Channeling Britney for that title, just a little bit.
It’s become apparent in the past week that Ophelia is not quite as baby-ish as I’ve imagined her. It’s like she’s grown up overnight. At only thirteen months, obviously she’s not about to move out or anything but, my goodness, this has happened quickly.
I don’t even mean as in the year has gone quickly. I mean that, somehow, the past two or three weeks have taken my little baby and turn her into a small child.
Suddenly, she is relentlessly working on walking every day. A few steps then a bum shuffle and a few more. I’m certain she’ll master it very soon.
Suddenly, she is jealous of her sister, pushing herself between us if I hug Talitha, trying to grab my breast out of her sister’s mouth (Talitha just finds this hilarious and we’ve agreed that we’ll just have to wait until Ophelia’s with Laurence or asleep), shoving herself onto my lap if Talitha’s there.
So far, Talitha hasn’t been bothered but Ophelia’s newfound possessiveness of me has emerged bold and strong, with no warning. It’s as if rapid neurological connections have been made and her sense of self has dramatically developed. She’s declaring: “I am me and you are my mama. You are MINE.”
Suddenly, she grabs a book and plants herself onto my lap as if she knows from seeing her sister that this is a good way to get my attention.
Suddenly, she points to things and babbles with such purpose, speaking so expressively with her hands, which makes me smile because I already recognise my own gestures, either learned or genetic.
Suddenly, she calls out for “Ra-Ra” – her name for Talitha – needing to know where her big sister is at all times.
Suddenly, she wants to get down and walk everywhere when we’re out – if only she could walk.
Is it that sudden or have I just been so distracted that her toddlerhood snuck up on me?
Suddenly, I remember that I must slow down because time won’t.
Ah this is such a lovely post, I can’t believe she’s 13 months already! I love that she copies her big sister, so cute xx
Fiona recently posted..Read All About It: Why Toddler Groups Should Stop Serving Juice
I feel like Elsa became a toddler overnight. One minute she was a squishy little baby and the next she was a walking, talking little girl. Now she’s a little person (19 months) and we can have little conversations, although 3 word sentences are her limit at the moment (Elsa no drink, Mummy do wee-wee). It’s so strange how quickly they can change!
Charlotte @ Educating Elsa recently posted..The Little Things 04.
First time round you’re so focused on just them and everything is so new, and there’s so much less time with the second isn’t there?. I was thinking today about how strange it is that at some point we’ll have two children running around and playing and talking kind of hard to visualise when one’s still very much a baby x
Such a sweet age but so exhausting! I remember mine loved walking around with me holding both their hands – crippling on your back!
Slummy single mummy recently posted..Louis Theroux: By Reason Of Insanity
They grow up ridiculously quickly, my youngest is just over 2 now, it has flown by, but strangely I can’t even really remember her being a baby, probably a lot to do with sleep deprivation 🙂
What a beautiful little girl! I love how she’s carving out her personality and making sure you know about it too!
abigail recently posted..St.Fagans part two
So beautifully written. And so true. Tiger is going to be 2 in a couple of weeks, it’s gone so fast. He still comes over to hug me too if Cherry is on me! x
Jess @ Along Came Cherry recently posted..The Bosinver Holiday Cottages and Horse Riding Sessions
i love the way you write, adele 🙂
laura redburn recently posted..new collage – a step in time
I remember this so well, one minute my daughter was a baby and then the next week she was a little girl with a big personality . So bittersweet x
Lindsay @ Newcastle Family Life recently posted..My Sunday Photo 29/03/15
I love the way you write. This is the sweetest post. I think the relationship between siblings is such a special one to witness – love Ophelia’s nickname for Talitha x
Lottie :: Oyster & Pearl recently posted..Interiors: Decorating for Easter