Beautiful…crying…
I already think about those days and I have a 4 year old and a 1 year old. I just want them to stay little, but I look forward and I have enjoyed each stage as my girls have grown. I guess it has and will always be this way for mothers.
Thanks for your beautiful words today.
Oh, we made a thankful tree out of found branches and it makes me so happy…and thankful!

Hi sweet Emily!

Let me just say i so understand how you feel and let me also tell you as a mom of a 13 year old boy – my first born – he does change but the sweetness and love and relationship only gets better! When I started noticing him changing and needing more independance and letting go of certain ways – just took a deep breath and let him lead me into what he needed from me – the hugs and and good night kisses NEVER changed – i learned to watch what he was liking and listening to (music wise) and created a common ground there – respecting him all the while making our mother son relationship matter and grow. He STILL hugs me good night and kisses my cheek as he gets out of the car in the morning – i melt – i am blessed.

I think that we we recognize our kids are changing and we slowing let go of the phase they are growing out of and embrace the one they are entering (even if we aren’t sure we like it) it makes the relationship stronger – we need to let them grow and if we dont and want to keep them in that “box” that’s when i think they want to pull away more – does that make any sense?

I so understand your feelings – i love watching my son grow up and some days i long for the time he was a sweet 6 month old that i could carry around and blow on his tummy! )

have a great day!
xoxoTiffany

This week my 16-month-old daughter went from calling me and my husband “mama” and “dada” to calling us “mommy” and “daddy.” It’s definitely bittersweet. I had kind of hoped that she’d call me mama forever.

I know…my oldest son is ELEVEN! I wish I had the best advice to give you, but the only thing I can say is gobble every bit of him up. This is the only complaint that I have about my children…they grow too fast and it’s not fair. I’m a big ol’ blat baby when it comes to the idea of my kids growing up. When I fall asleep at night (while nursing my 4 month old son), right after I thank God for EVERYTHING, I torture myself by calculating the amount of time that I have left as “Mommy”. Yes, my time to be”Mom” has come as well (with my oldest). It breaks my heart. Nothing could have prepared me for the moment this summer when he earned privileges to ride his bike around the neighborhood on his own…I stayed on the front steps well after he disappeared around the corner…

that’s the worst and best part of being a mom: watching them grow up. You want them to, but you don’t.

such a sweet little guy!

(and um, the picture of you with the baby, I swore I thought that was taken recently. you never age, do you?)

Your post made me tear up! So amazingly sweet. You’re a great Mom already!!

I don’t have words to the mix of feelings I had once reading your post, it’s so SWEET how a baby can change your world, and I totally get how you’d always want him to be your baby.
I am currently TTC, and this totally made me feel that I have gone the right path (after so much thinking abt it). Thank You for sharing this.

i just cried through this post.. i completely understand. my first born is an Ethan too. he’ll be 12 in two weeks and oh, how i miss my sweet baby & active toddler. there are definitely no more kisses in the drop off line at school BUT, an occasional hug by the locker or on the football field is okay. i will take whatever he is willing to give. at home, it’s a different story….he still desires to cuddle and tells me all about his day. so, for that i am a grateful mom! now, more than ever, i am on my knees praying for his heart and the choices he makes. thank you for a wonderful reminder today of how important our role as “mommy” will always be.

wow, this made me tear up a little. my girl is only 19 months, and her ‘mama’ is just about the most beautiful thing i have ever heard. it will definitely be difficult to be ‘mom.’

Wow, you had me tearing up on this one. I feel the same way about my oldest. She is so much older and more mature than other 5 year-0lds (that’s what happens when you are the oldest of 4) and yet she is still so innocent and pure. I love these younger years when they still try hard to please and relish the “mommy” relationship.

Emily,

Thank you so much for sharing. Your post brought tears to my eyes. Your son is so precious! I have a 4 year old son who amazes me every day. He still calls me mommy but occationally he slips in a “mom”. I say , “my name is mommy” because, like you, I am not quite ready to let go of my baby boy. I know that mom is in my future but no matter what name I am called he will always be my baby and I will always be his mommy. This is one of many things you don’t understand until you are a parent.

awwww that was totally like reading a little book…… you should publish that as a book! you have a wonderful talent for writing and expressing your thoughts and feelings. had to try to hold back a tear! that was really sweet to read and it is so so so so so true. your son is adorable.

Oh the tears…they are flowing. I soooo get this post! My oldest is only 4. I’m in big trouble!

So sweet. And so true.

I feel the same about my oldest who is pushing 8 as well.

What happened to “mother”?

I know this feeling all too well! I have 3 daughters (11,9,6) and the youngest is the only one that still calls me mommy … it brings a smile to my face every time I hear it. Last night I heard my oldest say “good night daddy” and it took me back to when she was just a little girl! I almost cried to hear her call her dad “daddy”! You are entering such an exciting new phase in life … embrace it!

Maybe it’s because I’m pregnant with baby 2…I am definitely misty eyed reading your post today! What a sweet reminder of how time flies and how those mommy feelings never go away.

Totally made me cry… your words are truer than true for most mommies/moms/mamas!!! Thank you for posting such amazing thoughts and sharing your family, and gifts with us!!!

Always – Abbey

How sweet! I have 3 boys, aged 11, 8 and 3 1/2 and my littlest one already insists on calling me “Mom!” I do really miss being called “Mommy.”

You very well could have been writing my own story a few years ago. My Ethan is now a big 11 year old. He stopped saying I love you a few years ago and I thought I would never hear those sweet words again. But, like all things it was a phase and now my big boy will say I love you too mom instead of O.K. or I know! I’m with you, I loved the baby and toddler boy phases but, now my Ethan is growing into a young man and I must admit he melts my heart just as much.

I know, I want to bottle up my 3 boys at each age. You know that book called I’ll Love You Forever? I read that too my boys the other night, my oldest (9) decided to leave the room- he’s heard it before….sigh. Meanwhile I cry whenever I read it.

I CRIED while reading your post at a stop light today. I have no one to call me mommy or mom yet but for reasons like this kind of love, I hope to someday. Thanks for sharing.

Wow! Isn’t that true, my oldest just turned 9 and it feels like just yesterday that I was staring into her big, beautiful brown eyes while nursing her! How the time flies but what a wonderful time of life to be able to see her turn into a little lady who wants to be just like mom, still looking for “mommy’s” approval. I love that girl!

so sweet… I know what you mean.

wow…talk about hitting the nail on the head. I can relate to this post completely. My son turned 15 this year and I’m so grateful that at least he still says “I Love You” every time we part, whether in person or on the phone. I know I’m lucky in that aspect.

As for him calling me Mom….I so wish he wouldn’t. I have heard that word at least 100x a day for the past 15 1/2 years….I mean seriously….sometimes soon, “Mom” might be going on strike and I’ll just have him use my actual name for a bit.

what a very sweet post… you’ve said so well what we mothers feel during that pivotal time b/t toddlerhood and big boydome.

{but, girl, just you wait ’til he calls you, mo-THER!}

What great photos and what a handsome young man. Time flies so fast. My oldest is now a sophomore in college and I miss him terribly every single day. I am enjoying watching him turn into a fine young man, but still miss him so much. I am clinging on to my youngest who is 13 for dear life. No mommy or mama, its mom or mother but he is still my baby! Happy Birthday to Ethan!

I TOTALLY relate….write about the same thing all the time. It’s so hard…and so wonderful, watching them grow up to be the little men we’re raising them to be. From one mama to another, I get you.
shaunna

Now look at what you did! You went and made me cry……. Beautiful post… my little guy just turned 6 so I totally get it.

Goodness! I can always count on you for a tear streaming down my cheek. My firstborn son is two and a half. Seven and a half sounds heart wrenching, friend! Know that our Lord will give you the grace and wisdom to shepherd his heart. Enjoy that boy! I know you do!

My oldest is also 7 1/2 and before I know it she will be out of the house and married….

Your post made me cry because that is how I feel and I don’t want to be mom, I want to be mommy.

Every milestone is so bittersweet, you are excited for them and all the while wishing life would move a little slower so you can hold on just a tad longer.

I won’t lie, it only gets harder as they get older. My son is turning sevenTEEN in a few months and I have moments all the time where I just can’t believe the years are gone and he’s closer to being a man than a boy.

When he got his license this summer, I was the only one crying in front of the DMV. And I didn’t stop crying for about a week. To this day, I haven’t blogged about his license because it was too painful for me!

I know I’m ridiculous, but it’s just so bittersweet to watch your baby boy turn into a young man. Lovely post.

One of the sweetest things I have ever read! I know just how you feel. My baby girl turns 11 tomorrow. The whole preteen thing is starting to make me feel a little over my head. Thanks for sharing Emily!

:’-]

Thanks for the touching words, Emily. Obviously, many of us moms can relate! May I encourage you by telling you that now that my 4 girls are grown (15-24 years old), they are reverting back to their childhood names for me. The young years, I was Mommy, the teen years I became Mom and now that 2 of them live hundreds of miles away, they call or address me in emails and letters by Mommy or Momma again. So, yes, even though he may not call you this now, you will always be his mommy! Blessings.

Thank you. Such a beautiful post. I’m in the same situation. My kids are growing and I’m afraid I’m not good enough or I just want the best for them and have no idea how to help them with out being bossy.

Thank you.

Hi Emily,

Your post really touched my heart and I wanted to share something with you.

I am a mom of two very special children. My son is in college, and my daughter a high school senior. As I am facing the “empty nest”, I feel myself slipping deeper into sadness. I have the best husband ever, and I am very close to my kids. I seriously don’t know what I will do when my baby girl moves out. I am so happy for my children, because I raised them for this next stage in life. But, I have given my whole life so far to be home with them…and I am just sad.

I cried myself to sleep last night thinking about how fast this school year is slipping by. But then, I woke up this morning and this message was in my inbox from my son:

• I just watched a video of a guy who had to watch his mom pass away, and he never had the chance to tell her he loved her. It made me sad.

So this is me telling you that I Love You more than bike riding, video editing Coke and rum and everything else in this world combined. You are the greatest mother i could ever ask for. Seriously. It took me some time to see it, but I never realized how great of a mom i had. It is almost sickening how much you love me, but you would be absolutely nauseous if you knew how much i loved you back. You’ve taught me all of the most important lessons in my life (save a few from jim).

I think it is incredible that you picked up bike riding to spend more time with me and dad, and i think it is even more incredible how much you challenge and push yourself.

I’ve learned more from you than I will ever know, and i inspire to be only half as amazing a human being that you are.

I think i am the luckiest son in the entire universe to have such a loving, caring, and most of all FUN mom.

So thank you for being awesome. I hope you feel loved.

This Emily, reminds me that he too, will always be my baby!
xoxo

Is it crazy that my 11yo daughter calls me “Mom”, my 9yo son calls me “Mommy” and my 6yo daughter calls me “mama”… not sure why that is, but I answer to all, but like you, I prefer “mommy” the most!!!

Amen! I feel the exact same way. My son Sam is 5 and called me “mom” the other day. I almost cried (but I am PMSing). I want him to always want me to hug and snuggle him. What am I going to do when he doesn’t want me to do that anymore? My solution…have more kids! But, i think you’ve got that one covered.

Ooooh, this makes me want to cry! They shouldn’t be allowed to grow up.

Wow!!! I have a 19 month old son and your post made me cry. So I read it to my husband and cried again. ha!! Just the thought of him growing and changing and being less and less my little boy. Well, he’ll always be my little boy but… you know!!

You son is beautiful! Thanks for blogging such great thoughts everyday!!

Now I’m all teary– especially now that I have a 6 week old son! Thanks for sharing, Emily.

Oh Emily I so remember Ethan when he was a baby–such a sweet, beautiful little sweetheart. And now he is growing to be a sweet beautiful little boy. I don’t think you are ever prepared for them to grow up, but you learn and grow right along with them. : )

I LOVE this post! You always put just what I am thinking and feeling into words.

I have become so sensitive since becoming a mom- when it comes to my babies (or any kids), I cry when I’m happy, I cry when I’m sad…needless to say, I’m working very hard to hold the tears back now. My babies are only 1 and 2, and I’m lucky enough to get to stay home with them…but I still feel like the time is going too fast (although I won’t mind not changing diapers), that I’m missing too much, that I don’t appreciate every moment, every breath they take, enough. I’m holding my daughter now as she naps, she looks like an angel…I am her favorite person, and I eat it up because I know that this will likely change as she gets older. Thanks for sharing this post and reminding me to cherish every moment with my babies. (this is my first time to your blog, and it’s gorgeous…I’m looking forward to exploring it more.) Take care. No matter what they call us or how old they are…they will always be our babies.

What are you trying to do to me!! Mine are 3 1/2 & 18 months old. I bo-hoo’d for a whole minute over this blog! Gaaaaaaaa!

Emily Ethan is SUCH a handsome and perfect merging of you and Ryan. I look at that last photo on your post and see SO much of Ryan in his face!

holy cow. emily.

you went and slayed me with this one.

my baby firstborn is 6. He called me mom. My eyes got as big as saucers, and I said “WHO is MOM???”

oh… how to let go? I will never know. only the peace of knowing that he was never mine to begin with…

he currently calls me momma.

and I can breathe for a little while longer……….

This post made me cry. My first and only will be 1 in 2 weeks, and I keep looking at her and asking her…where did my little newborn baby go? It’s bizarre so I can only imagine you don’t know where the last 7 years have gone, and how it happened so quickly? My mom whos 55, always says how proud she is of her 2 daughters but she looks at baby pictures and little kid pictures and misses those girls. Amongst all the things we have to do as mothers, we all need to take our time and just enjoy it while it lasts.