“If there is anything that we wish to change in the child, we should first examine it and see whether it is not something that could better be changed in ourselves”
Carl Jung
Thirteen years ago today I met my beautiful, tall, skinny, funny, confident daughter. She arrived two weeks early and emerged into the world calmly and relatively painlessly, compared to my two boys who fought for days to stay within my body (or perhaps it was my body that refused to let them go). When we met I was astounded. She was so perfect. My heart enlarged a little bit more and as with all my children my heart has subsequently felt as if it spends more time on the outside of my body than on the inside.
She is an almost daily reminder of my youth. She steals my mascara, my Ugg boots, my clothes. She infuriates me sometimes because we are so similar, but there is nothing I wouldn’t do for her (apart from pick her up from her disco on Saturday night) and I love her more than she will ever know.
Happy birthday my gorgeous pea in the pod girl. I wouldn’t change you for the world.
We hugged before she went to sleep last night and I said farewell to my 12 year old. This morning as I kissed her I welcomed a new teenager into in the house.
As I dropped her at school this morning I wound the window down and shouted “Happy Birthday” at the top of my lungs, just to embarrass her in that lovely way that parents enjoy so much and my 8 year old was horrified. “Go on shout to her, she’ll love it” I told him. “Ok then….LOSER!!!!” he shouted really loudly. God. Wrong. Again.
So I am now living with two teenagers and a psycho 8 year old. Shit.
ciara
November 6, 2008haha your 8 yr old cracks me up…but that’s what little 8 yr old brothers do.
happy birthday to your daughter! hope she has a fabulous day. x
Janelle
November 6, 2008ah lovely post lulu..! lovely. we are truly blessed to have girls, eh? xx j
family affairs
November 6, 2008Thanks Ciara for your birthday wishes….
We are so blessed to have girls – safety in numbers and a reminder that I am genetically different to boys in every way is reassuring at the very least Lx
Suzysoo
November 6, 2008Dear Daughter of Lulu,
Hope you’ve had the biggest,bestest birthday ever!
From Suzysoo in Cornwall xx
Bush Mummy
November 7, 2008Oh bloody hell you’ve just made me cry. Gorgeous.
BM x (sniff)
Expat mum
November 7, 2008Ah, I love young teenage girls. Teenage boys, hmmm. Still getting used to that. And yes, the little ones are funny with them aren’t they? My 5 year old talks like a 20 year old. I never know what’s going to come out of his mouth.
great post.
family affairs
November 7, 2008Sorry BM I didn’t mean to do that! Thx EM – yes, teenage girls are at least for me to understand!! Lx
A Mother's Place is in the Wrong
November 8, 2008How lovely Lulu, you are truly blessed. Another Teenager was just what you wanted.
Have so much enjoyed reading all your posts – it’s lovely catching up with you – where do you find the time, btw? M xx
PS. My verification word is “Tramnok” – surely that must mean something?
family affairs
November 8, 2008Thanks Margot, I am blessed, you’re right…not sure I do find the time – running around like a headless chicken as ever, but nevermind – at least it makes things interesting Lx