Maelin is 5 Months Old Today!

My little one is growing up! I can't believe that it's been 5 months since we've had her: it seems like it's gone by in the blink of an eye, but I also can't imagine life without her.

It's crazy how fast kids grow up. My friend from high school's son is in 5th grade now! That's so hard for me to believe because I was there when he was about 3 weeks old: I remember helping to change his diapers and I remember the wonderment that comes with a new baby and now he's in 5th grade and it seems like that happened yesterday.

I wish there was a better way to preserve the precious time we have with our kids when they are young...I take tons of pictures, we bought a camcorder, I record things in her baby book and I'll have this blog to look back on but I won't have the smells of Maelin. I won't have the twinkle in her eyes, the softness of her skin, the soft sighs she makes as she snuggles into me when she's going to sleep. My little infant is already gone forever: there's a chubby, drooling, squealing baby in her place. I love this baby as much or even more as I loved the infant, but I miss the infant just the same.

In a few short months, my chubby baby will be gone and a toddler will be running amok. Then an inquisitive (I hope) pre-schooler will be hanging out and then a school-aged kid and before we know it, Maelin will be in 5th grade and this post will read, "Maelin's in 5th grade today: Where did the time go?"

It's hard to imagine I'll be as in love with these other kids that Maelin will turn into as I am with her now. I hope that I'll be as present as possible and our time together will be well-spent. She's such an amazing little soul already: full of love and happiness and contentment and sweetness and joy. Those are such precious qualities and I hope they grow with her...

It's going to be a great ride.