Hayleigh, You are 2 ALREADY!!!

Babies Don’t Keep

by Ruth Hulburt Hamilton

Mother, O Mother, come shake out your cloth,

Empty the dustpan, poison the moth,

Hang out the washing, make up the bed,

Sew on a button and butter the bread.

Where is the mother whose house is so shocking?

She’s up in the nursery, blissfully rocking.

Oh, I’ve grown as shiftless as Little Boy Blue,

Lullabye, rockabye, lullabye loo.

Dishes are waiting and bills are past due

Pat-a-cake, darling, and peek, peekaboo

The shopping’s not done and there’s nothing for stew

And out in the yard there’s a hullabaloo

But I’m playing Kanga and this is my Roo

Look! Aren’t his eyes the most wonderful hue?

Lullabye, rockaby lullabye loo.

The cleaning and scrubbing can wait till tomorrow

But children grow up as I’ve learned to my sorrow.

So quiet down cobwebs; Dust go to sleep!

I’m rocking my baby and babies don’t keep.

Well, today is one of those days that as a mother, it is a given that you're gonna cry... Hayleigh turned 2 years old this morning at eactly 6:28am CST. Yes, I was up, and crying about it. I really woke up just 5 minutes prior to the time- 5:28 our time- mountain time. I didn't even have to set my alarm for it either. I didn't feel good at all- we think Hayleigh's cake made us all not feel too good. Anyway, I ended up shooting out of bed, getting some antacid chews- yes, I'm already there, and sitting in the kitchen, waiting until the exact minute to post on facebook, when Hayleigh was born. I sat there, meanwhile, thinking back to two years ago- what was going on- how we felt, how our lives were changed forever from then on. Amazing how one little person can make such an impact on many people's lives.

Yesterday, we spent the day playing with Hayleigh outside, out in her new shark water sprinkler, and just throughout the house. We ended up going over to a friend's house for cake, hot dogs, and brats, singing Happy Birthday to Hayleigh, with her getting shy. She blew out her candle- I wanted to cry then I was soo proud of her. We ate cake and went home.

This morning, while looming around the house at 5 in the morning, I went to Hayleigh's room, stroking her hair, and whispering Happy Birthday Sweetie, to her, crying, again. How did 2 years fly by soo fast?? It is just not possible that we are here already, Hayleigh turning two, and we are getting ready to have another baby. It seemed just like yesterday, that we were bringing our newborn baby girl home with us, scared to death, and beyond proud of our little bundle of joy. Now, she is walking, running, talking, counting to 13.... pushing around her baby buggy with baby doll in high heel dress up shoes, and giving hugs and kisses out. She sings I Love You, and will sing along with some other songs. She helps us around the house. Every time I go to vacuum with my dyson, she gets her mini dyson out, and follows me around the house, helping me clean. It melts my heart to hear her say Thank You Mommy, when I give her something, and never did ask for anything from her. I imagine I'll be asking the same questions when she grows up, leaves the house, and one day gets married.

I now understand the heartache that comes with being a parent, that I never knew before. It's not the scary movies that scare you, it's your kids growing up with you not being ready for them to, them growing too fast. Everyone tells you when you become a parent, just how fast time flies with kids- they are standing there with teenagers, and you look at them like they are crazy, until time passes, and you are nodding your head along with them.

 Hayleigh is not a baby anymore, and never will be again. But, I'll let her stay my baby for as long as she wants to. I'm just happy this morning was one of those mornings, where she wanted me to hold her, and cuddle with her in our bed. She didn't want to lay there by herself between Allen and I, she wanted me to hold her as we laid there. Still my baby.... for now anyway. I know the day will come  here she will want me to disappear, and think I'm crazy, and don't know anything. Hopefully those days will stay away for a while. I know that hearing "Mommy" or "Daddy" called throughout our house will become a distant thing of the past, but for now, instead of replying "What, Hayleigh", I'm going to run to her and give her a big hug and kiss. Soon, I will be longing for the days we are living now, to return, or to come back to now and enjoy being here just a little bit longer. So, for today, the computer & TV are being shut off, and we will be playing with baby dolls, and running around outside under the sprinkler.

So, Happy Birthday sweetie, you are now two! You will always be our baby girl, no matter how old you are!