Tue 17 Feb 2009
baby and toddler
Posted by bon under mama-baby stuff, smitten stuff
[21] Comments
i had no idea how complicated it would be, these two, these little lives unfolding in my house yet solitudes unto themselves.
she turns to him, all baby squeak and anticipation, oozing delight; he turns away, all toddler moody i will go this far and then no further and then repentant. he turns back, suddenly empathic, his tallest self, most kind, solicitious, and brings her blocks and teethers only slightly pre-chewed and he sing songs baby baby baby this is a little song for you do you like it baby and sometimes she lavishes him with the praise of her laughter like bells but other times there are her toes to explore and he could be the wind, invisible.
i watch. some animal instinct tells me this is between them.
he sprays her with his froggie in the tub and laughs his belly laugh and she mimics with her little heh heh heh and then she beams at him like he hung the moon and i catch my breath, full of wonder.
February 17th, 2009 at 2:46 am
Exactly like that. When they laugh, I can’t believe the magic and when they break each other’s hearts I don’t think I’ll make it until they all leave my house.
February 17th, 2009 at 3:07 am
i am sad i will never know this place and simultaneously so happy for you.
February 17th, 2009 at 5:21 am
I love seeing how my boys interact with each other. In very limited ways at first, but the baby watches his big brother with fascination . . . sometimes . . . and the preschooler fetches toys and plays peekaboo with the little one . . . sometimes, just as you say.
February 17th, 2009 at 6:32 am
Oh Bon. Utterly exquisite. Thankyou for having the right words to capture the joy.
February 17th, 2009 at 8:29 am
It is absolutely the best thing watching your kids interact with each other – there is nothing ike it on earth. And it gets better and better.
February 17th, 2009 at 9:57 am
it is so complicated, so fraught, the sibling dynamic, and it only grows more so until sometime in adulthood when it levels off, quiets down.
beautiful photo.
February 17th, 2009 at 10:20 am
That picture could not be more perfect.
February 17th, 2009 at 11:45 am
This dynamics between a brother and sister are fascinating to me, because I’m already seeing what my next years will be like: constant referring of the wrestling and rough-housing to keep bones and furniture from being broken.
Your way of expressing it sounds much more poetical. ;) My two just crash around the living room squealing and sitting on each other’s heads.
February 17th, 2009 at 12:10 pm
My 2 girls do that as well Hannah-but also play nicely and quietly together. It rules.
February 17th, 2009 at 12:10 pm
It is something to behold.
February 17th, 2009 at 1:24 pm
I loved this, Bon.
Despite the highs and lows, I consider it a distinct honour to witness the dance between siblings.
February 17th, 2009 at 1:44 pm
It’s amazing to watch though, isnt’ it?
February 17th, 2009 at 6:04 pm
Oh, I know. I drank it up then, drink it up now.
February 17th, 2009 at 6:45 pm
Lovely photo, gorgeous words, beautiful siblings. I love seeing similar interactions between my two.
February 17th, 2009 at 11:09 pm
I can’t relate, but this made me smile…thanks for that.
February 18th, 2009 at 2:01 am
i wonder sometimes. i only know the two at a time, at the same stage, moments of connection but unable to look up to each other because they are at the same level. this made my heart ache a little, wish not for different, but different, you know?
February 18th, 2009 at 4:02 am
*sigh*
February 18th, 2009 at 8:27 pm
Oh, I hope it’s as delightful as that when our second baby joins the family.
February 18th, 2009 at 11:44 pm
I know.
It’s so magical to see my kids’ relationships with each other – although there ARE times when it’s less than totally perfect. Still, I love that they have each other.
February 20th, 2009 at 12:05 am
One of the great discoveries of motherhood is that there is nothing quite so heart warming as sibling adoration, nothing quite so aggravating as sibling rivalry, and nothing quite so dizzying as how quickly the two sometimes interchange.
February 20th, 2009 at 12:32 am
Oh, my heart. You’ve captured it all so perfectly, as always.