A good thing...right?

Yesterday, Emma took her first steps!  At 11 months old she is starting to walk.  Sitting at my mom's house we were talking about how close she was to walking so we tried to get her to do it, and she took 3 steps.  It was the cutest thing I have seen.  She was so proud of herself and just beamed from ear to ear.  She sort of looked at herself like, "whoa, what the heck did I just do and how do I do it again?"  It's amazing what a baby can learn in one day.  The 3 steps that she took just yesterday have now turned into about 10 today.  I am constantly in awe of how fast my kids pick things up, once they see it done and figure out how to do it, they have perfected it in a matter of hours.  I wish I could learn something that fast.  I am trying to convince myself that this is a good thing, she is walking.  To me, the fact that she is (or soon will be) walking is just one less thing that she needs me to do for her.  I LOVE babies, I always have...I wanted 6, I would still love to have more babies but I know that it won't happen.  The fact that my baby is turning less and less into one honestly makes me sad.  There is just no other word for it.  I have really struggled watching her grow up so fast.  I can not believe that just a short year ago, I was miserably sick and wishing that whole pregnancy experience away.  What I would give to have more time now to enjoy the movements of carrying a baby, and the joys of a newborn.  I am not in any way saying that I am not enjoying her now, because I do.  I love that she reaches for me or her dad when she sees us.  I love that she will lay on her tummy on the floor and watch a movie with her brothers.  I love that she says Mama and Dada and Yumm...  There are so many sweet things that she does that are simply adorable, that she would not be doing as a baby.  I am greatful for all three of my children and the things that they learn and accomplish each day.  I just feel as though time with them is slipping by too quickly.  With the boys in school all day the years just fly by.  I ENJOY being a mommy and I guess what my point is, is that the older your kids get, the less they need or want you around for a while.  Emma learning how to walk is a good thing right?  She is still a little girl who needs to have her mommy and I know that, but oh how I miss the baby days!  I guess that's why grandma's are born right?  I know it's a LOOOOOOONG ways off, but it is comforting to know that there will be other baby's in my future!  :)