We are in a time of transition.

We are going from the parents of babies to the parents of kids.

I loved my babies, but I love that we are moving into a new phase of life. 

My youngest child moved into a “big girl” bed a month ago. I thought I would be sad that after almost 7 years, we ended up permanently dismantling the crib but…

I wasn’t.

I wasn’t even a little bit sad.

Actually, I was thrilled that we were finally done with the crib.

The same thing happened when we got rid of the high chair.

I thought I would be sad to see that phase of our lives done and gone, but I wasn’t the least bit sad.

My goal is to be diaper free by 2019… pretty sure I’m not going to be sad at all for the diaper phase to end- think of the money I’ll save!

It seems like only last week we were preparing for the arrival of our first child.

We were carefully selecting the now worn out crib and high chair. We were researching baby products, picking out darling onesies, and trying to calculate how many diapers a newborn goes through in one day.

We were blissfully ignorant, well rested, and the perfect parents.

Now we are well versed in the antics of babies and toddlers, exhausted, and terrible parents- so much has changed in seven years.

I remember lying awake at night while pregnant, wondering what my first child would be like. I remember trying to picture what he would look like, talk like, and act like. Now… we almost wear the same size shoes.

This time of transitions is both scary and exhilarating.

I am both terrified for my kids to turn into independent people who spend time away from me and the sheltered world I have created for them, and thrilled to watch them stretch their wings and fly.

I am thrilled that I spend less time every day wiping bums and carrying them from place to place, and terrified that they will learn that life can be cruel and unfair.

I am thrilled for them to meet new people and have new experiences, but terrified that not all of those experiences will be positive.

And to be honest, I’m a little bit thrilled and terrified for myself.

I’m thrilled that some independence and alone time is in store for me. I am thrilled that some long lost hobbies may make a come back. I am thrilled that my every waking moment might not be spent wiping noses and doing laundry.

But I’m also worried. I’m worried about what I will do next. I am worried that I won’t find worthy things to fill my time (don’t worry my time will be filled), I am worried about using my talents outside of my home, and I’m worried about finding my place in the community.

For now, I’m just enjoying the ride. Transitions can be scary, but I’m determined to make this one fabulous.