So this week we packed away the cot, the high chair, the baby bjorn. We moved Mr Small into a bed.
Somehow I don't think we will be unpacking those items again, unless they are to pass on to a friend or family member.
And I am at peace with that.
I am incredibly blessed with three healthy children. And last week I was hit sharply between the eyes with the realization that children become MORE, not less work as they grow up.
Case in point:
Mr Small was assessed by a speech therapist last week. He has the speech of a 6 month old and the comprehension skills of a three year old. Recently his tantrums and frustrations have been spectacular to say the least. It's no exaggeration to say his behaviour has taken me to the brink of depression. That's part of the reason I haven't blogged much lately. How can I blog about my life when I'm doing such a crappy job at it?
I now know where I was going wrong (with Mr Small at least) and thanks to the strategies given to me by the speech therapist we are not enduring epic tantrums at home and in public anymore. Mr Small has begin to use words (yippee) and I am not left hiding in the toilet crying because I simply don't know what to do with him.
Each day I have to sit down with my boy and spend 20 minutes uninterrupted time with him and just play. Before you ask why I wasn't already doing this, I'll just say, I thought I was. Playing with him, I mean. But I didn't realise how much his older siblings dominated that time. So now they are locked out of the room and he plays blissfully. Just him and me.
And the difference is incredible.
My life is changing. Slowly but surely.
And I want to write about it here.
Another reason I have been quieter than usual is the fact I now know so many people IRL read my blog and I haven't been comfortable with that. I debated going PP, but you know what? I'm 34 and it's time for me to be ok with what people think of me regardless of whether their opinion is favourable or not.
And this is my new life.
I'll tell you what it means in practical terms over the coming days and I'll be looking for your thoughts and advice too.
And of course my blog will have a new look to accompany this change.
Because with me, some things never change!