Today was my baby’s last day of being one.
Last year I didn’t really take the time to appreciate her birthday as a milestone. Maybe because I was partially comatose from sleep deprivation and in part because we were so busy planning a big bash. This year, the party is a lot smaller, and I am more keenly aware of how fast she’s growing up.
It seems fitting tonight, that unlike every other night she wanted to sleep in our bed (just for old times sake?) and she now lies next to me, breathing heavily and occasionally kicking the keyboard.
I’ve loved the last year as she became a confident walker, a prolific talker, a superstar tantrum thrower, a sensitive soul and an affectionate creature. I’ve also had my share of frustration – I’ve raised my voice, used harsh words and today I even threw a stuffed toy. None of these things end well, for me or her. I hope that the good far outweighs the bad and that her experience of her second year is far more filled with tickle fights, trampolines, chasies, book reading and games than with anything else. So my goal for her third year is to manage my emotions better so we don’t have another stuffed toy incident. It’s not that I don’t want to be frustrated around her – because it’s good for her to see me frustrated – I just think I’d be teaching her a hell of a lot more if I handled it in a healthy way rather than victimising innocent stuffed animals.
But for me, most of those frustrations and irrittions are just blips in what has been a joyful year. I love that when she gets scared, she still buries her face in my chest. I love that when she’s had a bad dream, she still comes into our bed and while she’s asleep wraps both of her pudgy arms around my neck. I love that we can have conversations now and she is quite possibly one of the cheekiest creatures on the planet. Because as much as I might bemoan the end of babydom – it’s really the beginning of a relationship as two separate people.
Because let’s face it, she’ll always be my baby.
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Happy birthday lovely Riley. Congratulations Zoey..-= Treacy´s last blog ..writers block – need your help =-.
Happy birthday lovely Riley. Congratulations Zoey..-= Treacy´s last blog ..writers block – need your help =-.
(sniff) The milestone from 1 to 2 was bittersweet for me (as evidenced by the fact that I am totally weepy after reading this post). Happy birth day to you both
I’m sure you all had a lovely day. My little boy turns two in two weeks. I love two-year-olds. But I’m always melancholic about their birthdays too..-= Marilyn at live first, write later´s last blog ..How to meet a deadline when it looks like a lost cause =-.
You put it perfectly when you wrote; “a relationship as two separate people”. Wow, I never thought of it that way, well not so succinctly. The evolution from mother&child to mother AND child, and then…hopefully…as adults Zoey and Riley. Two whole people who still choose to be together, not only family but, as friends..-= Amber´s last blog ..Stupid Stupid Stupid =-.
If it’s only stuffed toys getting hurt then I think all is well. We’ve had a few plush toy incidents ourselves. Life happens. And kids grow up. And my kids, 5 and 7, are still my babies, even if they roll their eyes when I tell them this!
It’s bittersweet, watching them grow up. Amy is almost 4, she’s starting school in February and she growls at me if I kiss her too much. Le sigh.
I love this post. So moving and beautiful! What an important relationship! Thanks for sharing it!
What a real and touching post.
Awww. Yes, they will always be our babies. Sniff.
My youngest will be two next month, and like you my heart is breaking just a little bit.
Happy Birthday Riley!