There comes a time when you look at your child and you just have that realisation that your baby is not actually a baby anymore. I had that realisation not long ago whilst watching Ailsa climb up and down a children's slide in her grandparents garden. In that moment it was apparent that she is now a capable little girl. I could see the confidence in her face, and the determination to do it all by herself. I sat back and let her do what she needed to and I just took her in.
It's such a strange feeling seeing your child grow and develop before your eyes. All the tiny things that seem so insignificant to other people are huge to you as a parent, things like a new word or them putting something in the bin completely unprompted. The little things no one tells you about or that you expect to get excited about are the greatest achievements in the world to you.
The toddler stage was never something I thought about when I would think about the future and any children we would have, in all honesty my mind just kind of bypassed it as if it wasn't that important but of course it is. It's a trying time with tantrums and frustration from both Ailsa and myself but I think it is the best time yet. Ailsa is constantly showing off her new skills and I am always completely amazed when she comes out with a new word or does something new. Even just her silly little facial expressions have me going all gooey from love and pride. As she is getting older her personalty is really coming through and I just love to see it. She is such a cheeky, happy and loving little soul and is really quite strong willed which I know will be a great quality later in life (not so much now when she refuses to hold hands whilst out walking).
I do miss the baby stage, being able to go out and get coffee whilst she sleeps peacefully and actually be able to have a conversation but nothing beats having a conversation, albeit mostly one sided, with Ailsa and knowing that she understands and can communicate back to me. I am so grateful that I get to spend so much time with her and that I have been privileged with the opportunity to watch her grow everyday. Nothing in the world is better than that.
Labels: Ailsa, baby, child, growing up, toddler
