Hi guys, sorry we’ve been totally MIA. We’re soaking up the time and enjoying our little one as much as we can, and he’s keeping us busy, too. Now that Wyatt is back at work, I’m on full time momma duty at home, not to mention I’m starting back to work myself as I try and get caught up for my various clients after taking some much-needed time off. Still, we’re planning to keep on sharing our life and DIYs with you, we’re just moving a little slower in getting things done…and documented.

Today, I wanted to share a little print I made for the nursery. If there’s one thing I’ve learned so far in this motherhood journey, it’s that it goes way too fast. How is my tiny boy already so big?

And still, I sometimes find myself feeling too busy to just sit in the quiet and watch him sleep. Of course, we’re also trying to let him sleep in his crib as much as possible, and we know it’s important that he gets enough rest every day so it’s not a fun matter when he’s just so tired and fussy that we have to hold him and bounce him for what seems like hours to put him to sleep…but, even if those moments, I find myself repeating the phrase “babies don’t keep…” over to myself.

Why? My mom had the last portion of the following poem on the wall in her house for our entire childhood. In fact, it’s still there, hanging in the upstairs bedroom my sister used to sleep in. I’ve always thought it was a lovely sentiment…

Mother, oh mother, come shake out your cloth!
Empty the dustpan, poison the moth,
Hang out the washing and butter the bread,
Sew on a button and make up a bed.
Where is the mother whose house is so shocking?
She’s up in the nursery, blissfully rocking!

Oh, I’ve grown as shiftless as Little Boy Blue
(Lullaby, rockaby, lullaby, loo).
Dishes are waiting and bills are past due
(Pat-a-cake, darling, and peek, peekaboo).
The shopping’s not done and there’s nothing for stew
And out in the yard there’s a hullabaloo
But I’m playing Kanga and this is my Roo.
Look! Aren’t her eyes the most wonderful hue?
(Lullaby, rockaby, lullaby loo.)

Oh, cleaning and scrubbing will wait till tomorrow,
But children grow up, as I’ve learned to my sorrow.
So quiet down, cobwebs. Dust, go to sleep.
I’m rocking my baby. Babies don’t keep.

-Ruth Hulburt Hamilton

Now that I’m a mother, it’s even more sweet. I know I have SO MUCH to look forward to with our sweet boy, from his first steps to his future favorite activities. Soccer games, band practice…whatever it is he’s into. Still, it’s hard to not already feel as if some of the best days are behind us. I absolutely KNOW that’s not true, but when you’re snuggling a little one who seems to grow too much every day, it can be hard to remember in the moment.

For now, I’m just focusing on savoring every moment and every phase. We’re already moving past the newborn phase and into the baby phase. The newborn phase was HARD, but wonderful, and the days ahead are promising to be the same….as every phase will be I’m sure. All the way up to when I’m watching my grown son start off on his own in the world.

As a special reminder, for myself, and for you, I made the following little printable. You can share it online, and/or print it out. Just remember, it’s for personal use only. I don’t own the rights to the poem, and neither do you, so it can’t be sold.

To print, right click on the image and save it. Then print as normal.

What are some of the most special memories I have to look forward to? I’m already planning trips to the zoo, the park, the library–toddlers and big kids are fun, for sure! (But babies are just so special!)