Growing Up Sometimes Works Best If Done In Baby Steps

Last night my son grew up just a little bit more. After I red him his story, we said our prayers, and talked about the days events I asked him if he wanted me to cuddle him.
He promptly responded, “No Mommy, I can go to sleep all by myself.” So I kissed him good night, turned off the light and went into my own room across the hall. Thinking to myself that my little boy at four years old had just given me a glimpse into what an older version of himself will one day become.

Awhile later, my “big kid” called me, saying that he didn’t like the dark.

I offered up my cuddling services and this time they were accepted. I came to the conclusion that growing up is hard, and sometimes works best if done in small, miniscule steps.

As he fell asleep snuggled up to me, the big kid in him defeated for the moment, by the little boy he still is.

Nicólle

Friends, French, & Fetal Impressions

Have you ever seen the FRIENDS episode where Phoebe is attempting to teach Joey French? Phoebe, with her great, authentic French accent, is taking it slow with her pal but he just isn’t getting it. Does Joey know it? Absolutely not! He thinks he is picking up the language fast and is proud of himself. The hilarious bit in the show is listening to how he is absolutely butchering the beautiful pronunciations.

Skip ahead, oh say, 4 years (the episode aired in 2004)….and voila! I am Phoebe, and Sister Bear (my daughter) is Joey. Only, we are not speaking French…it’s English. Sister Bear is almost 15 months old and tries with all her might to imitate every word that comes out of my mouth. She gets a real serious face and repeats, repeats, repeats…only it’s definitely some other language!
Maybe all those FRIENDS reruns I watched while pregnant with her made an impression. After all, they say a fetus can hear the outside world while in the womb, right?

-Christine