Where’d my Baby Go?

V is six years old today, about to start first grade. I look at her when she’s sleeping and she’s still my baby. She looks so small, curled up in bed. I just want to cuddle her and kiss her. But that would wake her and she would be cranky.

Because she’s cranky in the morning. She wakes up after her big sister and she likes to lie in bed, stretching and chatting before she gets up. And then she sits on the couch to chat and laugh before she gets breakfast. Sometimes, she plays or draws a little. Of course, that isn’t everyday and sometimes, my bright sunshine girl goes thunderous because I have to rush her.

I’m watching her grow and remembering that baby. She used to need physical contact day and night. Now, it’s only when tired. She wants someone to cuddle and massage her to sleep. Yes, she’s managed to get her dad to massage her to sleep. What she calls tickles, a light touch on her arms, legs, back, or feet. She needs to teach me that trick…

And she used to need constant interaction but now, she’ll spend long periods of time on her own. She might be sketching. She learned to do self portraits in school last year and now, she does a lot of sketching with a thoughtful look on her face. Just don’t try to interrupt her before she’s done.

Or she might be making up stories and songs, playing pretend on her own. Sometimes, her sister asks to play with her but V won’t allow it. She has a scenario in mind and another human would mess with it. It’s the most adorable thing to watch and listen to but make sure she doesn’t notice you watching! (I’m starting to sense a theme here…)

She’s always so excited about any progress she makes. Moving up in her reading level, losing her first tooth, doing things on her own, moving up to the first grade… Now, if she could only learn to tie her shoes…

I finally feel like I understand her. Her reactions, her feelings, the way she expresses herself. But I’m still trying to figure out how to use that knowledge to help her. And to get her to do what I need her to do without triggering a meltdown. You know, like in the morning when she needs to hurry up… This child has been such a joy and such a challenge. I always say that E taught me to be a mother and V taught me humility. She isn’t difficult by any stretch of the imagination but she challenges me.

I’m so excited to see her grow up. I have no clue where she’s going but I hope she’ll keep her joy, creativity, passion, and kindness. Happy birthday to my Summer baby, bright as the Sun (with the occasional thunderstorm)! Let’s share dessert together! A big piece of chocolate cake… (Yep, she got that love of food from her mother!)

About deuxsouriceaux

Creative mommy at home to two wonderful little girls, trying to juggle family, sewing, exercise, family, knitting, photography, and did I mention family?