I wanted to take the girls to the park, but it’s threatening to rain, and even thundering once in awhile, so I decided against it in favour of a short walk and a ring pop at the store.
As we walked, I noticed how tall Vivian is getting-how “child” like she is now instead of nubby toddler. She is a little girl in the truest sense of the word. And yet again I am at a loss to know where the time has gone.
Yes, I talk of this often. Because it melts my brain a little. I don’t understand how I can suddenly turn around and have a child standing there in place of a baby. But I also don’t understand how it can feel like an eternity at the same time. Where before we listened to Kronos Quartet as I swayed with her in my arms, now she demands Legion of Superheroes as her TV treat and can talk to me all about the JLA. She likes Regina Spektor, but not Sarah Harmer. I can no longer sing Tori Amos songs to calm her. She wants what she wants, and I’m slowly learning to begin to let go, even if just a little bit.
I’m beginning to no longer grieve this movement. Instead I’m fascinated by it-the person she’s becoming, the helpful little girl she can be, the model for proper behaviour she can be for her sister. (Today, Rosalyn walked for awhile with Vivian in the stroller, and she picked up garbage just as Vivian usually does. So cute!) Her imagination is blossoming, s evidenced by her “pretend friends” this morning-Purple Donkey the Dog and Soccer Ball the cat.
It makes me snickergiggle.
Maybe this is the secret to living. Just absorbing what you can, and sitting still for the moments that matter. Maybe it’s just knowing what a hippo slam is. (A hippo hitting the wall for those of you also wondering)
Sure, she’s full of whining and tantruming, but that’s more to do with us as parents than her. We can beat that, and make sure that the sweetness that lies beneath comes to light.
Spin Me I Pulsate 
it amazing how children grows and change.
These days keep you afloat, don’t they? They sure do for me. Loved reading this.
i loved reading this too…we’re just beginning to touch the edges of that kind of independence (mostly expressed thus far in tantrums, yeh, good times) but i love the emergence of personality i can see in my boy.
though i gotta say…i’m sure Vivian’s fabulous, but seriously…no Sarah Harmer?
perhaps her ears are damaged. 😉
“…Maybe this is the secret to living. Just absorbing what you can, and sitting still for the moments that matter. Maybe it’s just knowing what a hippo slam is. (A hippo hitting the wall for those of you also wondering)…”
That is the best line ever… that is truly the secret of life.
You’ve made a young twenty-something with lots of ambitions that don’t include children long for a child of my own. Thanks for that. Beautiful writing.
I love Soccer Ball the cat. Reminds me of a kid I used to know who named the baby in her mommy’s tummy “Cup.”
Ah Larien, that’s so sweet.
Vivian’s behaviour has been a LOT better as of late.
I know, I feel the same way–my son is becoming a person. Okay, a person with the attention span of a gnat, but a person, nonetheless. It’s fascinating to observe.
Bon-I have no idea where the Sarah harmer hate comes from. I really don’t.
Landismom-it’s so awesome isn’t it. bad days and all.