Oh, Baby!

Yesterday I found myself telling a friend that the newborn stage just wasn't my favorite...yet, then I came home and snuggled my baby, gave him kisses, laughed when he made funny faces, tickled his tiny little toes, watched his eyes while he nursed, played with his itty-bitty fingers, smiled when his daddy started in with the goofy baby-talk that only a baby can get a grown man to make, and watched as his siblings squealed with joy just because he flashed a 2-second smile their way.  How can I not love this stage?  Yes, it's hard (and we're all tired and talking backwards), but just look at all of those priceless moments that happened--all in one day!  Can you imagine trying to count the moments that occur in just the first three months?!?

Then I started to think about each of the others.  My dear 3.5 year old who is fun to read to, really fun to talk to (her point of view is often...funny), and well, she's just adorable.  And my 6-year old, who is finding out what she really likes to do, discovering talents and abilities, likes to be with me and help me, and is growing like a weed.  Finally, my 8-year old,  in that stage between little kid and pre-teen.  Wondering if he wants to be tough or run to mom.  Reading with and talking to him about his opinions has become interesting and sometimes deep, compared to the just fun conversations of yesteryear. 

So far, each stage is very different (and has been different with each child as well), yet when I think very hard about it (not reactionary due to being woken up at that moment), there isn't a harder/easier stage, or a more fun stage, or a better stage.  All stages teach me something and require effort, and have moments of wonder in them.  Yes, I think I can safely say (now that I've napped) that I love them all.