17 Again.

This blog has always been a place for crafty things, sharing my fibre projects and ideas, but in the past several years it’s included a few more posts about my family life. I’ve tried to keep my sweetgeorgia life and my family life a little separate, but there’s been at least a few posts that are all about my babies. One stands out in my memory very clearly. It’s the one when Russell turned 17 months. I think it’s because what I felt that that moment, at 17 months post-partum, I finally felt like I had reached the “new normal”. And so when I had baby Nina last year, I looked towards this 17 month mark as the opening, again, to things becoming easier and smoother.

Last Wednesday, she turned 17 months and I’m here again… with a toddler that is full on running and climbing since she was 9 1/2 months old. She’s grown into this beautiful girl with a strong personality already, very clearly communicating what she wants and doesn’t want. In fact, she told me on no uncertain terms that she didn’t want to wear a pink skirt today, but blue pants instead. She can say a whole bunch of words already from mama and baba to “more more” and “all done”, nai nai (for milk), “no no”, dog, bear, book, duck, ball, balloon, up, down, popcorn, ge ge (for older brother in Chinese), poo poo, and of course, Peppa Pig. She’s tough, capable, and independent already.

Nina and Russell in the woods. Going camping for the first time with Nina at Golden Ears.

Being the little sister of an older brother, she’s getting an education in standing up for herself and also in cement trucks and excavators. She watches and learns everything from Russell, immediately imitating him whether he is dancing, jumping, climbing, or crying. It’s amazing to watch them interact and so wonderful when they are sweet to each other.

Nina and Russell looking at the sand sculptures on the beach in Parksville, Vancouver Island.

Being the younger sister, Nina also has to deal with the fact that we simply have split focus and attention these days. She’s never experienced a life where she is the only kid we need to care for, and so, from a super early age she seemed to just get on with it. Mama’s busy making breakfast? Ok, I’ll go find something to do. It’s been weirdly amazing to see this.

Nina helping me in the attic.

These days, Nina is my constant companion. If she’s not napping in the mornings on days when she’s not with her grandparents, she’s accompanying me in the attic, taking photographs, styling yarns, tying warp ends, and things like that. She’s a whole person with a whole set of her own interests and experiences. I’m just so blessed to be able to be a part of her life and I hope that I do enough to help guide and grow her into her own person.