Missing the baby...

MommyToAshley wrote: I have always felt like Ashley has grown up way too fast.... but, all the trips to the park these past few weeks has been a real eye opener. Ashley is always so much bigger than all the other 2 year olds, not only bigger but she looks older too. It's not just that, but she acts so mature. I think that is my fault because she hasn't really been around a lot of other kids until recently. I think she acts so mature because she is around adults, DH and I, all day long. 99.9% of the other parents we meet at the park think that Ashley is at least 3, but most of the time they think she is around 4 years old. She loves kids and will play with any kid she sees, but she always seems to gravitate towards the older kids. I look at some of the other 2 year olds, and I feel like I missed out on her babyhood... it went by way too fast. Don't get me wrong, I love Ashley and who she is! I just wish she wouldn't grow up so fast. I want her to stay a baby just a little while longer. Maybe I am wrong, and all parents feel this way and it has nothing to do with how big she is or how she acts. I guess I shouldn't have gone back and looked at her baby pictures this morning. Thanks for listening to me ramble.

jem0622 replied: She still is a baby, Mom! It is deceiving when they are on the higher end of the growth percentile. A double edged sword! Glad she is having fun with other kids. Socialization with other peers is key.

DansMom replied: I agree that Ashley looks significantly older than a lot of 2 year olds, but not all of them. I see others like Ashley, and they are girls for the most part, who seem to be bigger and more mature than their age group. I honestly think it's a human type, that it may have less to do with exposure to other kids than just genetics, maybe. Daniel's the opposite---he's physically smaller than a lot of 2 year olds, and his development in most areas is average I'm guessing, with a few areas where he's a bit ahead. In use of language I see so much variety among the two's I meet that it's hard to compare at all. People usually guess that Daniel is less than two! For that reason they babytalk and expect less from him---same thing happened to me growing up, people assuming I'd skipped a grade because I was small.

I can totally relate to missing the baby as you watch them grow so fast though! It's not as dramatic with Daniel, but he's certainly changed a lot over the past year.

kimberley replied: aww i know what you mean. it seems they grow even faster the more you have too . i get wistful looking at the kids' baby pics too... especially since Jade might be my last baby just be proud of that wonderful, smart and beautiful girl you made Now show us some more pics!!!!

TANNER'S MOM replied: Well Dee Dee I still have that feeling quite often.

It seems like they inch away and I guess in reality they do..

But she is beautiful...and don't worry about her being to "mature" she will be just what god wants her to be.

gr33n3y3z replied: I feel the same way
She will fit in just fine no matter who she is around

A&A'smommy replied: awwww DeeDee I think at some point we all feel that way!!! Ashley is SO smart and beautiful you must be really proud of her too!!! (((((HUGS))))

mammag replied: I know exactly what you are feeling. My kids were always smaller but Kristen always acts so mature and many times I will stop and think....how did I miss her turning into a little lady? Then they all started walking sooo early that I felt like I didn't get very long for the cuddly baby phase. Keegan already pushes away some. He doesn't want to be cuddled and it makes me sad. I miss him just laying on my chest....now he has to bounce around and try to crawl up me.

3_call_me_mama replied: She'll always be your baby!

It is especially hard when they look and act older, as a toddler and young child I always acted older than I was, and my mother always says I was never little. She doesn't remember me being little in the sense of needing her adn acting 2, 3 or 4 years old. I was very independant, intelligent fo rmy age and self assured. Much like what you have described Ashley as. I think you have done a great job of making here who she is and her confidance and abilities show that. I know it doesn't comfort you to hear that she is growing up but you have every right to miss the baby and also every right to beam with pride for all the compliments you recieve about her! Jsut remember that in your heart she's still you little girl no matter how big she gets or how old she acts!

kit_kats_mom replied: I feel the same way but K is tiny. She's looking more and more like a little girl though.

Maybe you guys should start thinking of another?

Kaitlin'smom replied: I know what you mean I miss my baby but I so love the peson Kait is becomming. I agree Ashley does not look like a 2 1/2 yr old she is simply amazing. I am just tring to enjoy every moment I can espically when she wants to curl up with me. Cousre he favorite stall tactic at bed time is to love on daddy, and he loves every bit of it even if she is just stalling

My2Beauties replied: Oh Dee Dee Ashley will always be your baby Your post has me teary eyed not just because of Hanna but because of all of our babies, I feel like I have been a part in watching them learn and grow. Hanna knows everything I say now, I mean she cbviously can't carry on a full blown conversation with me yet at 17 months but by golly I promise you she knows what I am saying and can answer me or point to it or do what I say without hesitation. She doesn't want to cuddle anymore unless she's sleepy and she acts so mature for her age too! I think you have done a great job with Ashley and just think of how this will allow her to excel in so many areas of life. But she is still your baby mom nomatter how big she is! Lots of girls mature really fast! I look at Desiree who is 9 and she looks and acts 15! She was 6 when I first met her and was still looking and acting like a little girl, then overnight she turned into this young lady!

Isabelita replied: I know exactly how you feel, even though Daniela is probably smaller than a lot of kids her age. I wouldn't worry about Ashley mixing with older kids. If she is happy about that then that is great. I know how you feel though, I sometimes feel like my daughter is growing up just a little too fast some days