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A belated birthday post

By hissychick | February 6, 2009

My beloved miss A,

Today you are four years and one week old, testament to the fact that time flies so quickly.  Somehow I blinked, and you went from this:

To this:

What a beautiful, thoughtful and intelligent wonder you’ve become. A magic switch was flicked last Friday (“Mummy, I was lying in my bed and I changed numbers!!“) and the threenager was gone. In her place is an increasingly patient and quietly confident little big girl, taking your first day of preschool on your actual birthday, a large party the following day, Mummy’s return to work and some necessary changes to your social and schooling arrangements all in your stride in a mere seven days.

It is so delightful to have your cooperation and growing sense of reasonableness when it comes to waiting your turn (“I’ll get the iceblocks Mummy, E first, then you Mummy, and now my turn”) and transitioning between activities on our increasingly hectic paced weekdays.  I laugh when you tell me- and rightly so- to “you need to stop stressing Mummy, everything’s fine“. I am so proud to see you starting to forge new friendships again, happy to take turns as both follower and leader in your increasingly sophisticated and imaginative games. I adore your loving and protective nature towards your little sister, giving her cuddles when she is sad at daycare and quietly admonishing her to be gentle and not to hit, only alerting me when it is serious but never ever hitting back.

It is also with a sense of pride born out of sheer frustration that I will admit to respecting your determined side, and how you will always negotiate a solution and never back down (“A it’s time to brush your teeth”. “But I don’t like brushing my teeth”. “A remember what Dr Dentist said, we need to keep our teeth healthy by brushing twice a day”. “Ok Mummy I will brush my teeth once Evie has had her turn“. And she does (!!))

And most of all I love our quiet snuggles at bedtime, where we talk about the day, and I gain new insights into the fascinating way your bright and burgeoning mind works (“When I’m sixteen I’ll be a grown up and then I can wear earring in my ears Mummy”, “It’s OK if you feel a bit sad when you are in lonely in your bed, because you’re not really alone, Mummy and Daddy are just doing boring things, you’re not really having a party are you?”), and the way you love me as intensely as I love you (“No Mummy I am not your daughter I am your wife, I want to marry you and it’s OK Daddy can share“).

When we count together to one hundred as I rhythmically scratch your back I can’t help but stare in wonder at your heavy lidded eyes, precious remnants of the baby you once were so evident at the same time as hints of the beautiful woman you will become all too soon.

My darling girl, my beloved firstborn, thank you. For the past four years, and for those to come.

(and yes that is a shameless show off pic of the latest birthday cake)
**********
ETA: I have just picked you up from preschool, and I can’t say I was surprised when you teacher pulled me aside to talk to me about your incredible flair for puzzles, you having today solved one that even your teachers have difficulty with.  We started to talk about nurturing your giftedness in this area and with numbers.   My hope is that this is the just the start of a lifelong love of learning without unnecessary pressure. My clever girl.

Topics: I'm a Mum, hi ho A is on the go | 8 Comments »

8 Responses to “A belated birthday post”

  1. Happy Belated Birthday, E!

    I am glad to read that you have learned and developed these lifelong social and survival skills, and showing tenderness to the people in your life!

    Yes- keep telling Mummy to stop stressing!

    :)

    JLow’s last blog post..Full moon / New addition to the extended family

    Posted by: JLow on February 6th, 2009 at 5:07 pm

  2. Oh, This is such a lovely and precious post.

    Truly there is no joy that can replace that of being a mum to such a wonder.
    :)

    Happy Birthday, A!

    Congrats, Mum!!

    Moomykin’s last blog post..Counting Down

    Posted by: Moomykin on February 7th, 2009 at 2:49 am

  3. Happy Birthday to E

    We will call this year the Fabulous Fours!

    And oh boy she is gorgeous and she looks like you to boot. Does Mr.Hissy get a look in?

    Posted by: Simone on February 7th, 2009 at 10:36 am

  4. Oh fwuck- I got my vowels mixeded up- Miss A!

    Posted by: Simone on February 7th, 2009 at 10:36 am

  5. And what a birthday cake to show off! (Oh and the daughter is quite cute also lol)

    Congratulations on 4 and a bit years of motherhood Mme Em, hope this year is as wonderful as the last 4.

    Jenn’s last blog post..That woman in the corner

    Posted by: Jenn on February 8th, 2009 at 6:10 pm

  6. Damn you hissy, for making watery stuff come out my eyes again!!

    Happy birthday Miss A.

    Posted by: Dani on February 8th, 2009 at 11:20 pm

  7. Ooohhh…..a very thoughtfully written post. Betcha when Miss A reads it when she is bigger and has kids of her own, she might even get teary!

    Ann’s last blog post..A death takes knowing

    Posted by: Ann on February 11th, 2009 at 11:45 am

  8. Beautiful post, beautiful little Princess, beautiful Mummy!!!

    xxx

    Posted by: Em on February 12th, 2009 at 9:42 am

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