...suddenly makes this person seem so big?
Tuesday, November 09, 2010
little and big
Why is it that the presence of this little person...
...suddenly makes this person seem so big?
He adores his sister. In all the right ways, and in the ways that make mama nervous as he full body hugs her and sticks his grubby 6-year-old-boy-filthy fingers in her face. He rises to the occasion so often -- being my ever willing gopher around the boat, carrying bags from the store to the car, keeping himself entertained and fed when I am sitting through a marathon nursing session. So I have to check myself when I raise the bar too high. He's only 6. I keep saying this to my own brain and outloud. And just because he's adjusting amazingly well, and helping out so much, and welcoming this new member of our family with such unbridled love... doesn't mean he's big. It means he's big hearted, and a big helper, and a first class big brother overall. But he's still a little guy, and he still needs the little things... the lap time, the stories, the one on one attention, the forgiveness when he spills glitter and glue all over the ultrasuede cushions. Just because he is growing up fast doesn't mean he should be swept past all the time he needs to be little. My big little boy.
...suddenly makes this person seem so big?
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17 comments:
Beautifully put. That photo of the two of them face to face is so gorgeous!
Out of curiousity... does glue and glitter come out of ultrasuede?
Z looks like he's being such a great little boy.
They're such a sweet pair!
Kristen - it does if you catch it seconds after it lands and attack it like a mad woman with warm water and mild soap. I swear we could be a commercial for ultrasuede!
I cannot thank you enough for all you are sharing with the rest of us. As a sailing grandma, I will never know the joys of bringing life aboard as you have and I so appreciate seeing it - so practically "in your face" and real. We are anticipating the joys of grandchildren aboard, but it won't be the same as this ... joy! Thanks again! ~chris
what wonderful pictures! it's so hard to capture the baby yawn- you lucky woman! :) i know the feeling, right now trying to remember my guy is 3.5 is requiring constant mindfulness which, oddly enough, i haven't yet achieved! alas.... but it's a journey. beautiful post.
I was curious as a boat baby whether Zach had a nap/sleep schedule (I saw a pic of him asleep on the stairs from the cockpit) and if you would do the same for Naia? We would love to liveaboard in the next few years and wonder how other families handle nap/sleep routines.
Very well put! I have a 2 1/2, 4 1/2 and 6 1/2 year old. And in their own ways, they're big, small and in between, all in their own time. Difficult to juggle sometimes, but oh so important. And that one on one time, especially with dad, it becomes quite hard too, but also very important to remember. And when it does happen, the memories, ahh, they make it all worth it!
Am really enjoying reading about your life onboard, it's very different to my life, but still, the crafting, the kids, the books, so many things are also similar. The physical framework shapes many aspects of our lives, but only to a point I think.
Such a beautiful and wise post!
mudmaven -thank you so much for your sweet words. Enjoy your grandkids by land or sea. I never had grandparents and so missed out on that experience.
mb - he will be fully independent before you know it and you'll wonder what to do with yourself. it's just around the corner.
tinyasteroid - no sleep schedule for either kid. We very much live by the feed when you are hungry, sleep when you are tired, run outside when you have ants in your pants motto. right now my biggest challenge is making a place aboard where Naia can get a peaceful rest without Z or I constantly disturbing her rest. Such a small space there are no quiet corners.
Thanks Christina!
Not for one second is your son feeling neglected! He's a part of the whole family process and most likely feels very important.
you put into words exactly the way i feel right now about my own son. thank you..
the glitter on ultrasuede comment made me laugh. John goes into panic mode anytime glitter arrives on the boat!
just catching up and had to stop and say WOW, Naia is gorgeous- coming into her real baby face (newborns never look like themselves, imho), just perfect. and Zach- what an amazing boy. when i look at Rosy and realize she is as old as Sophie was when she became a sister, i often think similar things- we ask so much of them, and they're still so little. they are amazing.
A good reminder! Sometimes I think I treat Jake like he's 10 instead of 5....thank you! I wish we could meet up soon on the sea!
Timely sweet post as I await the arrival of a new baby and wonder about my four yr. old daughter. How will it be for all of us for her to suddenly be BIG, but still my little big girl!
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