Easing Up - Then vs Now

When Little L entered our lives, things got noticeably harder. It became very challenging for us to do many of the activities that we had grown accustomed to, from sleeping in to going out for dinner to traveling anywhere, be it the park or the aquarium or a friend's house. At the time, we climbed that steep learning curve and wondered if things would ever get easier. Fast forward three and a half years, and the answer is a resounding YES!! (Praise the Lord).

THEN
Sleeping in short interrupted bursts of time at all hours of the day
vs
NOW
Sleeping upwards of 10 consecutive hours with minimal disruption

THEN
Hauling a 30+ pound combination of baby and car seat/carrier from place to place
vs
NOW
Little L walks (and occasionally asks to be picked up when Hubbs is around)

Daddy's turn to watch her while I inhaled my pork belly

THEN
Going out to dinner meant one of us ate first, while the other entertained/consoled a fussing infant
vs.
NOW
We all eat our restaurant food together, and there is a period of 10-20 minutes of dining quietude

THEN
The diaper bag was stuffed full of diapers, formula, wipes, toys, extra clothing, extra blankies, and a million other things that seemed indispensable at the time
vs
NOW
My Stella & Dot "diaper bag" tote has a change of clothes, some snacks and water, hand sanitizer and an iPad

Somebody wanted out of her robe...STAT

THEN
There was no way to reason with, or bribe, Little L to behave better
vs
NOW
Candy is one of several incentives we have used, along with time-ins and consequences (e.g. loss of privileges), to guide Little L's decision-making and choice of conduct

THEN
Going anywhere, be it the doctor's office or to buy groceries, was a stressful even that required some forethought and planning
vs
NOW
We can spontaneously decide to do things like take a trip across the border without even blinking an eye

"Playing"

 THEN
One-sided conversations with my baby weren't all that amusing
vs
NOW
Two-way conversations are sometimes silly, sometimes serious, and sometimes stressful - but never dull

THEN
Little L couldn't be left alone with anyone save for me and a handful of family with whom she felt comfortable and familiar
vs
NOW
We were even able to pop her in the church "nursery" for a full service without any tears or anxiety (she was, in fact, a bit reluctant to leave when church had wrapped)

THEN
Diapers always required some sort of family bathroom with a changing table to deal with
vs
NOW
She pees and poops on a grown-up potty, and tells me before she has an accident

THEN
I sat in the back of the vehicle to try to keep Little L entertained and happy
vx
NOW
Little L orders me into the front seat because she prefers to sit alone and be chauffeured

THEN
So much anxiety about her eating random garbage off the floor, or hurting herself at the playground
vs
NOW
She knows to avoid ingesting inedible things, and she is mindful of her own safety (for the most part)

Yes, my girl is definitely growing up, and things are easing up for us, too! While I miss the adorable chubby cheeks and teeny tiny little babe who once snuggled up and slept on my chest, there is 0% of me that misses the challenges of our early years together :P