I am so confused. The last thing I remember is being in the hospital holding an itty bitty baby thinking that there’s no way anything could top that feeling. When did that itty baby turn into an outgoing kindergartener who declares herself to be a “totally people person” with loves hugs, reading and fancy dresses? And why am I even more in love with her today than I was nearly 6 years ago when she first came into my world and brought me back to life? I wasn’t expecting this.

No one really talks about it, either. They tell you to savor the moments when your children are young. Folks talks about how it goes so fast, but nobody ever really talks about how it keeps getting better and better. For sure the days of having an adorable, chubby little baby were so sweet and I cherish every single one of them. I can admit that I do occasionally look back at old pictures, and watch old videos with a huge grin on my face as I reminisce on how adorable baby Ayva was. I don’t long to have those days back, though. I like how this mommy/daughter thing has developed, and I’m appreciating the space that we’re in now.

We have real conversations. Like really. I value her opinion about things, and frequently get her thoughts on everything from what we should have for dinner to which route does she think is the best one to take to school. At times when I least expect it she even imparts incredibly pure and insightful wisdom that has me wondering where this child came from. She’s reading now, and watching her discover play on words and increase her vocabulary is just as exciting as when she was learning to walk and saying words for the first time. The awe and wonder of this child being mine just doesn’t go away. As she learns to do more and more, and the older she gets, it becomes even more amazing to know that she came from me. She’s becoming a real person now, and she’s mine. It’s incredible.

Moms, I do encourage you to savor the moments, but not because you’ll never get them back. I want you to savor the time you have with your little one now because later you’ll be so busy in the new moments that are created that you might not have a lot of time to reminisce.