Lellow

Emma turned 5 this week.  Wow. 

Happy Birthday Emma!

It’s so cliched to say but really, it only feels like yesterday when I saw her for the very first time. 

When my life changed forever and I became this new person now known as Mum. 

The past five years have been so rewarding to say the least.  I have watched Emma learn and grow and sometimes when I reminisce about the weeks, months and years gone by, I am reminded how fleeting life’s precious moments really are.  Sometimes I just wish I could press pause or better yet rewind and experience those beautiful moments all over again. 

I remember very vividly the first time Emma toddled over to the coffee table and picked up her sippy cup and had a drink all by herself.  In that moment I remember thinking how quickly the first signs of her independence had come and I felt that things were moving forward way too fast.  As great as it was that Emma was starting to do things for herself, I had only just gotten used to this ‘having a baby and being a new mum’ thing and I wasn’t ready to move on to the next bit just yet. And sometimes, I’m still not.

I really enjoyed the time when Emma was a baby and I have tried like hell to hang on and keep her as my baby for as long as possible.  I realise this is a ridiculous notion because I obviously want her to grow up and be the best she can be but sometimes, for old time’s sake, I do baby things like carry her to bed. Unfortunately picking her up is just not that easy or pleasant anymore with all those arms and legs dangling everywhere.  She is getting way too big and heavy for me so sadly, the time has come for me to give that up.  I told her that the other night and she said, “that’s ok Mum.  We can still cuddle.”

Watching Emma learn to talk has also been something I adored.  It was so cute listening to her pronounce words in her own way like “chlocate” for chocolate and “efalent”for elephant.  I never corrected her pronunciation (and still don’t) because I always feel that there is plenty of time for that.  Emma speaks very clearly and fluently and many of her baby words are now long gone so it hasn’t really mattered anyway.

At the end of the last school term, I had a meeting with her teacher to find out how she is going at Kindy.  Emma knows all her letters and numbers and it was pleasing to hear that she is doing well.  Emma also knows all her colours and the teacher mentioned that Emma was saying “lellow” instead of yellow.  “But we sorted that out and she doesn’t say that any more,” she added.

The next day, I sat down with Emma while she was drawing and I picked up a yellow crayon and asked her what colour it was.  “Yellow,”she replied clearly.  I felt sad.  Emma had stuck by ‘lellow’ for so long and even had an argument with her Grandmother (who used to be an English teacher) about how to say the word properly.  “No Seanma, it’s lellow.  You say lellow,” she said defiantly one day, when Seanma tried to teach her how to say yellow.

Next year, Emma starts school full time.  As quiet as I know it will be, I will definitely miss having her around.  Even though she frustrates me from time to time, I am so blessed to be able to say she is mine. I have learnt so much about love and life from her and even though she may not be that little baby anymore, she is growing up to be a wonderful friend.  I really enjoy her company. 

We were out shopping recently and a lady stopped and complimented me on my two beautiful girls. She told me to remember that they are only on loan to me so I should enjoy them as much as I can because before I know it, they will be grown up and off living their own lives, like her own children were.   Advice taken. 

Something a bit different today – I want to share a gorgeous business with you that an old work colleague of mine started when she became a mum.  If you have girls (or know of any) you should check out Pretty Little Things.  Jo is very clever and creates the most stunning and quality hand made accessories that also make great gifts.  Pretty Little Things are especially wonderful because they also do custom made orders which is perfect if you have a special outfit and need accessories to match.   

I recently purchased this very cute Owl hair clip for Chloe.  Just gorgeous!