At nine months, Alice had had enough of the “baby just goes along for the ride while you live your life and pop out a boob” routine.
She’d had it up to here.
The endless car rides to school drop-off, pick-up, sports and ballet? Over it.
Taking naps in her car seat carrier as it was sloppily transferred from car to store and back to car again? No way in hell.
Staring happily into her eyes while I talked on the phone to others? Don’t two-time me, botch!
All of a sudden, she was like Mikey in The Goonies shouting, “This is our time!”
And I agree.
Since baby was soooo easy going and life was so busy and this time I was experienced at this mothering thing, Alice’s preferences about how to spend her day were getting the shaft. Sure, I cut waaay back on work, but largely Alice simply tagged along as the Special Star as we all went about our lives. Back in 2003 and 2006 when I had Charlie and Eve, those babies ruled the school. Their routines, needs and whims were supreme.
Alice was adored and snuggled and glorified and cared for (probably better than the others, getting her parents nice and broken-in.) But the days sure did not revolve around her.
Now they do.
Alice is crawling all over the place, picking up books and bringing them to me, calling out her five or so words, raising her hands to be picked up, pulling me toward the Little People village for playtime, pointing outside the window for walks and freaking the heck out when it is time to be strapped into that dreaded car seat. She has her favorite songs and playlists on the family iPod, favorite dinners heavily in rotation. I have her home each evening for the bath she requires promptly at 7 p.m. with her “DUCK! “DUCK!”, followed by all four Clifford board books.
(Don’t even try and skip Clifford on the Farm, or you’ll be sorry.)
Together she and I are taking a music class, we head out for at least one daily walk, are pros at arriving at the local parks for prime bucket swing availability and are hitting a weekly mother’s group featuring other baby playmates.
All her naps, unless I cannot avoid it, are taken in her own comfy crib.
Life is now on Alice’s routine.
It’s HER time.
It was about time.
Comments
Maki
I couldnt have said it any better to be honest! keep up the awesome work. You are very talented & I only wish I could write as good as you do 🙂 …
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Lara
As it should be. I’m telling ya, this kid is going to rule the world one day and not just because she hit the gene pool jackpot.
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admin Reply:
March 27th, 2012 at 5:16 pm
Thanks Lara! I have a feeling that Lady Alice, Duchess of Splitlevel-on-the-Left, will be comfy in a leadership role, as she has our entire household doing her bidding like the servants of Downton Abbey.
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Jessica @ Crunchy-Chewy Mama
I hear ya! Been there for a few months! But then how in the world are you managing to launch this new blog presence?! Did you clone yourself?
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admin Reply:
March 27th, 2012 at 5:17 pm
No, I’m just responding to my friends’ comments five days late. Thanks for the love!
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Corey Feldman
Susan touched so many. She is missed and was/is such and inspiration. I have recently blogged a bit about some stuff I have been going through, and I can tell you, not a day goes by that her memory reminds me of what I truly have!
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admin Reply:
March 27th, 2012 at 5:19 pm
I am keeping up with your journey and am very impressed. Susan wrote several times on her blog Toddler Planet that every day was a gift, and I too try and remember that.
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Stacy
OMG, that last picture is freakin’ adorable. Also? You are very much making me want to have a third, in a couple of years.
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admin Reply:
March 27th, 2012 at 5:21 pm
(I highly recommend the age gap between #2 and #3 – it was not intentional, but has been great! When Charlie and Eve are at school all day and it’s just me and Alice in a music class or the store, I feel 28 again! At least until I catch a glimpse of my wattle.)
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{sue}
Awww! I love that little girlie! My 3rd was so easy going, the same thing happened. But my baby rules the roost at 6. I think it’s probably time to change that!
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admin Reply:
March 27th, 2012 at 5:22 pm
Thanks so much Sue. Alice is still rocking the gorgeous Worth the Wait tee you got her. xoxo
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