I recently realized that I haven’t changed the diaper pail in a couple of months. As a matter of fact, we don’t even need it anymore. This was always one of my least favorite tasks, as any parent can understand. In fairness, once my kiddo became fully potty trained it wasn’t filling up as fast anyway since he was only wearing Pull-Ups at night. And then over the summer, we tried night training and he picked it quickly. No more diapers, no more Pull-Ups. My baby was becoming his own little person.
I loved the baby stage. Not the newborn stage with late-night feedings, walking around like a zombie, and being in a daze all the time. For me, the period from 6 months to 1 year was the sweet spot. He was small enough that carrying him was a breeze. He wasn’t fighting me about what he’d to wear. He would eat everything put in front of him without having to negotiate. Still so little, sweet, and cuddly. It was blissful.
But, I also don’t miss having to lug around all that gear. It’s kind of insane how much gear and equipment the tiniest humans need. We’ve ditched the pack and play, we don’t need the diaper bag, and I can’t even remember the last time we used a stroller. I feel free from the chains of all the baby and toddler gear. At most, I need a pack of wipes, a bottle of hand sanitizer, and some pens and paper to keep him occupied. If we’re gone for an extended period of time I might bring along a change of clothes and his water bottle.
And while my kiddo is well past the baby stage and is no longer the sweet chubby baby he once was, I love getting to know the tiny human he is becoming. Yes, it can be much more challenging these days because he has a voice and an opinion and is never afraid to use them. I have to choose my battles wisely. And he asks a ton of questions. All. The. Time. I never pictured myself answering probing questions like, “What’s your favorite letter?” and “Who’s your favorite Spidey?” but here we are. But he makes us laugh all the time. And his excitement and happiness are thoroughly contagious.
As he grows more independent, I notice my role as his mom evolving, too. He’s not as dependent on me for things as he once was, and that has been an adjustment. And while I miss having a baby to cuddle with, I love getting to watch that baby grow up even more.
