I was going through all of Bear's baby pictures trying to figure out what it was I played with her at J-jo's age since I've been feeling stumped at what to do with him. Not that he is very much interested in what I want to do with him; he just wants to follow Bear around and do what she does. It feels like the majority of my time is spent talking to Bear and not focusing on J-jo. I know that isn't the actuality, just the perception. But, I can't help but compare the two of them. Bear could do so much more at his age - like walk, respond more to simple commands, imitate, talk. So is it my lack of focus on him or just his personality or just his brain; I will never know. But it doesn't matter. These are all just motherly insecurities on my part. I love J-jo and he does plenty, like hug me and give me slobbery kisses and make me laugh with his silliness.
Since I started blogging when Bear was 18 months, I thought I'd share some 10 and 11 month old photos of Bear.
Bear at ten months was already helping me bake.
She was very much into yoga already.
And loved to feed (and chase and catch) pigeons.
My baby girl turned 2 today - I am having similar feelings today (I may have even shed a tear or 2....)
ReplyDeleteCute pics though, thanks for sharing!
Jody
These are the same thoughts I've had lately with Jack and Jesse. Jack is very much where he should be developmentally, but I am at such a loss as to what to do with him during school time. He wants to be involved but it's so hard to include him. He is so different from Joe or Hanna at two. His attention span is almost non-existent and he isn't as "gentle" with things like they were/are.
ReplyDeleteJesse on the other hand is not doing nearly what his brothers and sisters were at ten months. He is very, very much a baby. I thought he would be doing so much now seeing he has 3 older siblings.
So....I have been worrying just as you that I am giving my everything to the 3 oldest and he isn't getting enough and that's why he's not ahead like they were.
I know it will all work out for you and me, but I know how you feel and am there with you:-).
BTW, I cannot believe all that Bear was doing at 10 months--now my Jesse really looks bad:-)! Sorry for this looooonnnngg comment!
Aw! I know how you feel! I've been wanting to post baby pictures lately and when I was sorting through her old clothes to give to a friend, I held up her little bitty shirt and thought, "She fit into this once!" They grow up too fast, don't they?
ReplyDeleteI've heard boys develop differently. So, it could be that as well.
I finally get to see a photo of both of you together! Great pics!
I totally hear you about what you call "motherly insecurities". I keep reminding myself not to compare. Most of the time I feel I'm failing as a mother and "teacher" with my 3 yo. Thanks for sharing. I have so many confessions to make but wouldn't have the courage to post about it.
ReplyDeleteYou're doing a GREAT JOB MOMMY!!!
I remember pigeons, I grew up in NYC! Don't have many of them here in rural pa, robins, sparrows, black birds those are what we see now. Plus the occasional cardinal.
ReplyDeleteDon't get too concerned about your little one. I have had 6 children, 3 of whom are in there teen years and they were allll different.
I have an award for you over at my blog. I invite you to stop by when you get the chance:
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SO adorable - and they grow up so quickly, don't they!
ReplyDeleteI'm sure you are echoing the concerns/guilt of so many of us moms.
ReplyDeleteMy kids were the opposite with my daughter (the 2nd child) being able to do so much more than my son did at her age. Which is funny since he had my undivided attention. I always say I'm glad she was born 2nd, b/c if she was first I would've been super worried about my son not developing at the same level.
Of course, I have no actual experience, but isn't it a bit of "boy/girl" thing. I think that J-Jo probably will learn more from Bear that he could have learned from his own activities - siblings are best teachers (again, spoken from someone with no experience, I am an only :))
ReplyDeleteBoys are a little slower in some things, and it could just be personality.
ReplyDeleteOne of my friends, her third, a girl, was almost 18 months before she started walking or really talking, but her older two started walking and talking right on schedule.
So, it's all in the kid.
Great post, and don't worry too much!
I think that it is natural to have worries; when you love your children you think about how best to love and guide them. (And those thoughts can turn into worries, when there is so much love).
ReplyDeleteSomething I've noticed, as the mother of two boys, is that...hmm, how do I put this...there are wonderful blogs with activities I'd love to do...but they just won't work for my boys. I don't know if it's a boy thing or just a my kid thing, but... It seems like people who have one little girl can do very different things with that girl than I ever could with my boys.
But, having little boys is pretty cool too. :)
I also think it's important to enjoy the magic of babyhood and early childhood. I know I am guilty of wanting to rush things, and I have a feeling that I'll be more disappointed if I missed out on some extra snuggles with a baby than if I missed out on teaching him how to do something early. I'd worry if he isn't walking at 18 months or if he turned two and you'd never baked with him. At his age now - I wouldn't worry.