Talitha turned three last week. My baby is three years old. I am the mother of a three-year-old. Three years ago, I held her for the first time. I can’t quite get my head around any of this. It’s both exciting and a bit daunting.
So much change is happening, as always is with small children. Her reasoning powers are rapidly developing. I’m taken aback by her growing capacity for conflict resolution. Even the pictures she’s drawing and games she’s playing are suddenly more complex. I’m stunned by it. I’m drinking her in, this little girl, not a baby anymore.
In fact, really not a baby anymore. She’s walking much longer distances now and has fully taken on her big sister role, even trying to comfort Ophelia when she cries. She’s insisting on knowing what every word we come across, whether in a book or on a sign, is. She memorises songs faster than I do. She wants to do so many things herself.
And yet she is still little, needing cuddles, coming into our bed after a nightmare, in so many ways asking that we remember that she still needs us to let her grow up at her own pace rather than push her or attempt to hold her back.
New mama fears come to mind. I hope I’m making the right choices for her, nurturing her confidence, not messing it all up too badly. I hope I’m striking the balance between being present with her and encouraging her to play independently. I hope I’m managing to share something of God’s love with her and to show her how very much I love her too. I hope I’m saying “yes” and “no” when they’re right. I even hope I’m not worrying too much, that she’s not picking up on my sometimes anxiety.
For her birthday, I took her to the zoo. We met up with Purplemum and her Super Girl, which was great fun. Each of her birthdays has been a bittersweet experience for me. I’ve taken her on an outing each time and each time my heart has exploded looking at her with gratefulness to have this little life in mine and a little bit of sadness that it’s going by so quickly.
you have the sweetest little family! happy (belated) birthday to your little lady.
laura redburn recently posted..what i wore – polka dot top & fish bag
They do grow up so, so fast, so cherish every single moment. Mine is all of a sudden 15 and I remember as clear as day when he turned 3 and what we did.
Happy birthday to your little one x
Michelle recently posted..Happy Father’s Day Dad!
Happy belated birthday! It is crazy how fast they grow, my oldest is 7 and I don’t know where the years have gone!
Some beautiful photos looks like you all had a lovely time.
hope she had a great day! Three!! I remember my eldest turning three and it seemed crazy she could be three! {even crazier now that she could be eleven!} She’s so cute xx
Aww happy third birthday to her – I can only imagine how time flies. x
Sarah Bailey recently posted..Treating Sally with PetShopBowl
Bless! Happy Birthday – and three is still soooo little š
Kate Thompson recently posted..A Marathon not a Sprint
Very very true!
She’s a credit to you, in terms of her sunny disposition on pictures! Love the penguin egg picture from the zoo. Happy Birthday to you all
Eleanor (thebristolparent) recently posted..Does my baby have Roseola? ā my experience
Happy birthday to Talitha š Love that first photo!
Shell Louise recently posted..Silent Sunday June 15th
Happy third birthday! Sounds like she is being a caring big sister!
Foz recently posted..Forced Marriage is now a criminal act
Ah happy birthday to Talitha! Looks like she’s really taken to that role of big sister – precious photographs š
suzanne3childrenandit recently posted..Life Rule Number 1
Happy 3rd birthday! My youngest is 3 and she’s still so little yet grown up at the same time. I treasure every moment, before we know it they will be too grown up for snuggles x
Louisa recently posted..How to trace your family tree #1 Building blocks
aw lovely pictures and looks like you had a great time x
Happy belated birthday Talitha! I know what you mean about the time flying x
You Baby Me Mummy recently posted..Living Arrows 24/52
It is so hard., this parenting lark. I find myself second guessing myself all the time. I find birthdays really hard too. She is beautiful.
Jen aka The Mad House recently posted..Silhouettes made easy using the Cricut Explore
Ahw they grow up so quick don’t they – it’s so scary that my eldest goes to seniors in September!
Cass@frugalfamily recently posted..Monday’s Parenting Pin It Party….
Love those photos. And happy Birthday to your 3 year old š
how did we get three and four year olds?
she is a lovely little thing x
Jane @ northernmum recently posted..Iām not dead Mother
I know! Where has it all gone, Jane! I remember you commenting on my blog back when I was pregnant with her!
WOW the big 3!!! I know how you feel… 3!!! It really makes you stop and try to take in every moment of your little baby. Soon they will be off to uni and married and even having babies! Too much to think about š
Happy Birthday Talitha, glad she had a lovely day. I can’t believe how old they are getting, Cherry wasn’t 3 that long ago and yet she’s now closer to 4! It’s so scary x
Jess @Along Came Cherry recently posted..Last Weekend
Happy birthday to Talitha! Mu twin nephews are 3 as well, i just cant believe last time I saw them they were crawling and now they talk non-stop
Victoria Mylittlel recently posted..Craftmill Pregnant Belly Casting Kit review
What a beautiful little lady and she sounds just mike my youngest. Hope you all had a fantastic day x
Kizzy recently posted..Fun for all the family
It was a lovely day, and a pleasure to spend her birthday together. Talitha is a darling and she’s gonna be the best big sister.
Purplemum recently posted..Am I having a mid life crisis?
Three is such a great age of discovery isn’t it. It sounds like she is doing amazingly well and so are you!
Zena’s Suitcase recently posted..Theraline Wynnie Nursing Pillow Review
Happy third birthday to your sweet girl! Three for me is a scary age, as they are so impressionable! It sounds as though you’re doing an amazing job!
abigail recently posted..recently
It is such a bittersweet thing, isn’t it? you want them to grow and thrive, but this means getting older. Know exactly what you mean. Beautiful post – and happy birthday T!
Happy birthday lovely T! For what’s its worth I think your doing a fantastic job! I also worry about the ‘am I saying yes and no at the right times’ xx
Fritha recently posted..The Eiffel tower
Happy Birthday little lady and welcome to the world of the threenager Mummy xxxx
Kara recently posted..Sebastian at 11 months new
Such a cuite, happy birthday Talitha! I know having a three year old is such a balance of independence and control. I do struggle at times but it sounds as though Talitha has really taken to being a great big sister. x
Lori recently posted..24/52
Happy belated birthday to your little one.She is so cute
Nayna Kanabar (@SIMPLYF00D) recently posted..Coriander Lemon Rice~ Secret Recipe club 16th June 2014
Oh wow happy birthday Talitha! I bet she really love her day at the zoo. I totally know what you mean about all the change -it’s so rapid and a real roller coaster
Laura x
Laura recently posted..Freeing our Feet in Abergavenny