"Older Babies"

Riley and I have gone to a new mom's support group since she was about 6 weeks old. It's been wonderful. It got us out of the house which was very important after 2 weeks in the NICU and 2 more weeks of being forbidden to take my preemie anywhere. It gave me some valuable and trustworthy information and an appropriate place to vent. Most of all it introduced me to some truly amazing people. I love the lactation consultant who runs the group she helped me so much when I had my surgery and I made mom group my first outing once I was discharged. Not only that but moms from the group came over and brought meals to the house for the first two weeks once I was home. Time marches on and suddenly Riley is one of the "older babies." It's so bizarre because I remember sitting in a chair with my 6wk old sleeping peanut and thinking the babies crawling around on the floor where huge. I used to think "Gosh, I can't wait until you actually stay awake for this Riley." Not long after that I couldn't wait until she could sit and play at group. Soon after all the babies her age were crawling and cruising. We've hit all those milestones and now all the moms with tiny new babies thinks Riley is "huge." So, the moms and babies I watched with "someday" repeating in my brain have moved on to toddler appropriate pastors. Magically Riley and her buddies have replaced them as the older babies. Only it's more like Doctor Who than Saved by the Bell. This cast change means welcome introduction of new adventures. Riley and her friends are amazing little explorers. Exploration needs space and like so many things we may have outgrown our wonderful group. Our new mom's group has become very popular. So much so that there's no where to sit (big problem post back surgery) and your stroller is always blocked in when you're ready to go. The older babies decided to get together on our own this week. One play room 2 crawling/cruising girls, 2 walking boys, lots of toys, 4 mommies and warm chocolate chip cookies. Maybe Riley getting older isn't so bad. And thank God for digital cameras and good friends to applaud your ability to change a squirming baby in your lap while nursing.