Today, we put our baby’s bottles away. For the past few weeks, our little one has been doing things that make her feel more and more like a toddler. Her first birthday was just last week, and suddenly, she’s so grown up.

Ever since becoming a mom, I’ve said that I feel like there’s no concept of time anymore. It’s so tough to keep up with their rapid growth. So many “firsts” come and go in that first year, and you do everything you can to just soak it all in. But before you know it, you blink, and they’re hitting new milestones at a speed that feels impossible to keep up with.

As a mom who currently works full time, it’s tough not to feel like time is slipping through my fingers. Our days start early — usually around 5 am — and our little one wakes up shortly after that, just enough to give us time to get ready for work. By 6:45 am, we’re out the door for daycare drop-off. I don’t pick her up until around 5 pm, and then before we know it, it’s time for her to go to bed at 7 pm. That leaves us with only about 3.5 hours of real time together every day.

Mornings are rushed — getting everyone fed, dressed, and out the door on time. I often linger a little longer at daycare drop-off, just to catch a glimpse into what her day might look like. Even after work, time is limited. We have to get dinner on the table, manage bath time, and get ready for bed, all while trying to be fully present. 

But both my husband and I are committed to making the most of the time we do have. We try to keep the TV off and our phones down, so we can focus on playing, reading, and laughing together. Those little moments are everything.

I now look forward to weekends more than ever. We try not to fill them up with too many activities. Instead, we focus on simple, meaningful things — like going for walks, playing at the park, or taking a trip to the library. Now that she’s old enough to enjoy these outings, it’s such a joy to see her explore and experience the world around her.

I hold her close, not ready for her to grow even one more inch. Watching her personality unfold is an incredible experience. Each step forward brings me so much pride and joy, but there’s a part of me that wishes I could freeze time and keep her little for just a little longer.

In this first year as her mama, I’ve learned something important: every stage is a treasure.

To all the mamas out there who feel the same way — who look at their growing baby and wonder how they got so big, so fast — I want to remind you that it’s okay to feel both pride and sadness. It’s okay to long for the days when they were tiny, but it’s also okay to be excited about the beautiful person they’re becoming.

I know so many mamas out there whose kids are mostly grown, might be feeling this more than ever. As my baby keeps growing I am going to try to remember this lesson and cherish all moments and stages down the road.