Living Arrows | Growing Up

'You are the bows from which your children as living arrows are sent forth' Khalil Gibran.  

This week's picture was taken at King's Park, Retford almost exactly 2 years on from the first picture. I remember everything about the first picture, I remember her outfit, the picnic we took, her little pink first shoes. I remember her tears as she fell over, her squeals as she went down the slide and the tired eye rubs when it all got too much. I remember nappies, bottles and feeling hassled. Oh how I wish I could go back and enjoy baby Iris just that little bit longer.

Now here we are with an almost 3 year old little girl. I miss my baby but I am so proud of the lady she has become. I see so many people describe toddlers as 'demons', 'sassy divas' and 'terrible' and whilst Iris certainly has had her tantrums and has frustrated me beyond all measure I can hand on heart say that she has been a good toddler. She eats, sleeps and talks well. We've had no trouble with her developmental milestones- in fact she's ahead in most areas but the thing i'm most proud of is her spirit. She's kind beyond measure, always willing to share, never snatches and barely uses the word 'mine'. She plays well with others, she deals well with her emotions and she is genuinely happy a large majority of the time and whilst I miss those baby noises I am grateful for the chats we can now have. It makes my heart burst when she tells me she loves me and I adore hearing her whisper to the dog "I love you mate" as we leave the house.

We're on a fast approach to her 3rd birthday- just five weeks to go and whilst i'm full of all the emotions I am ultimately proud, proud of Iris and proud of myself.

Thanks for reading,

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