Changing Seasons

I first started noticing the changes during the many flights we took this summer.

As we waited to board I would see families around me, strollers pilled high with diapers bags and babies being rocked to sleep over shoulders of parents who warily glanced around at their fellow passengers.

There were several young families like this, whose gaze passed right over our family, to lock eyes with each other, understanding and solidarity passing between them.

We used to be a part of that club, seeking out the other families with small babies, feeling sympathetic and instantly bonded to those, like us, just trying to survive.

And now, here we are.

Traveling without a stroller or diaper bag.

Each little girl carrying her own backpack, holding a hand as we walk through the busy terminal.

Ruby turned 3 last week and just like that, she's pooping in the potty and noticeably absent from the room is her diaper pail and the baskets which contained pull-ups and wipes.

Nana bought Ruby a big girl bed for her birthday and it arrived on Friday.

And now there is an even more tangible evidence to our changing seasons.

We no longer have a crib mattress in the house, which means I got rid of a stack of crib sheets and crib mattress covers and the training potty is on its way out as well.

And speaking of changing seasons, the weather has finally turned here in Kansas.

The slightly cooler temperatures with rain filled skies have invigorated me.

And it reminds me that change is good. 

Necessary even.

It seems we've entered a new phase of life.

I knew we'd get here, I just couldn't see past the exhausting day to day.

Little things gleam at me like little jewels.

Walking down the sidewalk without pushing a stroller or baby wearing or carrying a diaper bag, totally unencumbered.

Blow drying my hair whenever I want.

Being able to actually use some of those activities I saw on Pinterest.

Many of my friends are in the height of their baby making careers while we made "no more babies" a permanent choice in our house this summer.

Part of me is sad that I won't be in that expectant mommy sorority anymore.

However, this new place we find ourselves in is pretty wonderful.

I'm going to say it: the best so far.