Dear My Little Toddler Terror,
Except you aren’t so little anymore are you? You are a very big boy of three years old today. Or as you keep telling me
I seven
Which you’re not, not yet anyway. But then again you also think Mummy and Daddy are 7 so that’s ok.
It feels like only yesterday you came into the world, as dramatic as your mother, announcing your arrival and quickly ruling the roost.
Except it wasn’t yesterday. It was three years, three houses and a whole other country ago!
You, my biggest baby, have had a very special job these past three years. It’s you who has taught me how to be a mother. And not just any old mother. Yours. And really not mother. Just mummy. Your mummy. As you delight in telling your nursery teacher when I pick you up. As you shout out in the supermarket. As you announce to your friends. As you say to my friends.
That’s MY Mummy
And I am your mummy. It’s a job I’ve loved since you arrived and we set off on this learning curve together, me learning how to be Mummy, you just learning all about the world.
From the countless sleepless nights, to first family trips where we discovered how life adapts when we bring you little people into the equation yet still exhilarated and excited to be able to show you the world. From breastfeeding to weaning. From Clapham to Dubai. Life has been one big adventure from the get go and you, my little man, have taken it all in your stride with a smile on your face.
Somehow, along the journey we’ve taken, you’ve morphed from a baby, who loved boobie milk and walks in the park.
To a boddler, who discovered a love of all things kitchen which hasn’t diminished even now you’re three, never learning to crawl preferring to be the king of speed commando crawler before taking wobbly first steps to reach out to grab a wooden spoon.
Those tentative first steps getting bolder and braver. Becoming an independent toddler who knows his own mind, what he likes and what he DOES NOT like.
Pushing boundaries and growing up before our eyes, you seemed to become a big boy the day you became a big brother, overnight you went from being my baby to my big boy yet you took it in your stride. Acting so grown up that we have to take a step back and remember that you are still only a baby.
A little hand reaching out for reassurance. A worried glance to make sure we are watching you, unless of course you are doing something you know you shouldn’t be, needing us to celebrate all achievements with you however small. Watching you as you’ve learnt to walk, talk, run, jump. Knowing when you are being confident and brave, whilst being there behind you when you need a helping hand.
Don’t get me wrong, it’s not all been rainbows and glitter. There are days when I shout. There are days now when you shout. We’ve had tears and tantrums and that’s just from me. There have been frustrations when we’ve found it difficult to understand you, there have been frustrations when you don’t understand me or do understand me but pretend not too. Through it all you’ve continued to grow up.
And how proud I am of you. The little boy you are now. The bigger boy your future holds. The man I know you will become.
You are so caring of others, so loving. The way you tenderly cuddle your brother melts my heart every single time. He is YOUR baby and you like to make sure you know where he is at all times, knowing who is holding him, reminding him that he’s your baby.
Your imagination and your memory, waving at aeroplanes in the sky reminding me that they take Grandma back from Dubai to England. Remembering the way to your friends houses and shouting at me if I am taking you the wrong way (sense of direction doesn’t come from Mummy there!). Watching you play with your friends, imagination games, running games, learning to catch, learning to share, always learning, always growing.
Growing up, but one thing you will never be too old for is a cuddle with your Mummy, because my little one, you will always be my baby.
I love you.
Happy birthday (and enjoy the trampoline)
Love always,
Mummy x x x
This is beautiful and really hit home with me. My eldest was 3 just a couple of weeks ago, and she too will always be my baby. It looks as though your little man has already had some amazing adventures. Happy birthday to him (and happy “birth” day to you). x
#bestandworst
Author
Happy birthday to your baby! He is a lucky boy indeed and is so grown up š sob x
Aww happy birthday little man. he has really blossomed hasn’t it into such a cute and independent little person. 3 years old – that is our next milestone! I hope you have an amazing day and love the piccys in this post. Thanks for sharing with #bestandworst and see you soon xx
Author
Thanks Sarah… oooh this could theoretically be #tbt with a throwback over his three years! Yikes I have a 3 year old! Xx
Oh this is just so lovely! Feeling a bit emotional reading this. My twin boys turn three next Monday. Feel really proud of them growing up into such little characters but a bit emotional that we really don’t have babies anymore.
Author
Happy birthday for Monday!! Nope no more babies but always MY baby š x
Happy belated birthday! As my three-year-old insists, that’s all grown up now (well, nearly). Love the photo too.
Author
Thanks Cathy – how’s Antigua??
Time flies doesn’t it! Love the picture at the endx #ftmob
Author
In the blink of an eye! Thank you š
Aww happy birthday to your big boy – becoming a sibling really does make them grow up so fast doesn’t it? Plus I think this age they just seem to grow u[ in leaps and bounds – it’s loely but definitely challenging! xx
Author
It’s crazy how he literally turned into a (giant) big boy overnight when placed next to this fragile newborn. And yes. Challenging isn’t the word at times! X
aww bless him. He is a very handsome chap. It goes so quickly. Our next birthday is 5. I don’t know what to do with myself.
Thanks for linking up #MaternityMondays
What a beautiful post Laura and a beautiful look back over your toddler’s three years. They do seem to grow up a little more quickly once there is a younger sibling, don’t they? He sounds like he is a wonderful big brother though and I love the photos of your two boys together. I loved your reflection about how your toddler has taught you to be a mummy and I can just imagine him proudly announcing “That’s my mummy!” – such wonderful words to hear. Thank you for linking up to #ftmob š
Author
Thanks Louise, it’s my favourite part of picking him up from Nursery he’s so proud of me (rather than embarrassed). He literally went from being a baby to being a big boy overnight when we brought this new tiny person home x
How very precious … this must have been a delightful and an emotion write up for you. So sweet; your little man will look back on this post with a big smile on his face one day. What privilege we have to watch them grow right before our eyes! I’m intrigued with how good their memories are. And despite the fact that it’s not all rainbows, what won’t be do to have them in our lives, hey. #MaternityMonday
Author
Thanks lovely, I can’t believe I’m already writing how he is 3! Now he has memories from last year but they are slowly fading x
How sweet! My oldest son just turned 5 a few days ago and it has gone by so fast! I love the sibling pic!! Three is a fun age. It can be challenging too, but very sweet and special too. Linking up from #ftmob Here’s what I linked up: http://mytalesfromthecrib.blogspot.com/2012/06/did-i-mention-i-wrote-childrens-book.html
Author
Very challenging indeed! I shall pop over now x