Babies Don't Keep

I used to see a poem embroidered and framed in different homes when I was a little girl, similar to the one in the link.  It often showed a mom, hair pulled up, sitting in a rocking chair with her apron on, rocking an infant. I didn't think that much about it, but remembered the gist after all these years. 

Last year I googled it so I could find it in its entirety (I could only remember something about dust and cobwebs having to wait because the baby didn't keep).  I also referenced it in last year's Christmas letter, saying that babies don't keep so we are enjoying all four of our 'babies.'

So it's probably clear that now  I think this poem is so endearing and precious.  And it is!  Especially after watching my 4th baby go from 8 lbs. 9 oz on Jan. 8th, 2010, to a whopping 23 pounds at 15 1/2 months now, who is already trying his feet at walking!

It goes too quickly.  This poem is not just an easy scapegoat for poor housekeeping skills.  Babies don't keep, so I will rock and play with my baby.  I love you, Carter!

Here is the poem:
Mother, O Mother, come shake out your cloth,

Empty the dustpan, poison the moth,
Hang out the washing, make up the bed,
Sew on a button and butter the bread.

Where is the mother whose house is so shocking?
She’s up in the nursery, blissfully rocking.

Oh, I’ve grown as shiftless as Little Boy Blue,
Lullabye, rockabye, lullabye loo.
Dishes are waiting and bills are past due
Pat-a-cake, darling, and peek, peekaboo

The shopping’s not done and there’s nothing for stew
And out in the yard there’s a hullabaloo
But I’m playing Kanga and this is my Roo
Look! Aren’t his eyes the most wonderful hue?
Lullabye, rockaby lullabye loo.

The cleaning and scrubbing can wait till tomorrow
But children grow up as I’ve learned to my sorrow.
So quiet down cobwebs; Dust go to sleep!
I’m rocking my baby and babies don’t keep.

- Ruth Hulbert Hamilton


My own adorable Carter has grown so quickly I can hardly believe it.  Here are pictures of him from 0-15 months.

Carter, two days old on the trip home from the hospital. 
Give him room, folks.  He's thinkin.' 
January  '10

Holding his head up on the boppy (my mom made that boppy cover)
February  '10

In his baby blessing outfit.  Sweet, sweet Carter.
March  '10

Hanging out with Nathan. 
April  '10

In his Sunday best (from tia Ana!). 
May  '10

Carter showing off those startling blue eyes, playing in his exercauser
(which my mom recovered for me, by hand!)
June  '10

I took this in Lehi, UT behind some old stores on old main street.
What a handsome redhead.
July  '10

Chewing on the steering wheel.  He's already chomping at the bit to drive!
August  '10

Sitting pretty on a Sunday morning.
September  '10

I think this was his first time in a swing. 
(Notice how beautiful the weather is in SoCal this late in the year.
And yes, you can be jealous)  ; )
October  '10

Carter was not huge on the whole camping experience at first.
November  '10

Professional pictures thanks to Grandpa Cropper 
December  '10



I didn't have the heart for that first haircut yet! 
January  '11





Carter's a pro at my cell phone, the Ipod...  Look at his curly hair in the back! 

Another reason I didn't want to cut it. 
February  '11





Jamming with Grandpa Wilson
March  '11



First Easter Egg Hunt--in his jammies
April  '11





Another April '11 pic--
Notice how adept Carter is with pushing buttons on electronic devices. 
This one is a little Connect 4 game that all the kids love.





Yet another Apr '11 pic of li'l Mr. Carter at an Easter Egg party.

Walking.  See what I mean that 'babies don't keep'?!?