Don't blink

Being a mom of three small children has taught me many things. Showers are overrated. Clutter happens. Sleep doesn't. Boogers get eaten. Vegetables sometimes don't. Late is the new on-time. Matching clothes are optional. Schedules are irrelevant. Cleaning up toys is an exercise of futility. A moment of silence is priceless, but suspicious. Chaos is the norm. 

But one of the most profound lessons I've learned from motherhood is this. 

Don't blink. 

Don't blink. Because this

Becomes this. 

Then this. 

Turns into this. 

And this. 

And this. 

Then this. 

And this. 

And this. 

And before you know it, this.

And, gasp, this.

Then this.

And this.

And in a blink, your baby-- your very first baby-- has become this beautiful little not-so-little girl.

Don't blink. 

Because this

Becomes this.

Then this.

And this. 

Then this. 

And this.

And this.

Then this.

And this.

And this. 

Things like this happen.

And before you know it, your baby-- your littlest second baby-- becomes this little person, full of personality, grown-up words, pull-ups, and big girl beds. 

Don't blink.

Because only children 

become big sisters. 

And little sisters become middle sisters.

Big sisters become bigger sisters. 

And it all happens in a blink.

So I remind myself to do less Hurry Up. Less Not Now. Less Impatience. Less Checking-Off-The-List. Less Can't-You-Walk?. Less Why Is This Place Always A Mess?. Less Can't I Go To The Bathroom Alone? Less We're Going to Be Late. More of what's really important. Less Blinking.