"...it goes by in the blink of an eye"

I have never liked it when people said:

Enjoy every moment with your kids, because it goes by in the blink of an eye.

That bothers me for a few reasons.

First, I never am one to respond very well to "been-there-done-than-and-therefore-know-more-than-you-and-need-to-tell-you-that" advice.

Second, it kind of implies that I didn't already know that.

Third, to me it always kind of insinuates that the person saying it thinks you aren't enjoying it enough.

And fourth, of course, it bothers me because I already knew it was true.

So we do try to enjoy every moment.  To savor the questions.  To inhale the curiosity.  To put aside the stress of raising kids as much as possible and just take it all in.

Some days we do a better job at it than others.

And then you take a picture like this.  And are struck by just how fast it's going.

My first-born.  My little baby.  You suddenly look like a real boy.  A big boy.  You have really become your own person.

You, who says you still thinks girls are gross, but I can tell by a glimmer in your eye that isn't all-together the truth.

You, who threw a fit this morning because I forgot to set your alarm to play Minnesota Public Radio when you woke up.

You who has a mind full of mature thoughts and questions.
You are becoming you.

And I am doing my best to take it all in and enjoy every moment.

Because I already know how fast it is going.

Now please put the water gun down and don't you dare spray me and my nice camera.

Thanks.

Mom