Today’s featured blogger is Deirdre, AKA JDaniel4′s Mom.
JDaniel4′s Mom is one of the sweetest spots you’ll find in the blogosphere! I always tell D that JDaniel4 has got to be the happiest kid on earth. She finds a way to share her heart and creativity everyday with all of us, and having her over today is a real treat!
If you’re not familiar with her blog, be sure to bookmark it. It’s one that you’ll want to go back to over and over. I bet if you went there right now, you’d end up pinning her most recent activity or fun food idea.
Please give a warm welcome to Deirdre! She’s got something tugging on heart strings that I’m sure you all can relate to.
Two weeks ago I signed my son up for kindergarten. I am not sure how we got to this point in time. It really does seem like yesterday that I rocked a baby in my arms that cried to be fed twenty four hours a day.
Back then I prayed that I would make it until my husband would get home from work so we could both rock him and try to get him to sleep. The days back then seemed to crawl. I truly think they were a few hours longer.
Each night I would put my son into bed and pray that he would get the sleep that we both needed him to get. I was desperate for sleep and time to rest my weary arms. Seriously my arms were always tired. I think they got a quite a workout during the day. They held him, rocked him , patted his back to encourage his burps., changed his endless soiled diapers and clothes, and carried him throughout the house to give us both of change of scene.
Now he is almost five and I am praying that time will slow down. The days of wishing away hours just so bedtime will come have ended. Not everyday is wonderful, but I am trying to enjoy every last moment that we have in it.
My arms are holding him tight and they no longer seem to be as tired as they once were. When I wake up and they ache to give him his morning hug when he comes down for breakfast carrying his teddy bear and favorite blanket. They hesitate to let him go when I drop him off for preschool. They reach out to hug him as he bounds out of class filled with things he has done during the morning. They wrap around him as I read him a bedtime story and sometimes as he falls to sleep.
When I used to rock my son, I would entangle his fingers with my fingers laced through his. Now we both do it when we snuggle to read books or go for a walk through our neighborhood. I have been told that once he starts school he may start to pull his fingers out of mine when we head into school. He will think it isn’t cool and he will want to look cool.
I am hoping that he will still want to walk hand in hand outside of school for a few more years. There is just something amazing about the feel of his hand in mine with our fingers woven together. I am hoping that he will still run into my arms for time to time when he is excited about seeing me after we have been apart too.
There are only seven months until our world changes and he enters a new one filled with long days and learning what it means to be a big kid going to the big kid’s school. I plan to enjoy each everyday of every month we have until then. I will cherish every hand hold and hug. They are each like gifts being given by my favorite boy who is growing up way too fast.
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It does go too fast, D. It’s just not fair.
Be sure to take a minute and visit JDaniel4′s Mom and connect with Dierdre on Facebook or Twitter.
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Thank you so much for having me guest post today. What an honor!
JDaniel4′s Mom recently posted..Chinese New Year- Read.Explore.Learn.
Twitter: themommymess
says:
Thanks for being here!!
My oldest boy is almost 5 and headed to kindergarten in the fall. I can totally relate. In fact, I’m sitting here, eating my morning yogurt, reading, and totally tearing up just at the thought! But on the flip side, he is so excited and he is going to get to experience so much and learn so much. It will be so exciting to watch him grow into the person he is created to be! But I will try to hold on to those hugs and kisses for as long as I can too!
Jackie Higgins recently posted..Winter Word Work
Is kindergarten full days? – the UK system is a bit different as my girls start in September too but only half days. They will only be three years old – it does seem young.
Rebecca recently posted..Create An Inside Winter Wonderland
It is full days. I wish it were half, but we are getting ready for long days of school.
JDaniel4′s Mom recently posted..Chinese New Year- Read.Explore.Learn.
MY daughter just started pre-k a few weeks ago too. She goes 3 days a week and loves it so much. She turns 5 in April and will be starting kindergarten this coming school year
Kristyn Kilcullen recently posted..Milani Color Statement Lipsticks in Red and Orange Review, Photos and Swatches
I bet my son will love it too.
JDaniel4′s Mom recently posted..Chinese New Year- Read.Explore.Learn.
Maybe it won’t happen as fast as they say. The other day when the bus was coming I went to give Pierce a hug and he pulled away. I said, “Are you too big to give hugs, Pierce?” and he said, “No Mom, I was just fixing my jacket!” and then he gave me a huge hug and said, “I PROMISE I will ALWAYS give you hugs, Mom” and I said, “I’m going to hold you to that!”
Lisa @ Two Bears Farm recently posted..The Sierra Nevadas and Sequoia National Park
I bet Pierce will. He is such a special guy. I think the twins will follow his lead.
JDaniel4′s Mom recently posted..Chinese New Year- Read.Explore.Learn.
having three babies in three years it really goes by fast, and all at once. next year my baby goes to school.
Jennifer recently posted..ABC Friday – E is for….
Time truly flies.
JDaniel4′s Mom recently posted..Chinese New Year- Read.Explore.Learn.
Twitter: KimberlyAMuro
says:
Oh gosh, this made me cry. My oldest will be 13 in a few months, yet it was just yesterday that my arms ached from rocking him all night long. Now I look at my other children and beg time to just freeze. It goes by so fast. It’s so unfair.
Kimberly recently posted..Essence of Now: Busy, Busy, Busy…
I am totally where you are.
JDaniel4′s Mom recently posted..Chinese New Year- Read.Explore.Learn.
Twitter: copilotmom
says:
I remember this feeling so well with my oldest, and already feel it looming on the horizon with my youngest. He will start school in September of 2014 – and although I keep telling myself that it is a long time yet, I know in my heart that it will still seem too fast.
Kim@Co-Pilot Mom recently posted..Captains’ Quotes – Play
Time does seem to be closing in on us!
JDaniel4′s Mom recently posted..{Lunch} Valentine’s Day Ideas for Kids
It does go way to fast. I swear I woke up to all these children that are no longer babies. Where did the time ago? I guess all we can do is cherish each stage.
Melissa recently posted..Bare Refinement………..#5minutefriday
You are so right! We so need to cherish the time that we have.
JDaniel4′s Mom recently posted..{Lunch} Valentine’s Day Ideas for Kids
Definitely goes way too fast. Makes me glad we home-school!
Kristen recently posted..Winner!
I bet you are enjoying every minute of it!
JDaniel4′s Mom recently posted..{Lunch} Valentine’s Day Ideas for Kids
Having your kids grow up is never easy! I’ve been so blessed that my boys now ages 7 and 9 are still proud of their mommy and like when I show up at school. They aren’t embarrassed by me and will still give me hugs. They don’t hold my hand much anymore, but I will take what I can get truly! My daughter is 3 and is beginning to pull away in her independence. I miss my sweet toddler who was full of cuddles all day long. It is hard letting them go and gain their independence.
Amber Edwards recently posted..The secret of Kids Fashion by Kspin Designs Childrens couture handmade kids Clothing
Twitter: TheDoseTweets
says:
Oh, this was so sweet! It does go by so quickly, D!
He will definitely want to hold your hand for a few more years.
Even my (almost) 13 will still let me hold his hand from time to time when nobody is looking.
The Dose of Reality recently posted..Like Mother, Like Daughter
I am so hoping he will.
JDaniel4′s Mom recently posted..{Lunch} Valentine’s Day Ideas for Kids
Twitter: OneMommy1
says:
Oh, your words speak the pain in my heart as my daughter approaches kindergarten this year! I can’t believe how fast the time flew by! I keep putting off calling the school, asking about kindergarten, as if my ignoring it will make it go away, even when I know it won’t.
I put it off a little too.
JDaniel4′s Mom recently posted..{Lunch} Valentine’s Day Ideas for Kids
Twitter: TheMomCafe
says:
My son is seven and in first grade, and he runs to me and folds into my arms still…in front of all his friends!! I hate to think of that ending. I know it will all too soon! LOVED seeing you here Dierdre!!! YAY! Hang in there…it starts to REALLY speed up when they start going to school and you miss all those hours they are gone… (sigh)
Chris Carter recently posted..February Friend #2
I don’t think I am ready for it to speed up.
JDaniel4′s Mom recently posted..{Lunch} Valentine’s Day Ideas for Kids
So sweet! Hayley is going to kindergarten too! I can’t believe it- it goes so fast!
Way too fast!
JDaniel4′s Mom recently posted..{Lunch} Valentine’s Day Ideas for Kids
My daughter Amberly is in Kindergarten and Haley is in 1st grade. Every day I wonder where the time has gone. Haley will be turning 7 on the 23rd. I can’t believe it. I know what you mean when you say that your arms were always tired. My baby boy will be 5 weeks old tomorrow and I am always rocking him, burping him and so on. I don’t want these days to end because I know how fast they go by.
Jennifer Clay recently posted..Vintage Lace Headbands Only $2.49!
Hold him tight for as long as you can.
JDaniel4′s Mom recently posted..{Lunch} Valentine’s Day Ideas for Kids
Twitter: Kellystilwell
says:
My “babies” will both be in high school next year. One, a senior! Yes, way too fast!
Kelly Stilwell recently posted..How blessed are you?
Even in high school they are still our babies aren’t they.
JDaniel4′s Mom recently posted..{Lunch} Valentine’s Day Ideas for Kids
Twitter: fiercedivablog
says:
My “baby” is going to kindergarten too in the fall – and when I first got the registration letter, I actually cried! I was not the happiest “baby mama” and I don’t miss that stage in all honesty, but if I could freeze time right now, I would! What a lovely post and tribute to motherhood and your son.
ilene recently posted..Down There
We so need to come up with a way to freeze time.
JDaniel4′s Mom recently posted..{Lunch} Valentine’s Day Ideas for Kids
Twitter: MOLM2011
says:
Just wait until you have to go sign him up for high school classes. I swear my baby was in kindergarten yesterday, and tomorrow he’s in high school. Time goes so fast!
Making Our Life Matter recently posted..Finding The Best Planner To Meet Your Organizational Needs
I am so not ready for that.
JDaniel4′s Mom recently posted..{Lunch} Valentine’s Day Ideas for Kids
{Sigh.} I am teary eyed. My “baby” is 6 1/2. I homeschool, so I don’t have to worry about him letting go of my hand when he goes to school, but he’s growing up. He doesn’t hug as often, or cuddle as long, or give me as many kisses as he used to. He’s not only my “baby” but he’s my “only” as well. And yes, the days of wishing for bedtime are not nearly as often as they once were. Thanks for such a touching post, and a reminder to cherish the ones we love.
Kerri recently posted..My Medical Week
My son is my only too. I am still trying to get as many hugs as possible.
JDaniel4′s Mom recently posted..{Lunch} Valentine’s Day Ideas for Kids
Twitter: shanMKwalker
says:
Great post. The time does fly by and made me want to cry–my son’s 4th year was such a fun time where he was proud of sooo many things he could do. He is now in college & the Army. *Sigh*
But you know what, it’s different but it’s still wonderful. Because of those early days of investing into his life (like YOU are now), we have such a close and special relationship. He called just yesterday for sweet advise.
My words of advise: DO cherish every moment but also don’t worry about what the ‘culture’ says is normal for you son to do. Don’t be so quick to accept society’s version of what your relationship should be. Tell him that it’s ok for him to hold your hand as long as he wants. Teach him to think for himself BEFORE peer pressure begins and you two will be fine.
God bless you Mama Dierdre,
The How to Guru