This monthly link-up has been started by Scribbling Mum (www.scribblingmum.co.uk), encouraging us all to just take a minute to appreciate what is happening right now.
Having already done this briefly for the Maternity Matters link-up, I really like this idea as it reinforces positive thinking, and encourages us to look at all the small, beautiful things that so often pass us by.
So my Living in the Now moment is my Beautiful, Standing-up Daughter.
At just over eight months old, The Baby is desperate to have her independence. No longer is she happy being sat on someone’s knee, or, God forbid, laid-down in someone’s arms. She very often refuses to lie down for a breastfeed these days, choosing instead to pull herself to sitting by grabbing a handful of skin from my chest as support, and sitting Buddha-style with her head turned towards my breast.
When sat down on the sofa/in the high chair/in the floor-ring, her squeals and screams of protest fill the air until I offer my hands to her, which she grabs with her tiny, dexterous fingers and pulls herself to her feet. This is followed by a huge, proud grin and a hearty “Hhhmmmnnn”, reinforcing that being upright is the only position she wishes to be in.
She has no interest in crawling. Once placed on her front she drags her knees under her tummy, lifts her bum, looks poised to travel at 50 miles an hour on hands and knees, but instead falls flat on her face, bangs her hands, kicks her legs, and screams until she is picked up and put on her feet.
The Baby hasn’t even been in this world for as long as she was in me, yet she is already so keen to no longer be a baby. She looks so grown-up and so tall when she is standing. Even though she is ridiculously unsteady on her feet, swaying wildly from side to side like a sunflower in the breeze, and I am petrified she will sway just a little too much and I will end up dislocating her shoulder, she still looks now like a little girl rather than a little baby.
It is sad in some ways that the time The Baby has been a baby has been so short. But, in the spirit of focusing on the positive and not dwelling on the negative, I love how much personality and independence my little girl is showing already.
This feistiness and demanding behaviour does not, however, bode well for the Terrible-Twos.
That’s a lovely description of your little buddha, it just flies in doesn’t it? I have very fond memories of this age right through till when the ‘terrible twos’ started at 14 months…
Thanks for joining in and hope to see you next month.
Will definitely see you next month you’ve had some great posts for this linky. And I’m sure the terrible twos have actually started already! x
That’s a fabulous picture! It’s such a wonderful milestone isn’t it; seems like a long time ago since my 11 year old was at that stage.
CJ xx
Gosh, do not even think about the terrible twos yet! I have a very determined little daughter also.
Feel free to link this post up to my reasons to be cheerful linky too, It is all about celebrating reasons for being happy/ grateful.
Nice to have found you.
Mich x
Hi Michelle I like your word ‘determined’! It’s very…diplomatic! I will definitely come and link to your Reasons to be Cheerful I’ve read a few of your posts for that linky and I really like it. Thanks for your comment x
I love the description of her being like a sunflower in the breeze. My son didn’t walk until he was 15 months, while my friends son was walking at 10. I can remember being amazed how early his own strong personality developed – irrespective of anything I seem to do. Once, they walk suddenly you do have a toddler rather than a baby, but other wonderful stuff comes so quickly, for me I wasn’t as sad as I expected.
On the positive, didn’t really experience terrible twos – so you never know! Lovely post, enjoyed reading
I got your message, thank you! Love the little Buddha description. Both mine were/are sitting feeders too!