Tales of parenting moments gone by (almost)

What parenting moments are over for you? And how do you see them now, when you look back? What do you miss?

These are the questions being asked by The Busy Mamas for her brand new linky, so I got thinking.

I thought about some tangible stages that have finished for good; the milestones that made me teary when they came around – the end of maternity leave, dismantling the cot, finishing breastfeeding. Because my baby is my last baby, there was a certain amount of sadness at each of these points – knowing that it was “the last time ever”. But while I was a bit blue at each ending, we’ve all moved on. The little boy now sleeps quite well in his new bed, he doesn’t miss breastfeeding, and back-to-work is now just work.

I thought about some stages I won’t miss – hours of pointless rocking during failed attempts to convince babies to nap, hacking dried in Weetabix off the high chair, and sleep deprivation. Oh, and my first proper night out after my eldest was born, with the too-late realisation that babies don’t understand hangovers.

So what would my wistful parenting moment be? I think it’s feet. Baby feet. Not so much a stage that’s gone by, but one that’s definitely slipping away, no matter how hard I try to hold on. Holding on metaphorically and physically – I can’t stop touching those gorgeous, still-small, still-chubby baby feet.

It’s ironic that a body part that is so delicious when attached to a baby, turns into something not quite as delectable when attached to an adult. So, you have to live in the now when it comes to feet. Kissing them won’t always be as irresistible as it is today.

There’s the newborn foot; the marvelling that the new baby is so perfect and so complete, with ten tiny fingers and ten tiny toes. The small, narrow, wrinkly foot, curved and arced; excess skin just waiting to be filled.  And so begins the I-want-to-eat-your-toes love affair. The fat builds up and the skin is no longer loose. Toes stay small and wriggly, feet grow sturdier. They become almost square-shaped; as wide as they are long, around the time they are used for those first faltering steps. And more kissable than ever. A toddler’s foot is utterly edible – still chubby, soft, smooth, somehow always clean. So kissable. At every opportunity. A nappy change is a chance for some foot-cuddling. Getting dried after a bath is even better. Then there’s the happy fact that the toddler in my house likes taking off his shoes and socks throughout the day for no reason whatsoever. More kissing and snuggling and tickling opportunities. And I’m holding on. My baby’s feet are still baby feet, but they’re changing every day. I have a five-year-old with dainty, little-girl feet, and a six-year-old with almost-teenager feet. But my baby is still my baby and his feet are still mine to hold. I’m not ready to let go.

office mum post: photo of baby foot

 

Check out the Busy Mama’s linky to see what everyone else is missing: Office Mum post: linky logo

 

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15 thoughts on “Tales of parenting moments gone by (almost)”

  1. Ohhhh, that’s so gorgeous, they really do have such gorgeous feet. When my second ended up in a full body cast due to hip dysplasia the hardest part for me initially was that it covered most if her feet and she LOVED having her feet kissed…I had forgotten that and am smiling at the memory……so thank you xx
    Elizabeth MacDonnell recently posted…Lemon Drizzle CakeMy Profile

  2. With you on hanging on to the baby feet. The first bittersweet passing was the cross leggedness from being squished up inside. I would continually lift her up just to see them. “Look! Look!” That eventually started to grate on her Da after the 50 millioneth time.

    1. Oh yes the cross leggedness! I forgot all about it but yes I loved it at the time – I hadn’t realised that it is now gone in our house but it is…

  3. Agreed 100% socks when you are pregnant and feet for twelve months after. I love watching a baby put their own toe in their mouth, and as you say, there is nothing good about seeing an adult do the same. I love it.
    At the moment we are waiting for a friends new born to come home from hospital, we cant wait for a go of him. Love the picture of the feet.
    tric recently posted…The end of an era.My Profile

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