My baby turns two in a matter of weeks. Actually who am I trying to kid? He’s no longer a baby, he’s a fully fledged little boy. In fact some days I look at him and I can already picture him at eight years old. Sob!
Last year I wrote a post over on our sister blog Rock My Style about the inspiration for Hector’s first birthday party (which you can read here) and whilst I was emotional about Hector turning one, the overwhelming feeling was one of…thank god I survived. More than anything I was excited about him getting older which was in direct contrast to other mums I knew with babies the same age.
This year it’s different. Why? I’m not so sure.
Perhaps it’s because this last year has been so much fun…particularly the last six months. I particularly love the toddler years (despite the tantrums!) because they’re so much more mobile, more interested in the world and they’re starting to develop their own personalities.
I like the fact he has favourite toys (a much loved Jellycat puppy and all his various cars) and that he comes and takes hold of our hands when he wants to show us something. Despite the fact he is Birmingham born and bred we have a very Northern ‘Oh noooooo’ (inspired by Postman Pat I think) when something goes wrong and a very Cockney ‘nahhhhhhhh’ when something isn’t to his liking. He’s got bags of personality and whilst he can be initially shy in social situations he is fearless in the face of any physical pursuits which gives me heart palpitations on a daily basis.
Already I can see he is particular. He likes the good stuff (manchego cheese and smoked salmon and fast (model) cars anyone?!), he adores reading (or rather being read to) and he’s content with his own company although he won’t say no to showing off to a crowd either 😉
I could pick out his dirty laugh in a crowd of a million and his cheeky smile makes even my ‘telling off face’ crumble. I’ve never had to hide my smirking face so much from anyone before and whilst it’s frustrating at times he’s definitely made me more tolerant as a person.
Most of all I love how gentle and kind he is with everyone. He melted hearts when he bear-hugged one of his friends at a BBQ recently and is always the first to kiss a new baby on their heads or hand them back their dropped dummy. He blows kisses like the best of them and regularly gives both Ste and I cuddles throughout the day; honestly there’s nothing better than a tighter than tight snuggle with your baby. And this softness extends to animals too; he can sniff out a dog or cat at hundred paces and be best friends with them within five minutes. In short Hector is a gentle soul.
This post is in no way an ode to my boy, at least it didn’t start off that way. Instead it’s more about wondering how those of you with slightly older children felt when your babies turned two, or even three/four/five/six etc? Did you embrace the increasing years or did it feel bittersweet as they blew out the birthday candles?
From a personal perspective I’m feeling so incredibly emotional about the big two point zero. It’s silly I know but I’ll probably cry on the day itself mostly from feeling so proud but partly because he seems so big now. I’ve definitely been guilty in the early days of wishing the days away when the piles of washing and the bottle sterilising and the broken nights seemed too much to handle. And now it’s two years on and suddenly it feels that time is passing much too quickly.
Something my mum said in Hector’s first few months resonates strongly now, perhaps more so than ever before, now that I’m in a position to really hear her.’ They aren’t little for very long, so make the most of it when you can‘.
And do you know what? She’s completely right… such is the beauty of hindsight. Whilst I felt like bopping every single person who said this to me on the nose in my first few weeks of motherhood, it’s one of those cliches that ends up ringing true. So for those of you who feel like you’re struggling, that you’re never going to get through this particular phase, trust me everything is going to be alright. And if it’s at all possible, try to make the very most of every single day as much as you can otherwise you’ll end up like me…weeping into birthday cake.
What a beautiful post Lolly (as always). Sending big birthday kisses x
Thank you darling girl xx
Fern’s closer to two than one now and I definitely know where you’re coming from. Her first birthday felt like a prize for enduring the first year, and like you I’ve found toddlerhood to be infinitely more rewarding. She’s such great company now!
A good friend once said when asked of her favourite age stage with her now five year old daughter, “they’ve all been my favourite. Just when I thought she was the best fun she’d ever been, something else would develop and THAT would become my favourite. Until the next one!” Fern was a screaming refluxy newborn when I heard that and I desperately hoped it would be the case for me too. Happily, before long that’s definitely that’s how it started to pan out and continued to do so.
I guess all the things you adore about them are still there, just overlaid with more abilities, chatter and memories as the days pass. I’d like to think it just gets better and better ?
Looking forward to hearing about your plans for Hectors birthday!
You’re both making me feel a bit weepy. Xx
Philippa what a brilliant way of describing their first year! A prize for endurance; Hector sobbed his way through his first birthday which was FUN! Hopefully not to be repeated this year…I think we’ll be keeping things a little more low key xx
Ah! So lovely! I too struggled with the new born/baby stage and now Juliet is almost 18 months old I can’t believe I did. It’s so rewarding when you get to know them a little more each day. Like you, I loved her turning one. However, I did get my first pang of time passing blues when I packed away her first shoes a few weeks ago..
Turning two seems very grown up. Good luck!
Thanks Jennifer and I can’t believe that Juliet is almost 18 months! How time flies! I definitely weeped when I packed away his first pair of shoes so you’re not alone xxx
Now that my little girl is on the other side of 18 months, 2 seems ever so close, particularly after someone pointed it out a few weeks ago ahhh! I was so excited for her first birthday but emotional at the same time as I was returning to work two days later so whilst we had an amazing day with family and friends, it felt like such a HUGE milestone for the both of us! She’s so fun and her character is really shining through, but I felt a bit teary lastnight just looking at her newborn pictures so goodness knows how I’ll be by her birthday! Shares in Kleenex anyone?!
Debs I’m currently in mammoth holiday packing mode and came across Hector’s first birthday garland last night which I strung up behind his birthday cake when he turned one. He was so tiny in some of the photos and it made me catch my breath. It goes too quickly! Definitely some shares in Kleenex are required!
My baby is just about 2 and a half and she has just changed into a little girl in front of my eyes over the past few months. I definitely agree that I keep changing my “favorite stage” to where she is/what she is doing currently.
I was really proud of her on her second birthday, more so than sad I think. She sang happy birthday to herself and blew out her own candles! I spent the day just watching her reactions to her presents and her friends and family.
High fives to your baby Megan! There’s no way that Hector would be able to sing Happy Birthday but he’d crack out a mean dance routine instead. And I know EXACTLY what you mean about watching their reactions – it’s so wonderful to get a glimpse into how they see the world xx
I feel exactly the same about our soon to be two year old! She’s two in October, so a little while longer before I have to face the reality of it, but feel all teary when I look at her lately. She’s still got very little hair though, so most people mistake her for a much younger child.
It made me laugh about the accent thing because B is the same. She says in a cockney accent ‘wot is that?’ An Australian ‘no’ and a Spanish ‘hello baby’, which she thinks you need to say to everyone. We’re Brummies too, so I can’t think where she gets this from!
Last year we had a tony afternoon tea party for when she turned one and now it’s all about stupid Peppa freaking pig. I better go an research muddy puddle cakes then…
Hope Hector has a lovely birthday!! He sounds like a super little chap! X
Awww I totally relate to this, my ‘baby’ turned 2 in June! I think I was more emotional about her turning 1 to be honest because of the transition from baby to toddler, but developmentally I have seen such a massive change even in the 2 months since her 2nd birthday that it makes me sooo proud and sooo sad all at the same time. Bittersweet like you say! My baby is definitely gone and there’s a little girl in her place, which is amazing and I love watching her personality emerge but I also can’t believe how fast it’s gone. It really is true that they grow so fast! I’m expecting number 2 any day now and I’m going to really try to remember this with them and just enjoy every phase (even the night feeds!) and not wish any of it away. Hope Hector has a lovely birthday and enjoy the last few weeks of your one year old ? X
Beautiful. I’m amazed how many littles there are in this school year among readers, plus Hector! Silvia will be 2 in March, and you are totally right and it’s a milestone- the end of babyhood. Look forward to seeing the pics of Hector’s party, with or without shots of you weeping into the party bags ??. I bet you are one of the elegant few who can cry and look beautiful.
Although, Miss S already thinks she is not a baby and if asked says “no…girl” in beautiful Estuary English… Although we live in Devon. Very funny. I guess Mum’s accent makes more of an impact than other voices around us. Thank goodness she is a baldie in spite of the many irritations (what a lovely little boy! Oh, she’s not got much hair has she? Takes after her dad haha. Ugh) as she still looks so much like a baby…
What are we going to be like when they all start school people????!!!
It’s so lovely to read how much you’re enjoying this phase Lolly – Hector sounds like such a sweet little boy. My little man is only 8 months but I’ve just gone back to work so feeling all sentimental this week! In the last few months I’ve really started to enjoy motherhood much more, so I hope I enjoy every stage more as others have said. Often I hear how hard the toddler years are (and I’m sure the tantrums are tough) but it’s lovely to hear about the good bits too! Xx
My daughter is a few days older than Hector Lolly and fist pump. But like someone else said, each day she seems more confident and full of IT. I’m due with my second around Hector’s birthday (nothing like keeping everyone – including my husbands birthday in the same week).
The last few weeks have been insane. So much chatter in sentences now, lots more attitude and lots more confidence. I think it’ll keep getting better and better too #andwearestartingballetsowoohoo
Oh Lolly this post has made me so teary too! I remember the day you went into labour so clearly. I always watch Hectors progress and your feelings with interest as Elle is three months behind – can’t believe how quickly the time has passed and I totally echo your sentiments about motherhood during the early days compared to now. Let’s just give them as many cuddles as possible every single day.
Loved reading everyone’s comments too 🙂
xxx
My husband was laughing at me the other evening as I professed ‘this is my favourite stage so far’ apparently I say it about everything. My little girl is 15 months next week and just mastered walking properly (albeit with a slight gangster swagger) and it is so much fun watching her toddle around the garden and park.
Hector sounds adorable and based on his first birthday pics can’t wait to see his second. He will always be your baby, no matter how big he gets.
Xx
Oh hindsight. Isn’t it a wonderful thing. Heccy is just a beauty and his temperament is so similar to Leo’s. I too like you remember wishing some days away, keen to get to the next developmental milestone… Hoping things would become easier to manage. I don’t think they do get easier really, they just… Change. But the changes, although hard at times, have in general been amazing. And as each birthday approaches I find myself getting really teary. Remembering how much he’s changed in a year, just falling more and more in love with him and all the new stages of his little life.
I’m pleased to report that motherhood the second time round seems to be coming slightly easier to me. I’m getting in tonnes of cuddles whereas first time I was so tetchy and keen for Leo not to be a clingy baby. That absolutely didn’t work so I’m embracing all of these small moments with Tayo. Because let’s be honest, before I know it I will have survived his first year and he’ll be off chasing his big bro round the garden and I’m positive there will be a shit load of happy and sad tears all rolled into one.
Beautiful post xxxx
This really resonated with me. My (not so) little boy is just over two and a half, we have cracked potty training and we’re on to questions like how do aeroplanes fly! Definitely not a baby anymore! I too was not keen on the newborn stage and found it just got better and better from six months on. Freddie is truly a little boy now and it is delightful seeing his personality develop, so I too have loved the toddler stage.
We are due our second in nine weeks and I will certainly view the newborn stage differently. I will appreciate the snuggles probably much more and the fact that newborns don’t move when you put them down!! I know there will be an end to the sleepless nights and what joys there are to come.
One of my closest friends said that every stage had been her favourite stage and I finally understand what she means.
xx
That’s such a beautiful post Lauren. My boy turned 2 in June and I just can’t believe where the time has gone. I thought the same when I heard the ‘they aren’t little for long’ cliche but now realise how true it is and I will make the most of these years. Hope Hector has a lovely birthday, he’s an adorable little chap 🙂
This has 100% resonated with me today. We hit my little girl’s 11 month milestone yesterday, which will eternally be remembered by a photo of her with fists clenched and bawling her eyes out! Great!
I am looking forward to her first birthday because a) i love a party and this is her first one, so that is exciting and b) like you and so many of the other readers, I feel a sense of relief… i (naively) somehow expect the next phase to be easier – now that i am fully in the swing of being a “mummy” and my mini should surely become a better sleeper/eater etc etc. Shouldn’t she?! Say yes?!!!!
However, as we are in the throes of the final monthly countdown, i am feeling (so characteristically and predictably) sentimental about this year being over. My sister sent me a timehop photo today of me filling her wardrobe with all the newly laundered white baby clothes I had bought prior to her arrival and i am actually in disbelief that it was a year ago. I can vividly and intensely remember the feelings of excitement and anticipation and mainly a constant panic of OMG – what is labour going to really be like?! And just like that – they are here and changing your life daily. I get jealous of my pregnant friends that they have the first time Mum feeling to come.
I really love your writing Lolly, you cram so much emotion and sentiment in to so few words – (unlike my rambles) – I hope you enjoy Hector’s second b’day, he truly sounds a catch – if he would like a younger girlfriend one day, let’s get Hector and Cassie together!
Nicola xx
Great post, Lolly. My daughter is turning 2 in a couple of weeks & I feel exactly the same. Ever heard the phrase “the days are long but the years are short”? That.
Ne’er a truer word spoken. Sob!
My not so little boy will be turning three in November and I am so not ready! I don’t remember feeling that emotional at two, however three is a totally different kettle of fish. He is a live wire, cheeky monkey, massively inquisitive who won’t sit still for five minutes, unless there’s cars. I am totally with you all on ‘this current stage is my favourite.’ They way he plays has changed so much and his imagination knows no bounds. He is so much fun to play with, chat to and his view on the world is amazing. I’m definitely going to more emotional come his third birthday. Especially as by then he’ll be in pre-school, which is only one step away from actual proper school. OMG don’t even get me started… xx