Rachel Hollis Instagram – I get it now. I understand why so many older / wiser parents tried to offer me the same advice when I had my first baby. “Enjoy it. It goes by so fast”. Exhausted from lack of sleep, or lost in the parenting weeds, I couldn’t take this in. Because right then, it didn’t seem short. It felt looOOOOong. And overwhelming. But y’all, it really, really does go so fast. Pay careful attention to the parts of it that you love and do them as much as you can. I LOVED when my babies would fall asleep on my chest, but I’d read so many parenting books that told me it was a bad habit. I didn’t want to get their sleep schedule “wrong” so I’d put them in their crib instead of holding them like I wanted to. If I could go back in time and do it again, I’d sit with them for HOURS. I’d spend whole days with my newborns snuggled up on my chest; their legs tucked underneath them like a roast chicken. I’d soak up every single second because I’d know there would be a day when they’d be taller than me and they’d be old enough to drive and we’re looking at colleges and buying sneakers in size 11 and I’d never again get to hold that little roast chicken baby. This stage is wonderful —my favorite so far actually— but every part of our journey was fleeting and I wish I’d appreciated that a bit more while I was in it. So be graceful with yourself Mama and graceful with your babies… every stage is new and precious for both of you. 🤟🏻