Where did the last four and a half years go? I feel like such a huge amount of time has flown so fast that looking back it seems like four and half hours. When I gave birth to my beautiful daughter, I knew she would probably be the last and I planned to savour every minute of our time together. We did that, I think. It all seems a little blurry.
In between the never-ending school runs, sporting fixtures, appointments and working, we did fit in so many things together.
The early days were filled with park days and soft play, Cbeebies and toys, being doted on by big brothers and the gradual invasion of pink after all the blue of her brothers.
She may have been small, but she was always loud and she had everyone wrapped around her little finger. She loved her brothers and was always watching them, fascinated.
A trip to Disneyland Paris was our first big holiday together and even though she was only eighteen months, A had a ball and an extreme love of everything Disney was born that week. The first ever Minnie Mouse was bought there and although it was the first of many, it is still one of her favourite snuggle toys.
She was a gorgeous toddler but a diva from an early age. The girl that wouldn’t wear trousers. Mornings became a challenge when little Miss A decided that she was in charge of her outfit of the day and if it wasn’t pink and sparkly then it just wouldn’t do.
The twos passed by so quickly and without a terrible moment and apart from the daily clothing disputes that had become a part of daily life, my daughter was great fun to be around. Suddenly she was a little girl. Indpendent, strong-willed and definitely no longer a a baby. She started playgroup and took it all in her stride. I went back to work for a few months and even that went well as she loved her child minder.
Then a threenager was upon us and there were times when she really was a teenager in a small body. Tantrums, foot stamping, door slamming, looks that would kill you if you they could. Yet in between the lows, there were some wonderful highs and she was my companion. She loved going out and cafés were a must, as was shopping. One day, she even forced me to stand outside in the cold and wait for a new H&M (her shop of choice) to open.
Before you know it, you are preparing for school. Where did those years go? I can honestly say that in spite of trying to put my foot firmly on the brakes for the last twelve months, it passed in a flurry of school talk, buying uniform and school visits.
My little girl is more than ready for anything that school will throw at her and at the end of her first week, she gave me a huge hug and told me; “I love school mummy, but I still love you more.” I am very relieved about that.
It does seem very quiet without her though and I miss her ‘huggles and snuggles’ and her constant chatter. I will get used to it though and those six hours do luckily pass by very quickly too.
I loved looking through her pics growing up. Some babies change so much as they grow up but she’s looked just like her from a very young age (if that makes sense?), always gorgeous and smiley and the H&M bit made me chuckle. I have no idea how it all flies by so so quickly. We need a pause button don’t we?
I so need a pause button. I did enjoy going back through the photos of her.