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It started off like any other trip to the grocery store.
I began in the produce section and grabbed fruits and vegetables for the week.
Then I headed to the lunch meat counter, ordered cheese and turkey and picked up some pizza dough for dinner.
I continued on my way, when it hit me like a ton of bricks.
I felt like I was punched in the stomach.
I wasn’t sure why until I looked up.
I was standing in front of the baby aisle.
Right then I realized I’ve outgrown this aisle and I had to catch my breath.
I remember the days when I had an infant sitting in a car seat in the back of the food cart and a toddler sitting in front.
With one hand I’d check the different baby foods to compare the ingredients and with the other hand I’d keep feeding my toddler snacks to keep him happy.
I would throw in some diapers and baby wash as my little one made raspberries and my toddler cried to get out of the cart.
I felt exhausted with lack of sleep and stressed to get out of the store before my toddler had a complete meltdown.
Everyone said, “Enjoy these moments because before you know it they’ll be grown.”
I’d laugh to myself and think, ‘how can I enjoy it when I can’t even get a shower by myself?’
Now my kids are six and three and I wish I could go back to when they were babies.
It’s true they do grow fast.
Instead of playing peek-a-boo, we are going on bike rides and playing soccer outside.
Instead of rocking them to sleep, we cuddle in bed talking about our day.
Inside of giving them baths, they like to take showers.
Instead of worrying about getting nutritional food into them, I now worry if they are ok when I’m not with them.
Parenting is an evolution that we all go through.
I’m mourning the baby days but looking forward to the exciting adventures we have ahead of us.
Were you sad when you outgrew the baby aisle?
{ 26 comments… read them below or add one }
I’m technically still in the baby aisle with my 10 month old daughter, but I WAS sad when I realized that she was out of the Newborn-12 months section because she is tall and is wearing 18 month clothes. I was confused why I had to look elsewhere for her clothes when she wasn’t even a year old. They do grow so fast.
It’s always bittersweet. Sometimes I find myself thinking (wish I she could walk so I wouldn’t have to carry her or I wish she could feed herself, or sleep through the night) but all these things I know I will miss when they don’t happen because it will be real that she’s no longer a baby. I’ll think of this post when I come to that baby aisle someday and realize my shopping for baby things are over. </3
Cassie´s last [type] ..10 Things About My Car
I love that my boys are so active and love watching them grow, but yes I am sad that I’m not in the baby aisle anymore. Believe me, I’m over changing diapers but knowing that I won’t have a little one anymore does make me a bit sad
Tina @ Life Without Pink´s last [type] ..We’re Having a Pink Celebration – #NokiaPink Back-to-School Twitter Party
No, I wasn’t. As my kids grew, I always thought “now” was the best time. With two of my boys grown, I’m seeing the rewards of the finished product. I’m seeing them enjoying their independence, becoming responsible, respectful young adults.
When my oldest left for college, I realized that every time I felt sad I was thinking about myself. A simple perspective shift — thinking about him having the time of his life — made that pass.
Lisha´s last [type] ..Finding my lost perspective.
Yes I love watching my boys grow and it’s truly amazing to see everything they accomplish. I guess since my little guy is only 3 and I can’t remember when he was a baby (wasn’t that long ago), makes me realize how fast time does go!
Tina @ Life Without Pink´s last [type] ..We’re Having a Pink Celebration – #NokiaPink Back-to-School Twitter Party
We’re still in the baby aisle, but I dread the day that we’re out of it. At least I should someday have a baby #2 to prolong it. Outgrowing it seems like such a big step.
Nessa´s last [type] ..Silent Sunday: Pretty Baby Outfits
It’s amazing how fast they grow! Treasure it
Tina @ Life Without Pink´s last [type] ..We’re Having a Pink Celebration – #NokiaPink Back-to-School Twitter Party
I definitely was okay with it when we could walk past the diapers and not need to stop!
Shell´s last [type] ..Wanderlust in Photos Or Why I Want to Go to Wanderlust Every Year
Yes that part I am totally with you!
Tina @ Life Without Pink´s last [type] ..We’re Having a Pink Celebration – #NokiaPink Back-to-School Twitter Party
In a way I’m sad that we’ve outgrown it but in other ways I am so happy! I am DONE having babies… no more! I love babies and cuddling them and all that but I’m ready to sleep and have a bit of time where I don’t need to do much but play with the kids!
Best part about not needing the baby aisle is the extra money that I have now because I don’t have to buy diapers, wipes, or any of that stuff!
Haha true! It does save you so much money!
Tina @ Life Without Pink´s last [type] ..We’re Having a Pink Celebration – #NokiaPink Back-to-School Twitter Party
I couldn’t wait to get out of that baby aisle! There wasn’t a shred of sadness in my heart! We decided while I was still pregnant with #2 that it would be our last. I don’t do the whole baby thing really well. I’m much better with the older kids.
Oh and I am also incredibly thrilled that my youngest will be in first grade and in school all day for the first time. She is beyond excited and I’m just as excited
Yes it is nice walking out of the house w/out a diaper bag, that’s for sure! This year my little guy will be going to school too. While I am sad, it will be good. What will I do with my 3 hours of extra time?
Tina @ Life Without Pink´s last [type] ..We’re Having a Pink Celebration – #NokiaPink Back-to-School Twitter Party
Wow! I actually never even thought about the grocery store aisle. The baby clothes are what I missed but now I am missing baby food & lotions and both of those things are long gone for me.
Each year though, I have new things to look forward to and I love to see it all unfold.
Kristen´s last [type] ..The Preppy Girl in Pink Turns One
Yes you are so right! Each year, it does get better and better. My 3YO just started playing soccer and it’s a huge step for him. So cool to see them grow!
Tina @ Life Without Pink´s last [type] ..We’re Having a Pink Celebration – #NokiaPink Back-to-School Twitter Party
I think it will be bittersweet when I walk away from the baby aisle. I might mourn the loss of my “babies”, but I also think that “now” is always the best time.
Barbara´s last [type] ..Dear Nathan….
Love what you said, so true.
Tina @ Life Without Pink´s last [type] ..We’re Having a Pink Celebration – #NokiaPink Back-to-School Twitter Party
Oh wow, I actually had that experience last night while grocery shopping! I stood at the end of the baby aisle, kind of just staring at it, trying to conjure up just one baby thing I needed so that I could walk down that aisle. Couldn’t do it. We are past that age now, and while I love having a 3-year-old, there is a fraction of me who misses browing that aisle. I just didn’t realize it until yesterday.
Jaime´s last [type] ..Birthday Party at Chuck E. Cheese, sans Headache
Funny you had the same experience! Seriously after going down that aisle for 6 years, it is weird to outgrow it. But I don’t miss the diapers, that’s for sure!
Tina @ Life Without Pink´s last [type] ..We’re Having a Pink Celebration – #NokiaPink Back-to-School Twitter Party
I was so sad when I outgrew the baby aisle that I went an had another baby lol. This time around though I will just need to get over it as we are done having kids. I will miss out. They do grow up to quick. My kids are 5 and almost 10 months.
Nolie´s last [type] ..Who has the right of way?
It’s just weird to go down that aisle for 6 years and now I’m done with it. But they keep me active, I won’t miss it for long
Tina @ Life Without Pink´s last [type] ..We’re Having a Pink Celebration – #NokiaPink Back-to-School Twitter Party
Yes I’m very sad I have a 2 and a 5 yr old
I want to have another but my husband doesn’t
I think knowing I’m done having kids might be way I miss it too!
Tina @ Life Without Pink´s last [type] ..We’re Having a Pink Celebration – #NokiaPink Back-to-School Twitter Party
Oops “why”
Tina @ Life Without Pink´s last [type] ..We’re Having a Pink Celebration – #NokiaPink Back-to-School Twitter Party
AWWW, Tina. *HUGS* What a beautiful picture that is. I got a little verklempt when I saw it because I knew what was coming. I’m sorry it hit you all so suddenly, and obviously I can’t relate entirely without kids of my own, but it’s the one thing I hear universally: they just grow up much too quickly. I’m glad you are able to enjoy each phase of parenting differently.
XOXO
Charlotte´s last [type] ..Not while the puppy is sleeping
If I think about it, I’ve been going down that aisle for 6years…crazy I’m done with it. But I don’t miss those diapers!
Tina @ Life Without Pink´s last [type] ..We’re Having a Pink Celebration – #NokiaPink Back-to-School Twitter Party
Definitely! I’m still sad at times and my boys are 8 and 5. I especially get sad when I drive by Babies R Us – there is one literally a stone’s throw from my house and every now and then I’m all, gosh I have NO NEED WHATSOEVER for that store. I remember TTC and wanting to be able to go in!! LOL! But time marches on and I love the stage/ages my kids are at now.
Plus now I have a new niece or nephew about to be born so I figure I’ll just shop vicariously for him/her
But I get it Tina! It’s definitely a different time in your life and sad when it’s over for sure!
Whitney Wingerd´s last [type] ..Best of Beauty: Tigi’s Decadent Lipstick #bestofbeauty