I blinked. And I missed it.
I looked at Ashleigh the other day, and realised it had happened.
She’s not a toddler anymore. No remaining trace of baby or infant.
I blinked. And I missed it. The moment my girl grew up.
She’s a person. A little girl. A big girl.
She’s herself. She grows more into herself every day.
I’m getting to know her every day.
I’ll be getting to know her every day for the rest of my life.
What a privileged life I lead.
She welcomed a new brother last year. That wasn’t the moment.
She had her fourth Christmas last year. That wasn’t the moment.
She started kinder last month. That wasn’t the moment.
I saw all of those moments, and more. I captured most of them.
But I blinked. I missed it. The moment my girl grew up.
And I’m glad I did.
Because I would have spent that moment mourning the loss of the toddler. The traces of baby and infant.
When I should have been embracing the arrival of Ashleigh the girl. The little girl.
The big girl.
My big little girl.
Has your child gone from baby to infant to toddler to child – and beyond? Have you ever blinked and missed that moment of transformation?
With a teen, I now see the adult on the horizon. And yet to me he’s still my baby, my adorable toddler and boy…and now a sweet teen (he’d hate me for that – shhh!) and soon to be a kind, intelligent man….yet I still feel the same, though I look older on the outside. Life is weird…
Oh, each stage is going to be like that, isn’t it? I’ll blink and miss them all. Yet always see her as my baby! Yes indeedy, life is weird.
My eldest son turns 25 this year… I still tell him when he needs a haircut and chip him about his swearing. He’ll always be my baby no matter how tall he gets 🙂
Haha, yep there’s that I suppose. Always those little things I’ll mother them about forever.
Oh yes! My little girl is turning 5 this year. Can. Not. Believe. It!
But you’re very right, we are indeed privileged to be able to be in their lives and watch them grow up 🙂
Ai @ Sakura Haruka
Yes, when we’re having a difficult day, I just have to remind myself that I’m lucky to be experiencing it!
Oh, Em! I was just thinking this the other day! For so long I saw my boys as toddlers now all of a sudden…BAM! They’re children. Children!
*sob, sob* I love this age though. I’m soaking every moment.
I’m loving it too. Mostly. Had an off day today, but they have to happen every now and then!
How gorgeous. And hats off to you for encouraging an early love of ironing!
Thanks! No encouragement needed – she asked for this ironing board for MONTHS. Santa received many, many letters about it.
Oh bloody hell. This is such a beautiful post. I have tears. Probably because I have a little girl around the same age. They grow us so fast. Love the bunny rabbit pic xx
Thanks Renee, that’s so lovely. Yes, that pic’s a favourite around here!
Yep, I’m with Renee – I felt this one!!! We always miss it, always. x
Thanks Bron. I’m realising that. Packed away a box of clothes. I missed the growing up, both metaphorically and physically!
Isn’t Kinder the best ever? My boy loves it SO much. Yes – blink and you miss it xx
Certainly is! She cries when she leaves. I’ve taken to reassuring the teachers that I’m not a horrible person.
Oh yes absolutely and I just felt it all over again reading your blink and miss moment xx
Thanks Sonia! I think I’ll be feeling it over and over again for the rest of my life.
Thank you for this I need this reminder as my little man approaches 4. I better keep my eyes open.
Wide open! Use matchsticks!
Yep it happens so fast, I am about to teach my oldest how to drive!!! Now thats scary…well that and all the boys sniffing around…lol