Notes on an Unhurried Journey

Notes on an Unhurried Journey

When we adults think of children, there is a simple truth which we ignore: childhood is not preparation for life; childhood is life. A child isn’t getting ready to live; a child is living. The child is constantly confronted with the nagging question, “What are you going to be?” Courageous would be the youngster who, looking the adult squarely in the face, would say, “I’m not going to be anything; I already am.” We adults would be shocked by such an insolent remark, for we have forgotten, if indeed we ever knew, that a child is an active participating and contributing member of society from the time he is born. Childhood isn’t a time when he is molded into a human who will then live life; he is a human who is living life. No child will miss the zest and joy of living unless these are denied him by adults who have convinced themselves that childhood is a period of preparation. How much heartache we would save ourselves if we would recognize the child as a partner with adults in the process of living, rather than always viewing him as an apprentice. How much we would teach each other… adults with the experience and children with the freshness. How full both our lives could be. A little child may not lead us, but at least we ought to discuss the trip with him, for after all, life is his and her journey too.

-Professor T. Ripaldi


my sweets, living each moment, (in this particular one, playing with photo booth on the macbook).

waddling

I have another post ready to go, I just need to find the pictures I wanted to include. But in the meantime, I thought I would give you a funny image - I was watching Ophelia toddle down the hall with a rather full diaper ... as she waddled back and forth on her way from one adventure to the next I realized that I am walking exactly the same way these days. So we waddle together :) (only 3 weeks to go until due date!!)

reminiscing

I was sitting here with Ophelia as she fell asleep on me and spent a few moments remembering these types of moments with each of my babies. I wanted to write it down so that it doesn't get forgotten and this seemed like a good place.

Ophelia is a snuggler. She cuddles up with her face buried into your neck - she likes the feel of skin, not clothes. On me, she sticks her little hand under the collar of my shirt or into my cleavage (this can be a tad embarrassing). It is so lovely to be close and spend just a few minutes snuggling!

Keidis was also a snuggler, but less so than Ophelia. One of my favourite things about Keidis and sleeping at this age was that he was VERY easy to put to sleep when he got tired. It was quite hilarious actually. All you needed to do was get him settled on your lap, put a blanket over his head and he was out like a light. Literally, once the blanket was covering his face he was out. Thirty seconds flat!

Kaya was not really much of a snuggler, except when she was ready to nap. I recall her cuddling herself around my belly when I was pregnant with Keidis. She liked to lay ACROSS my belly, not up and down, and she was also very particular about where she put her hand. It went up my shirt from the bottom with her hand resting on the skin of my belly. I loved it, although it could also be quite embarrassing as well.

Oh how I love my babies.