I think I see the light at the end of the tunnel.
Yesterday afternoon, I had one of those "wow" moments. We had finished cleaning the toy room and Greg took the boys outside for baseball and the girls snuggled up on the sofa to watch a movie. For an hour I had complete peace and quiet in the house. No one needed me, no one yelled for me, no one demanded my attention. It was surreal.
We've slowly been coming out of the "OMG babies and toddlers everywhere!" stage for awhile. The diaper bag holds books with words instead of only pictures, fruit snacks instead of jars of baby food, crayons and coloring books instead of a dozen diapers and baby wipes. I actually carry a purse nowadays instead of throwing my wallet and cell phone in the diaper bag (which almost always stays in the van). It's practically not a diaper bag anymore, it's more of a "distraction/emergency supply" bag now.
There are no more nap times. No more nursing bras or bottles or sippy cups. We've moved on from buying a hundred diapers a week to 10 or so pull-ups. The kids' clothes no longer have "month" in the sizes. I don't have to keep an eye on the kids constantly, a potty break for me doesn't include taking the baby with me or making sure the toddler isn't climbing bookshelves. An overnight trip doesn't involve porta-cribs and strollers.
There are still less than perfect moments. Kelly opened my 6 month supply of sponges and soaked them all in soapy water yesterday. Kyle has accidentally spilled an entire gallon of milk on the kitchen floor recently. But there's no baby spit-up or ripped books. We've moved on from baby "oops!" to little kid mistakes.
I feel like I'm on the verge of joining a new club. I've always been in the babies/toddlers group and it seems so odd to be moving into the school age only category (Kyle and Kelly will both be attending pre-school in the fall). Middle of the night feedings and constant well baby check-ups are a vague memory. It's now "where's your homework?" and "let's go to soccer practice!" The kids are 8 1/2 years, 7, 7, 4 1/2, and 3. Of course that's going to be a different game plan from 5 1/2 years, 4, 4, 1 1/2, and 4 months.
I'm actually ready for this next stage. For years Greg and I have been saying "it'll be easier when Kyle's a year older" or "look where Kelly will be in another year" (comparing her to Kyle at his current age, they are 14 months apart). 3 seems to be the magic age everywhere, Kelly doesn't need a special reservation at the gym (babies do), she's old enough to be a tag-along at Girl Scout camp, she can be in an actual pre-school class, and most sports/library programs only accept children 3 and above. 3 has always been my lucky number. *winks*
To those still firmly in the baby/toddler camp, it does get better (although still tricky in a different way). It's bittersweet for me moving up though. I can't help but smile at a mom with a baby on her hip and a toddler hanging on her leg at the store while Kyle and Kelly hold hands and walk on their own. But as I look to the parents of only school age children and their freedom from carseats and pull-ups, I'm in awe and a little eager to see what it is like.
Parenting is like moving to a new country. You are completely lost at first but with maps and guides and "let's try this!" you slowly begin to find your way around. And then as things become more comfortable and familiar you can enjoy the different little unique aspects of your particular location even through there's always a roadblock or detour to overcome. I feel like I've reached the comfortable stage and understand a bit about where I am. And now I'm ready to go exploring and see what else is out there.
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