Over the weekend, we celebrated the twins’ third (!) birthday. It seems like just yesterday, I was breaking the (surprising) news to you all. Did you know that’s still the post people tell me they love best? :)
I don’t have “baby fever” but there’s something about realizing these are the youngest babies I’ll ever have. . . This is the longest period since 2004 that I’ve gone without having a new baby, and I can definitely feel “the shift” in our family. We’re leaving babyhood behind and moving on.
Certainly, there are parts I’m not sad to say goodbye to: the baby equipment that takes over your house, buying diapers, watching every move they make (we’re getting closer!). But, there’s also the knowing that I’m done holding (my very own) sweet little bundle and smelling that wonderful mixture of baby lotion and spit-up when I kiss their neck. (Okay, maybe I do have problem. . .)
On the bright side, I’m good with not being the nervous, new mom anymore. I’m no longer the youngest mom in the group. In fact, I could even be the mother of some of the mothers in my kindergartner’s class this year. (Yikes.) But, with experience comes a little more confidence in making decisions and the ability to chill out—about some things. I’m over trying to dress them a certain way, or signing them up for 43 activities, or planning birthday parties weeks in advance. It’s one day at a time, just trying to step back and see the big picture, while savoring the happy moments amid the ones that make me want to pull my hair out.
New mommas, hang in there. Follow your gut and be your own person. You can do this—and the shift will come soon enough.
I discovered your blog after the twins were born but I looked through your archives and I thought your story was wonderful! As a mom of two singles, I think finding out you’re having twins must be amazing! Mine youngest is in 1st grade and I’ve had a tougher time with transitions than I ever thought I would! I drove past his preschool every day after he started kindergarten and I felt so sentimental about it, if not a little sad. I felt like I was leaving that life of a “preschool mom” forever! I’m no longer a mom of little kids, sniff. Enjoy those cuties, Emily!
Happy birthday to the twins!! It’s hard to believe that it has been three years already… I started reading your blog not long before they were born. :)
Happy Birthday to your babies! I remember reading your post announcing them, and thinking how very shocking (and exciting!) that it would be to go from a family of 5 to a family of 7 over night! Yikes! But then a little over a year ago I learned that my 4th pregnancy was twins, and we would be going from a family of 5 to 7 also! Craziness! My babies are now 8 months old. Thanks for sharing a little bit of your life with us, it gives me hope! =)
they are so cute!! That post is one of my favorites. I related to it so much when told my husband twins were coming for us too.
This post brings me back many years – I have 3 girls each 5 years apart (God’s plan not ours!). I always said with the first I was the youngest, with the second somewhat average and with the youngest, I was and am the definite oldest. Strange planning weddings and college tours at the same time. You will do great and sadly it will be over before you know it..
Enjoy the shift. I confess that any post with the kids has always been my favorite on your blog. It’s been so sweet watching them grow :)
My youngest just turned one. After the first 14 weeks, which were unspeakable, he did a 180 and turned into the best baby ever. Like 10 hr road trip and no crying…puts himself to sleep in crib OR packnplay…it was like seeing a unicorn. There was no question that he was the final baby up until that point, and then the “Oh, lets have another” started creeping in! I making my peace with stopping the baby train, but knowing he is the last adds such a bittersweet note to the sweet moments and little milestones.
My baby girl (baby #6) turned one last week, and I’m starting to feel “the shift” too. I’m still hoping one day we’ll be able to adopt a couple of more kiddos, but she may very well be my last baby and it’s been hard for me to let go of that. It will be nice to pass all the baby gear on to a new young mom, but it’s definitely bittersweet.
My “baby” turned 13 this weekend. My oldest is getting ready to begin his senior year in high school and to start applying to colleges. Ugh! I have to admit, I admit missing having a baby in the house. Truly, though, I don’t have the energy to have little, tiny ones anymore. I guess it’s all a mixed blessing. It goes fast, Emily. Savor each and every moment. I enjoyed this post.
Best,
Michelle from simplysantabarbara.blogspot.com
I discovered your blog quite a while ago, and I remember the post about when you found out you were having twins! I’m a fairly new mom and we are expecting our 2nd in the fall, and all I can say is that I cannot even begin to imagine what life would be like no longer in the baby stage. It sounds so appealing now, but I know when the time comes I will miss it dearly.
Happy Birthday! To the kiddos. Thanks for your words of wisdom. Always helpful, always hit home, always make me smile.
The shift is a great way to describe it. I can’t believe they are 3 already either. I started following you about the time you announced your pregnancy with them. It’s been fun to see them grow. About a year ago…we shifted into empty nest hood…new word…might catch on! ;)
I remember that post! Can’t believe they are 3! Enjoy the ‘shift’ – the first of many!!! Our recent ‘shifts’ include driver’s licenses and college visits!
xo~Jill
That just makes my heart hurt to think about :(
Awww. Happy birthday to the twins! My oldest just turned 7 a couple weeks ago, so we’ve also been in birthday mode. I found your blog after the BHG article, but I do love looking back. What a sweet post when you shared the news. Your faces say it all. :) I too wonder about such what-ifs if I can get my husband on board for a fourth baby. ( Our baby will be 18 months on the 9th.) :) Love seeing your posts about the kids/kids’ stuff! It’s so much easier to relate to you as so many other design bloggers seem to have fewer kids, older kids, bigger budgets, bigger houses, etc. Thanks for that!
Been reading your blog forever….fellow KY girl here….my #6, turned 3 in February. I fear baby fever will never go away, but alas my hubby was done. It’s so nice to be done with the things you mentioned (diapers, baby toys, etc.) but bitter sweet. My “baby” is still in the crib…..shhhhhhhh….he doesn’t know that he’s “too big”…..I’m milking this last piece of having a baby for as long as I can!
Lucky girl! Ours climbed over the rail at 15 months :( Way sooner than I was ready for…
He’s funny – he climbs INTO the crib at night, but has yet to figure out that he can climb out. HA!!
How’d you know I needed to read this today? My girl is about to turn 5…months! haha I’m still in that baby phase and loving it! Although…it is quite hard. Thanks for the encouragement Emily! Your twins are A-dorable.
So true! Happy Birthday to your cuties!
Oh Emily, I have experienced the same exact emotions over the past two years! My youngest of five children, who were all born within 9 years, was no longer a “baby.” I couldn’t understand why I was happy to have a clutter-free space and a little one who could eat and drink what I do, yet be so sad to say goodbye to that chapter! It does not get easier, but you can appreciate every little smile and hand-holding moment that is left!
I love this. Happy Birthday to the twins! I remember reading your announcement and the picture of you and your husband with a shocked look on your face. I am currently 36 weeks pregnant with twin girls! At this point, I’m in pain, it hurts to walk, move, or roll over in bed. I keep thinking surely they will come today…..My husband and I adopted our first two, as we were told we would never conceive, so these twins are certainly a surprise to us! I myself am a twin–so it does run in the genes. My current youngest, until the twins arrive, is finishing her last day of Kindergarten tomorrow! My heart aches a bit, even though I have two babies on the way any moment, it’s hard to watch each one grow. She’s soon to be a first grader AND now a big sister. Something we never expected her to be! So, as an old momma with a 6 and 9 year old…but soon to be new momma again to twins that has be completely terrified to be honest, I appreciate your encouragement today!
What lovely post.
I am a Mom of 5 grown up children. Some of the best years are ahead! It is a blast to have a house full of teens and that is what I miss most with them all gone. And then of course there are the grandchildren but that is a long way off yet for you.
I love to hear you say that :) Everybody tells me how dreadful the teenage years are but I’m hoping they’ll actually be fun…
Love. This. thank you. In the trenches, looking forward to the shift.
Oh, this post tugs at my heart strings! What a wonderful way to put it! It is tough knowing your family is growing up. And when I see little newborns, I feel sad that mine are now elementary school age and we are past that. I can’t believe the twins are already three! Happy birthday! Wow, time does fly by!! :)
It’s funny how I’ve shifted the opposite direction. I am a new mom again at 40. That is after having my last one 10 years ago, I thought I had nailed and zoomed thru the ‘shift’ your going thru right now, very well. Then, lo and behold, last year, the biggest surprise ever, and lucky for us, we had our much awaited baby girl (we had 2 boys before, my oldest being 14 now) and I am so excited to face this new shift with less qualms and fears than before (I guess the age does matter ;-))! So CHEERS to you and me and all the moms out there, whatever ‘shift’ their at, I’m sure it will be a joyful and fulfilling ride in the end!