Growing up Ivy.
She
dressed herself this morning.
This girl, who clings to me.
This little one.
This baby, who I have pulled from my bed, barely conscious with fever and infection.
She dressed herself.
It was the first time.
She chose the pants and the shirt, she decided on her own underwear.
She would not let any one of us help her.
She was determined to do it herself
and she did,
of course she did.
Even though her body lets her down sometimes,
she is the strongest person I know
and I am so proud of her
but
I’m also sad.
She’s growing up.
She’s learning independence.
It’s the way of things,
it’s meant to be
but I’m not ready to lose my baby
or my baby days.
I’m not ready for my independence.
It’s okay though
because I’ll probably be dressing this guy
until he’s ten.
That first photo is actually spectacular.
GO Ivy !
God love them , they are adorable. (hugs)
I miss the days of dressing my babies too.
Love Noah’s new shirt !
ps Joel says “Noah don’t have shoes on”
They love seeing your pics
Oh you make my heart melt into big puddles reading this! It’s so hard to see the youngest growing up isn’t it? xx
You brought tears to my eyes xxx
I still see Ivy in my head (when I’m donating) as the pictures I saw when I first started reading your blog – must have been over a year ago. She looks so grown up now. And very lovely.
My just turned 3 year old daughter has to choose her own clothes. Her fashion sense is eclectic to say the least…
This post of yours made me tear up and laugh at the same time. I love that.
She did a great job, dressing herself. Such a big girl. I think Noah might be the next Abercrombie model! He’s got it goin’ on!
This moved me Tiff. Beautiful post.
What a big girl.
They are both adorable!
Ohhh, such sweet words and such adorable pictures. I hope they do not break your heart as my oldest son has broken mine when they are grown. I have been so sick and hurt, and he does not bother to call or come by to help me.
It is a such a bittersweet process isn’t it? SPECIALLY with the babies of the family. They’ll always need you though – and that Mummy’s boy will be giving you cuddles forever
sigh……………….how bittersweet
This post…..WOW! you really have a way of touching my heart. ♥
LOL! How cute is your son! My friend said the same thing about hers! He’s 24 now – dresses himself I think! Haha! Well done Ivy! What a little star and what an inspiration to us all!
Once the growing up starts there really is no turning back is there? Beautiful pictures.
That photo of Noah is heart melting.
Sniff!
But I did laugh at the Noah comment. I reckon boys don’t know how to dress themselves properly til they’re 19
So what’s wrong with the way he dresses? I totally look like that all the time. Except, of course, if Annie sees me before I leave the house. She is, perhaps, a bit more fashion conscious than I am.
Gorgeous photos of both of them and it is hard to let go as they start to spread their wings. As parents we have that bittersweet job though as we rejoice in them finding those wings we struggle that they don’t need as much. We have to draw our strength from giving them the confidence to be willing to try and stretch their wings.
Hugs though cause the reality is never as easy as the theory
Thanks for your sweet e-mail this morning. I was having a very BLUE day, and it helped to have someone care. Hugs and kisses from Memphis and the Home of Elvis! – Kathleen
Oh congratulations Ivy! It’s a defining moment in her life and she did so well to not need any help at all. I bet she’s already thinking about what she’s going to pick out tomorrow! A friend of mine said when her daughter started clothing herself she was concerned she wouldn’t be involved anymore, but she soon realised that having her daughter ask her opinion of how she looks, rather than just dressing her, was beautiful!
Noah looks so cool – adore the t-shirt. Its a girl thing getting dressed, its in the genes I think preparing for future fashion decisions takes practice and more practice!
Woohoo at Ivy… and the sentence about Noah just made me laugh!
Absolutely beautiful little girl! Isn’t it just sad how fast they grow? I’m not looking forward to my independence either.
I can’t get over how much both of them have grown! Great pics, as usual…
I have myself a little fashion tyrant, Caden will only let me pick his clothes out if he has right-of-refusal on every item I consider, even underpants. He recently decided he doesn’t like underpants with characters that he doesn’t like (like the dark spiderman), and he refuses underpants if they have been washed repeatedly and faded. He likes his undies bright and new!
At our most recent doctors appointment, he announced to everyone there that he had his GI Joe “Snake Eyes” underpants on, and proceeded to asked each person (including other patients) if they wanted to see them *eek*! When the nurse and doctor entered the exam room, he was on the table on all fours butt in the air, clothed only in underpants, so they would get a GOOD LOOK at them. Lovely!
Love and hugs from Chicago!
Liz
Boo wants to know if Ivy and Noah can come to her birthday party on Saturday??? I think you might just make it if you pack up the tribe in the bus today!
Wow..are you ever a fantastic photographer. Beautiful beautiful blog.
Lovely post.
I love, love, love this photo of Ivy