I took this picture of Sam last summer, only 9 or 10 months ago. He was almost 2. At the time, I was amazed at how mature he looked, and in my head I think I said something like, "This is what big boy Sam looks like."
But then Thursday I took this picture. He's 2 1/2 now. Is this even the same child? He looks completely different now.
I took this picture of John in the hospital 9 1/2 months ago. At the time. I was so pleased with myself because it looked exactly like him (and with Sam, my every effort was thwarted).
But look at him now. Red curls? 4 teeth? Where did this child come from?
I have loved every single second with my boys (and I have been there for most of them), but every time I compare pictures several months apart, I feel the cold slap of regret. Why didn't I pay better attention? How could I not have noticed how much they were growing and changing? And then, I regret ever uttering the words, "When they're bigger..." By the time the words are out of my mouth, they're bigger already!
ah, wait a few years and then look back at the pictures. it is heartbreaking. i can't imagine my nearly 14 yo ever had roundness in his cheeks, but there it is, in pictures i remember taking while thinking what a mature look he had then.
ReplyDeletebut it is good to appreciate them at every stage, imagine how our parents feel now, watching their children have children themselves....
Those pictures are absolutely beautiful!
ReplyDeleteI take a ton of pictures of my little girl and every time I look back, I'm amazed at how much she's grown up right before my eyes when I'm not paying attention.