I just realized my baby isn't a baby anymore! =(

[Terri_A]

I just went and turned in an application for DD to be tested for a special program for Kindergarten for next fall. I talked to the program coordinator for a few minutes to make sure I had turned in all the necessary paperwork and then went out to my car and cried! :eek: It just sort of hit me that she's my only child and is the only one I'll ever have and she's growing so fast right before my eyes. I know that come fall it'll be worse, but I was just surprised at how hard it hit me today!

[dixie]

When my youngest was getting ready for kindergarten I had a much harder time during the preliminaries than the actual first day of school. I remember when we took the tour and got to the cafeteria for lunch I had such a lump in my throat I couldn't eat or talk or anything...I just wanted to go home so I could just squall! But then, by the first day of school several months later, he was so excited, I was just excited for him...and I had a big brunch that day for a bunch of moms to celebrate the first day of school.

[Ann1965]

I have an only child also. It seems like just yesterday I could hold his entire behind in my hand. Now he's almost as tall as me and his feet are bigger than mine. Time certainly does fly!

[BucknellAlum]

It is always hard for me when milestones pass. I unexpectedly burst into tears when we held a garage sale, after I sold the last baby item to an expectant grandfather. As he drove away with my portable high chair, I just started crying with no warning!

This year, 9YO DD does not believe in Santa any more. She asked point blank about him over the summer. Both times I asked, "so you really want to know the answer?" The first time she said No, the second time she said Yes. After we talked, she said, "thank you for telling me the truth!"

Fast forward to yesterday at the mall. . .she saw Santa and the line of kids and said she didn't want to go see him this year, even for a picture. I never anticipated that last year would be my last Santa opportunity!! I can still "force" the kids to go and have a photo, but it will never be the same to me. You can't unring that bell. . .

[DmOrtega]

Although it can be sad to see the end of a phase in your childs life, it can also be very exciting to enter into the new phase. You are blessed.

[Goin' Coastal]

I had one of those moments this week, too. A friend I haven't seen in over 20 years sent me a picture of her first grandchild. We used to teach school together and carpooled almost an hour each way. Now we keep up with cards at the holidays and email forwards (! :eek: ) The last year I taught we were both pregnant and had our babies just a month or so apart. I looked at the picture of her son and grandchild and wondered where the years went. It just doesn't seem that long ago we were having OUR babies.

[GingerPow]

I think reactions like these are healthy. When you appreciate this child you've been blessed with, these moments of realization are natural and do tend to make us tear up. In our hearts they will always be our babies, but milestones like kindergarten wake us up to the fact that they're not babies anymore. Lucky kids to have moms who adore them so!

[Terri_A]

Thanks guys - for understanding and letting me have a moment.