One day, when Bea was just a wee, little babe, my great friend and I were visiting and doting on our baby girls. She, an experienced mother of three, said to me something that I never forgot. She told me how much she loved her children as babies. Babies ARE lovely and precious and divine as can be. But she said the love and connection only deepened between her and her children as they grew. And that nothing compared to being able to communicate verbally with her children.
Huh...I was skeptical. Here I was, holding the most precious, the most gorgeous, the most perfect little being. And she was telling me that, for her, the best had yet to come.
Intellectually, I could grasp what she was saying. Being a Montessori teacher, I had the opportunity to witness the growth of little children for the three years that they stayed in the primary environment. I knew the wonder. I knew the potential. I knew that growth of human life was full of good stuff. But I also knew that the ability to speak meant that they could talk. And that the talking would never stop. Sigh.
No, 18 months ago, I was as in love as can be with my non-verbal, adorable, sweet, happy, smiley babe. "Better than this?" I questioned. I wasn't ready to believe it! Yet, these days, as I listen to Beatrix explode into spoken language - I hear Kristie's words in my head and I smile to myself. This must be what she was talking about. This is so incredibly good.
I've been documenting a year of good things with Stephinie's flickr group and today as I was listening to her sing through her day, I couldn't help but feel so very happy for these sweet little moments.
Some of her favorite lines from songs that make my heart melt, melt, melt:
1. wash, wash, wash your hands.
2. merrily, merrily, merrily, merrily.
3. erika, erika, erika, erika. stella, stella, stella. Proceeds to sing all her friends' names from school in her cute little toddler Beatrix accent.
4. ashes, ashes all fall down.
5. one, two buckle shoe. three five...
6. hokey pokey!
True, and next stage will bring it's own beauty. That never stops. Enjoy the ride:)
Posted by: soili | February 11, 2011 at 11:51 PM
It truly is so much fun to listen to their little words, isn't it? Juni sings, "one, two buckle, shoe. three, five..." exactly like that. "Knock the door..." I love it!
Posted by: Catherine | February 12, 2011 at 09:44 AM
Beautiful! I couldn't have imagined loving anything as deeply as I loved Fiona as a baby. I, too, have found a whole new level of love for this walking, talking toddler I have now. If the love keeps growing at this pace, I just might explode!
Thanks for this sweet post!
Posted by: miranda makes | February 13, 2011 at 06:37 AM
such wise words.... and so true.... though I certainly do miss those precious baby days!
Posted by: Stephinie | February 14, 2011 at 08:33 AM
Thank you - will definitely do! :)
Posted by: Nichole | February 14, 2011 at 12:15 PM
I know what you mean.
Posted by: Nichole | February 14, 2011 at 12:18 PM
I agree. Babies are so enticing!
Posted by: Nichole | February 14, 2011 at 12:19 PM
Those little girls...:)
Posted by: Nichole | February 14, 2011 at 12:20 PM
Wow, she got so big in the past few months! It is awesome to hear what she is saying. And I love the chicken pictures. :-p
Posted by: Evergreen | February 15, 2011 at 02:06 AM