Baby Growing Up

I feel like I'm in a new stage of life right now and sometimes I don't know what to do with myself.  I only have one napper and some days she's good to skip that nap.  I'm not buying diapers anymore, although don't make the assumption that the potty situation here is good-to-go.  Not the case...I'm just determined to quit buying diapers.  My pack-n-play is in the attic, reserved for guests.  This past week I put the booster seat next to it.  My baby will be 3 in  just a couple of short weeks.  This is a first for me.

So last week when my Bender Buddy called me up and invited ALL SIX Fish Sticks over for a quick 2 hour play date after school, I literally didn't know what to say.  My "baby" had her first play day with her Bender Buddy!!  The weather was wonderful and the Fish Sticks couldn't have been happier.  I took this photo as I was driving away.  It's too far away to see my "baby" but she's there, tickled pink to get to play.

So what did I do with myself for 2 hours??  My Man and I went to the bank together and didn't get offered any lollipops.  Then we picked up my vacuum at the shop and then we browsed in our favorite antique, ironworks shop in downtown.  It smells like wonderful potpourri and is 100% filled with "don't touches."  It had been years since we strolled in there and it was refreshing.

Things are changing around here.  Next week we begin the once a month (almost) birthday celebrations of the Fish Sticks where they all hit odd numbers ending with a teenager this summer.  Where does time go?  There's a small side of me that mourns for the passing of baby days, yet I am embracing the independent stage we are entering.  My new motto to add to my kids' list of "Things My Mom Always Says":  With added responsibilities also comes added privileges."  It's a good thing.