The only day of the week that Beatrix knows is Tuesday, dance class day. Well, she probably knows Sunday as well. But I must admit, she gets more excited about Tuesdays.
For the past two weeks the little girls have been led by my friend Lori’s daughter. They have staged these really elaborate (and rather long) dance routines. It’s all very dramatic and wonderful. (you know, the good kind of dramatic that doesn’t involve whining or crying.)
For some reason, Beatrix dropped out of the routine early in this week’s performance.
Larkspur was thrilled with the whole thing though and stayed unusually focused. She loves this class so much and is making little girlfriends for the first time ever. I swear it’s “Mary Elizabeth this, and Mary Elizabeth that….”
Meanwhile, well, not meanwhile, but that would sound good. Ummm….later that day….I got this old ring stacker down from my closet for Silas to play with. I’ve had it since Seth was a baby. I love that in this photo, Silas totally looks all advanced like he is about to stack that ring right where it goes on the red stack. But really, he’s just pulling it off.
He didn’t get to play for long before Beatrix decided that she wanted to keep everything neat and tidy and basically told him to get lost. “No, Si Si!”
He didn’t mind. He would rather practice standing. That is what I am referring to in the title of this post. The answer is no, I am not ready.
I am not ready for this boy, 8 months old in less than a week, to start standing up (and falling down and bumping his head…constantly.) This stage is difficult. I want to protect him, our dear Silas Lolek…but I don’t want to hold him back either. Wait a minute, maybe I do want to hold him back….Just six months ago, he was an infant. Six months from now, he’ll be a toddler. But we all know this, that the time goes so very fast. It’s easy to forget in the early hard months when life feels like chaos and you can’t get anything done. But then time passes, things get easier, and before you know it your baby is trying to stand up. (And of course you still can’t get anything done, and life is still chaotic. It’s just easier somehow.)
Oh, and before I go, I must show you what Beatrix was doing the other night after dinner (with a bit of dinner still on her face.) She must have been there for a minute or so before we noticed her over there, carefully touching fingertips to fingertips; meditating I am sure on what her next mischievous deed might be.
p.s. I’ve got crocus blooming indoors on my windowsill. That’s normal.
There are daffodils coming up in my front yard. That’s not normal. It’s January.
p.p.s. I added a F.A.Q. page after meaning to do so for ages. You can access it via the tab above my header photo.
p.p.p.s. I am hosting a super great giveaway this weekend, so check back!
Morgan says
I love the story about dance class—it sounds just like me when I was a little girl. My class even had a performance in a big theater that we (the eight-year-olds) got to choreograph ourselves. There was a whole elaborate story but in the videotape of the performance you can’t decipher any of it.
This is a bit off topic (or opposite to the topic), I know, but I was wondering what wrap or sling you like best for carrying babies? A good friend of mine is expecting her second baby, while her oldest is only a year old, and was recently wondering aloud how she would have enough hands to do everything. (They live in a walk-up apartment and the oldest can’t navigate stairs yet.) She’s tried a sling before but couldn’t get it quite right. I thought of your blog and said that I would ask what you use. Happy Monday!
lori says
this is awesome. really REALLY great photos. love beatrix and silas. omg. and no, you’ll not be ready, for any of it. i am still struggling with the fact that mine grew up, moved on…
Teresa C says
When I read the title I thought of a new new baby… The answer to Bea’ prayers 🙂
diabra says
Gorgeous baby photos of Silas. He is just lovely. I pray he is protected from too many bumps and that you have the arnica gel ready for when they do happen. Beatrix is a treat too.
Linda says
The dog kissing the baby is so precious! Love your photos as always.
Ngo Family Farm says
Oh goodness, I love those photos of Silas! What a bright boy. And the last one of Beatrix is classic, too 🙂 Thanks for sharing them with us.
-Jaime
Francesca B. says
Silas seems such a good natured boy…and yes he looks very determined, he is on a mission!!! Life is so fast…..and having children doesn’t really help in a way….
Maggie says
That photo of Beatrix is classic! I might have to get Organised Simplicity and read it, looks like it is working at your place. I could not take a photo of our wee man in the house and post it on the internets for everyone to see how unkept my house is at the moment!
barbara woods says
love that look when he was looking at himself in the mirror
Emily says
I just love the pictures of Silas’s eyes peaking over the edge of the bed/couch/whatever with the hand stretched out. Too perfect. I occasionally try to remember my kids doing that around my bed as their current HUGE bodies are doing gymnastics on said bed. poor bed.
San says
Pip was walking and also climbing the bookcase at ten months… and she still continues to balance and climb precariously at three!! You’ll just have to have plenty of arnica to hand to deal with the bumps and bruises!!
Bea is certainly a character… totally understand, I have one too!!!
Hugs San x
Tirza says
That last photo of Beatrix cracked me up. And your son looks so much like your husband, doesn’t he?
heather says
I know what you mean about the “beginner walker” stage. It’s always a time of high anxiety for me. You are a beautiful mother. Such a great example for so many of us out here. Thank you. And “Lolek”? I got so happy when I read that! Great name!
Leanne says
Great post. Loved it 🙂
Heather says
Love those photos of Beatrix. She definitely has a great spirit. Upside down – maybe she just wanted to look at things in a new way. I find it so interesting that we cannot wait for our firstborn to accomplish their milestones. With each subsequent babe, the desire to keep them little is much stronger as we know how fast it truly passes.
Courtney says
My little guy just turned 8 months last week and has just started pulling up too! I am SO not ready! I love how you have captured that moment of pure pride and joy when they get themselves up. Makes all the crazy worth it.
Nicki says
Ginny,
Thank you for your honesty in you writings. I am the same age as you and have 5 little ones. I, too, struggle with anxiety at times and also feeling overwhelmed. Our youngest is 11 weeks old and I am just now, feeling like I light be gaining some control. Yeah, right! I am wondering about being TV free…honestly, I use the television too much. Both for down time for myself and also for my children. Sometimes, things just get so crazy around here that I need some quiet. How did you become “tv free” and how do you handle those crazy moments/days when your head is spinning and you are overwhelmed?
Sincerely,
Nicki
Minnesota
Ginny says
Getting rid of the television was hard at first, but only for a few days really as everyone adjusts. Jonny and I have never had cable or even just local channels, so we were just watching videos. I found that it was easier to get rid of it entirely rather than try to limit it’s use. I was always tempted to let them watch one more video so that I could get something done. And knowing that watching videos was an option, my kids constantly begged to watch them. As for downtime for yourself, Jonny and I stream shows or movies on the computer occasionally. But honestly, we rarely seem to have time! Oh, and in those crazy moments, I typically give myself little pep talks–reminding myself that this is going to pass and everything is okay. That may sound insufficient, but it really helps me. I also make sure to schedule time for myself here and there throughout the week.
Courtney says
I envy you, not having a television. I really wish we could get rid of ours. Honestly my kids would hardly mind. They don’t watch much at all and now that we have finished the downstairs room for a playroom they don’t see it constantly and don’t even ask for it. Its my husband won’t go without it. Drives me crazy when he has to have it on all evening after the kids are in bed. I would love to be able to sit in the living room and read or knit instead of having to hide in the bedroom.
amy says
Oh, the pride on Silas’ face as he pulls himself up is priceless. And, I do so love any photo of a baby standing in front of a mirror. I know it’s challenging, but it’s wonderful too. He’s getting an ever greater sense of himself and what he can do. Good luck. We’ll keep watching!
annita says
Wonderful pictures! Beautiful children! Happy weekend! +JMJ+
swanski says
I agree with you on the standing up and bumping the head. Our son was a climber at 8-14 months. I found him on top of the children’s picnic table-safe-but I never ran so fast. I was so thankful when that phase was over. (I always enjoy seeing what Beatrix is doing-never a dull moment)
ang says
i was only looking at dream squishy yarn today :: in that crocus purple.
have you ever seen a colour so bedazzling/?
Ellen says
It won’t be long! I remember that stage (especially the 1st) – you hope and encourage and push them a bit to stand, to walk…not realizing how your life will change and how unbaby proof everything is once they start walking… Love the dog licking Silas’ face and ear! Yuck! And the dance class is perfect for your girls – creative and imaginative and a little bit of magic every Tuesday.
Nadja says
Oh, someone else mentioned Silas’ adorable, huge cloth diaper bum before I did! I miss those, too!
Yes, it goes so quickly (see my [this moment} post this morning!), and for me there are no more baby moments, so every milestone of Gemma’s is bittersweet and a little tragic for me.
Love that last shot of Bea…she does look rather contemplative…
ericaceae says
Look at that diaper butt! So cute.
Andromeda Jazmon says
I am so impressed that you can grab these absolutely adorable photos while at the same time managing a house full of imps (gorgeous and impish the lot of them)!! How do you do that?
Jane says
Such beautiful pictures, as always. When I saw the title and then a picture of Beatrix dressed a bit like a bride, I sure was wondering! That dance class looks like little girl heaven. And by the thrilled looks on Silas’s face, there will be no stopping him now.
Brit says
I love the pictures of Silas peeking up over the edge of the couch cushion. And your little Beatrix … she definitely looks like she is planning something. 🙂
Anna says
oh how I love to read about your household, full of love and laughter…… knitted things and blue eyes. You are a blessed woman indeed. Thank you for letting us all tag along on the adventure. I just cannot believe how the little man has grown… it seems like it was just yesterday…….
Amanda Steed says
I love that picture of Silas about to peek over with those little fingers splayed out in the air. Adorable.
CrunchyCatholicMomma says
Aw Ginny, Can we put some weights into his nappy? lol. He looks pretty determined to me but after 8 babies I know how bitter sweet that is. Love that picture of him peering over the couch or whatever that is in front of him…so sweet and Beatrix definitely looks like she is contemplating her next move.
Ginny says
Those pants do a great job of accentuating the giant cloth diaper bum!!
Kelly says
I love your blog! I love reading about what Beatrice is up to. The girls are precious in this post and I just love how the baby is so pleased with himself. Adorable!
Kelly says
So sorry, I meant Beatrix 🙂
molly says
oh, those four pictures are priceless!!
actually, so’s the meditation.
good luck, ginny 🙂
Amanda says
my littlest was walking at barely 11 months. she is 14 now, and running, climbing, an into everything! the months go too quickly.
Steph says
You may not be ready for it Mama but he seems mighty pleased with himself!
heathermama says
you have such great photographs.
my wee one will be 1 next week. what happened to the time? this has been the fastest year ever. after 5 other children you would think i would be use to it, but i’m not.
Lisa G. says
Lolek? Are you Polish?
Cute picture of Beatrix.
Ginny says
No, we’re not. He’s named for Blessed John Paul II. His nickname was Lolek.
Lisa G. says
Yes, I thought of him right away. A good choice!