6 weeks and one day ago, we were a family of 6. Then, our sweet girl arrived, making us a family of 7. Life will never be the same, but that’s a good thing, because she has improved life in so many ways.

6 weeks old has always been a “favorite” stage of mine. I’m not exactly sure why, but I think it has something to do with realizing how quickly time is passing. When my firstborn turned 7 weeks old, I cried because 6 weeks was gone. When the next turned 7 weeks old, my heart was heavy because 6 weeks was gone.

Today starts 6 weeks, and I am marveling at this little girl. I am torn between the fact that she’s only been here for 6 weeks, and feeling like she has forever been apart of us. She doesn’t have that newborn look anymore, she stays awake quite a bit, and still needs lots of cuddle time.

We have as much of a routine as I ever get going. We can concur school, most of the major housework (there are always a few cobwebs that get missed…), and even run errands. The boys are all used to her, and have their own ways of helping with her, or the house.

Time is fleeting though. She is changing every day, and she brings to life the reality of how big all of these boys are. I will embrace this week, as I hope I’ve done well with the ones past, and will do with the future weeks. I will try to not be weepy next Monday, when I realize this week is over.

I will wear this sweet girl in our sling as long as she’ll let me. Because the truth is, for as much as she needs me and cries for me, I need her too. She was my go-everywhere-buddy for 9 months. Adjusting to not having her growing and kicking on the inside takes a little while, just like she has to adjust to being outside, too.

Maybe, one of these days, I’ll finish her birth story too. It truly is beautiful and I think about her grand entrance into our lives quite often.

What is happening in your life that makes you realize how quickly time passes? Are you taking these moments for granted or embracing them?