in a flash . . .

You hear parents saying it a lot;

that time flies,

that children grow up fast.

But sometimes moments happen

and it seems like life flashed before your eyes.

It seems like only last week

we were giving our beautiful girl her very first bath.

She was like a tiny doll

lounged in her bath prop

feeling the warm water washing over her.

She was only five days old

and the world probably seemed like a big, cold, scary place.

She was so delicate and so teeny.

But now she's in a new bath seat

an upright bath seat

and I was suddenly struck by one of those moments

where I realise just how fast she's growing up.

As she sat up in the bath

grabbing for foam letters to chew on

and smiling at her brother

I was struck by how amazing that first year is

and how far babies come in that time.

She's nearly half way through her first year already

and as I watched her playing face to face with her big brother

I could imagine . . . 

all the bath times yet to come.

I could see . . .

the time when she will be less baby and more toddler

and then less toddler and more little girl,

just like her brother before her.

I could envisage . . .

the times in the future

when they are real, true, proper play mates and friends.

I'm looking forward to those times,

but I really don't want to wish away that baby stage.

I love that she is growing up

and learning new things all the time.

But the baby bit is so fleeting,

and even more so with a second baby it would seem,

so I am determined to hold on to it and enjoy it.

I know that in a flash where we are right now

will seem like a million moons ago,

and I want to have enjoyed every second.