Eloise was sad last week and she involuntarily moved to my lap for comfort. Strange how that felt already at just 7 years old. She is long and angular and bony. Her limps don’t fold up and mold into a place in my lap. Her lean body hangs over the sides, her feet touch the floor and her sharp elbows impale my ribs. I try to snuggle her close, but she resists a bit – already getting too old for full body hugs and snuggles. She jumps off of my lap quickly realizing she just doesn’t fit like she used to.
******
Dear Astrid,
I savor these moments with you baby girl. The quiet moments in the dark early morning when it is just the 2 of us. We watch the early, early news. I beer-bong sip my coffee and I snuggle you up on my lap. Rubbing your sweet, chubby baby thighs, kissing your delicious cheeks and quietly counting your 10 little toes.
But all too soon, you wiggle out of my arms. Down on the floor exploring. Crawling towards toys, toddling towards the chair across the room, chasing the cat. Occasionally looking behind to see if I am there. Sometimes bringing toys back for me to see. A bump on the head brings you back to my embrace though. But with a quick kiss and snuggle, you are gone again.
All too soon.
So I am almost literally eating up these last few months of your babyhood. You are becoming a toddler all too soon. In your actions, your body, your temperament. Some days these moments seem to last forever and I wish away again those days of whining, the hours of crying and the nights of screams. But like a wink, they are gone. And in there place is this being that I almost do not recognize. This child that doesn’t fit into the crook of my arm or barely on my lap anymore. This child that I carried everywhere just wants to be free and roam.
Watching this happen, I know I have done my job, but it still makes me sad.
So please baby girl, don’t grow up so fast. 13 months is still an itty bitty baby in my book. You have many years ahead of you to run and play and leave your momma. So just give me a few more months of snuggle time.
Love you,
Mom
Linking up with Darcy at sweet shot tuesday.
Precious, precious & my sentiments exactly! Astrid looks scrumptious in that dress, I’m hoping ours arrives soon!
What a beautiful tribute to your daughter. Someday, she’ll look back on that, and absolutely beam, knowing that her mom loved her that much. Thanks for sharing.
Awwww, don’t grow, little Astrid!! And Tracy, the third picture down is simply fabulous!!!
Monika recently posted..Lil Blue Boo
Ugh, it’s early… I meant the second picture down. And why the heck is there a Lil Blue Boo link attached to my comment?
So very sweet. Every stage is special. You will miss 7 years old too.
Jessa recently posted..WISH i was on HOLIDAY – Petroglyphs
She is sooo precious. My favorite stage is between ages 1 and 2. I love the pics of her eating the stem. And, that last one with her little curl of hair in the back.
Rachelle recently posted..Proud to be a Hanson!
What gorgeous pictures! And such a beautiful blog post.
Those quiet times with your baby when the rest of the house is still sleeping are such precious moments. It can be hard for me to wake up with my 3 month old, but once I do I cherish that quiet time.
Yvonne recently posted..Yoga Makes the Family Come Round
Astrid is such a beautiful baby. These pictures are excellent! All of your girls are beauties! And they are so sweet, too.
I’m with you, why do they insist on growing up so quickly? I tell Kelley and Bethany all the time to slow it down, that they have their whole life ahead of them to be adults and do their own thing. And that it isn’t nearly as fun as it seems. But they don’t believe me…insisting on growing up. I’ve been looking for some sort of “growth stunting juice” or anything similar since Kelley was a baby, haven’t found it yet. *sigh*
Delicious! I think we need a hair bow for that sweet little curl on her head. And she makes an excellent MJ model!
kp recently posted..blogging break
Seriously Tracy, I have to know. Do you try hard to get those knock your socks off eyes in your photos, do you post process, or are you just a natural at getting your kids to look into the light in just the right way. What baby blues!
Aw, thank you. Monika – Where have you been? I have missed you…and it picks up your latest post when you comment.. You are so sweet to compliment my photos!
Thank you all for the sweet words. Yes, I bet I will miss 7 also….
Tracy – I do not do much post processing. I do not own photoshop. I only brighten and sharpen…but do nothing with colors or lighting. I have to say that blue eyes are much easier to catch the light in then brown/hazel. I have a much harder time with Eloise.
xoxo,t
tracy recently posted..Astrid 13 months…
Oh the tears..love this post..she is precious..babies grow up too fast. Give her lots of snuggles.
oh sweet baby, look at her sweet curl in the back!
Amanda M. recently posted..The GW Desk
how can I comment on this after reading the whole cat puke post?
Hang on to those babies. Sniff. I’ve decided to just cry all day today.
Michelle L. recently posted..sweet things
My baby is about to turn one and so I can relate to the wonder and amazement of time flying by. And I did also read the vomit post–if you could call it that. As soon as I saw the word “worms” then I had to scan it. I peeked out from behind my fingers. So gross… But you’re blog is lovely
Stopping by from the Blog Hop!
She reminds me a lot of my daughter. I feel like they would be friends.
And I know it’s like I’m beating a dead horse, but the dresses you put her in are SO cute!!!!!! I think I’ve told you that like 6 times at this point! haha
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