gagging too much about body functions. This isn’t the same once they become “kids.”

6. You can cover a baby with kisses, and they can’t do a darn thing about it. Enjoy cuddling with someone who doesn’t argue with you or try to convince you to hold their pet snake. Older kids are fantastic to cuddle with as well – it’s just not the same. There is nothing like a bear hug from a 4 year old – and nothing like cuddling a 4 month old. Both are fleeting. Cherish the moments.

5. Less censorship. We have to spell out so much when we don’t want our kids to understand who or what we’re talking about. You have to watch what sort of music you listen to, what is on the TV, and answer twenty questions if you walk by Victoria’s Secret in the mall. Babies are so oblivious to things like that. When your kids reach a certain age, it’s like a whole new sense awakens in you, and you have to have radar for offensive or questionable stuff.

4. Babies smell ridiculously good. Cherish that. The coming years will be filled with very, very different smells coming from your children.

3. Strangers are so nice to people with babies. Sweet old ladies come up to you to see your baby, men hold the doors for you, and strangers smile at you.

2. Babies bring out your inner goofball, which is healthy. How often can you justify making those little high pitched voices that say, “You love your mommy, oh yes you do! Oh yes you do!!!” Something about babies brings out the softy in us all, and it’s nice to have that come out.

1. Above everything else, you should cherish this time because this is the only time they will be little. This is as little as they will ever be, so take it all in. Time only moves forward, and you should cherish these days because they are just that – days. In about five minutes you’ll look around and realize your baby is walking. Then they’ll be running. So go and give your infant a hug – and breathe in that sweet baby smell!

- Grace

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4. Introducing Your Baby to Your Pet
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