I admit I’m having a hard time making the transition from mothering little kids to mothering big kids.
Eloise is providing intensive training for me but admittedly I am a slow learner. Perhaps I am just a reluctant learner. Perhaps I am just not ready.
But I look at her beautiful face that isn’t the face of a little girl anymore and I know she needs me in a different way than her sisters.
I need to stop grouping her with Esther. Yes, they have many of the same needs, but Eloise at times now needs something a little different.
More popular music, hipper clothing, grown-up hair, lip gloss.
She spends more time giggling with friends, going to sleep-overs and asking to do more on her own.
She also puts her baby sister in her high-chair, gets her ready for her bath, puts her in her pajamas and reads her a bedtime story.
When I take a shower she tells me that she is in charge and will take care of everything.
And she does.
She even does dishes. But doesn’t change diapers.
I find her in different corners of the house reading books. She keeps a book in almost every room and usually has 4 going at once. She loves to talk to me about some of the stories but not about others.
I found a picture she drew of a heart with a boys name in it.
So I try to change with her and let her spread her wings a bit, develop her own sense of style, and try to pick my battles carefully.
I am not sure she knows she is teaching me far more than I am teaching her at this point.
But what I do know is that every night before bed when she kisses me goodnight she tells me how much she loves me and it reassures me that I must be doing something right.
Oh sweet friend! This was lovely. *She* is lovely. And *you* are exactly what she needs!
I’m counting on you to help me through this when I go through it way too soon!
XO
Oh this age is so lovely, you will enjoy it so much my friend.
Beautiful, lovely girl! How do they grow up so fast? My heart skipped a beat at the paper with the boy’s name thinking of what it will be like to find one of those. But yes, those precious hugs & kisses…you are definitely doing something right!
Melanie H. recently posted..Potpourri
Not quite ready for the boy thing..as sweet as the picture was..
Amazing. Lovely. And really caught me off guard as I have been trying to write a post on a similar topic tonight.
Just an FYI that the boy was not your son. If it was, look for Jed at your door soon.
This post hit home with me. My babies are 10 and 11 3/4. Eloise is amazingly mature! You must be doing an awesome job with these changes. And she is a beautiful girl, all of the pictures were excellent…the last one though showing her earring is absolutely fantastic! She looks like she’s in a magazine! I love watching your girls blossom.
Beautiful photo’s, beautiful words …
It goes so fast, just flying on by.
Chelsea turned 13 in January, I felt my world change.
But when she snuggles and cuddles, its the same and different at the same time …
Love ya …
Love to hear about cuddles at 13!
My kids are going through this same transition. It is definitely a learning experience and hard to let go.
Kristin_OPC recently posted..Tardy to the Party Ultimate Blog Party 2011
Don’t you hate how they grow up so fast. My seven year old was watching the Kids Choice Awards on Nick the other night. She was dancing to “Whip My Hair Back and Forth” and “Tonight’s Going to be a Good, Good Night” I’m not ready for that. She knows all the words. Does she even know what she is singing? What other songs does she know? I wasn’t expecting this yet. I want my little girl BACK! Quit growing up! Growing pains. I know moms experience them too.
Love ya,
Your Utah Friend,
Tina
Tina recently posted..Last Cake Standing
So sweet! This reminded me of my 7yo except the part about writing boys names, I haven’t seen any of that – yet.
Jessica recently posted..The Garden – Part 1
Wow…what a great set of photos first of all. It’s hard to watch them change but also it’s so necessary. She’s going to be a tall drink of water like her mom, huh?
I never had a girly girl…not sure what i would have done with one either.
Best of luck to you and your lovely child(ren)!
Lynn MacDonald (All Fooked Up) recently posted..In which chatting drains my brain
Her dad is 6’4″ – yes she is about 4’7″ already – and all of 45 lbs..at EIGHT!
Lord have mercy when the day comes that I need to deal with hipper clothes on my girls! #HoldMe
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Just please for the love of god, stay away from Justice.
Amen to that! That store frightens me…
Melanie H. recently posted..Potpourri
She is stunning girl! What an awesome outfit too!
Erin recently posted..Our 3 Year Over Due Spending Spree
You are exactly what she needs-amazing to see the changes happening before our very eyes! Did you use your new camera on these shots? GORGEOUS.
maybaby recently posted..recipe box Wednesday
Beautiful post about your beautiful girl. My boys are still very young, and even though I dream (Dream!) about the day they need me a little less, the day I get a little more freedom, I also live in constant fear of that day. Growing up is hard all around. :-/
Stacey recently posted..Curses
Oh my goodness, she seemed to “look” older with every picture! She’s just beautiful. And I know what you mean. Even “7″ is freaking me out over here a little!
Elaine recently posted..Birthday Smiles & Sparklers!
Oh my gosh. She is gorgeous. So grown up looking. Please tell me she is WAY older than 9. Please. Although in boy years I think 9 is really more like 6, right, so I’ve got time!
Dumb Mom recently posted..Mother’s Day Gifts for Awesome Moms- Tiny Prints & Cupcakes
She s 8! 8!!!! Her father owns many guns.
Our babies, so old, so fast.
Your words here, are as beautiful as the photos.
Lovely to read, and look at.
ah, she’s a beauty. And those teenage years are better than everyone says.
Michelle L. recently posted..MattCodye Lily
Secretly, I am excited for them!
She is so gorgeous! I am fearing the growing up stages, even with my 5 year old. He’s just not my little “baby” anymore, and it’s so, so hard! I fear the lip gloss and cool clothes days, but it sounds like you’re doing it just right. You rock mama!
Ashley @ Just Another Mom Of 2 recently posted..Why bother blogging
She is beautiful! I don’t know how I will handle it when my boys start getting older.
You are about 10 times more awesome than I am letting her wear dangle earrings. lol
Only for non-gym days. Oh how she loves those!
She is beautiful! And, very hip.
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