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Tales from the crib: life with Sophie, Lilah, and Jude
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Friday, August 5, 2011

Hybrid

I’ve been meaning to write this post for a long time now. And the longer I wait, the more relevant it becomes. It’s nothing highly astute or Earth-shattering, but it’s still incredible to me. Lilah is growing up.

I remember observing a friend’s two year old a few years ago and thinking, she is a baby-kid hybrid. Lilah is now at this hybrid stage. She still has chubby cheeks, fine baby hair, and an adorable little baby giggle. She still runs to me for comfort when she’s sad or scared. She still asks me if she can give me “a big, big hug.” She still sleeps with her thumb in her mouth and her body curled into the fetal position. She still has soft baby feet. But those feet are getting big. I’ve noticed a few freckles cropping up on that soft, baby skin. Her hair is finally long enough for a pony tail (not that she lets me put her hair in a pony tail). She likes to boss me around. Sometimes, if I try to sing along with her she gets angry and yells, “No, don’t sing that!” She remembers things and starts actual conversations with me. She has mad negotiating skills.

I knew this part was coming, but the baby days still managed to slip through my fingers. No matter how many times I kiss that little baby face, it continues to mature. No matter how many times I elicit that heartwarming giggle, I cannot bottle it forever. I’ve been here before with Sophie, but somehow it’s harder this time. Perhaps it is because I know how quickly Sophie’s baby days slipped away from me that I am grasping even tighter around Lilah’s baby days. Sadly, it is to no avail. No matter how tight my grasp, those baby days slip farther and away with each passing moment. I can only try my best to bottle them in my heart.

From this:

To this:

3 comments:

Sarah said...

Oh my, she looks so much like you in that last picture! Which is to say lovely. And yes, kind of grown up. :)

clueless but hopeful mama said...

Right there with 'ya sister! My two year old is one crazy baby/girt hybrid too! I am thrilled for her that she is so excited about everything and so ready to explore and so sad to have her pull away from babyhood- and me.

But you get to do it all over again! :-) Third time's the charm??

B said...

Thank you, Sarah. She does look a lot like me. And CBHM, if I wasn't starting all over in two months I would be completely beside myself for sure. Why do they grow up so fast?!