My Lily - the Sister Bear // Right Now

Following on from yesterday's post about Eli, today I want to capture my little Lily as she is Right Now...

One constant source of delight in my girl is her love of craft and creating. Glancing over to see this common view never ceases to bring a smile to my face... little girl lost in her own world. Any moment of free time, this is where she is. Give this kid a roll of sticky tape and/or glue, scraps of paper and some scissors and she is in her element making all manner of sculptures. Some glitter, stickers or ribbon is an added bonus! Totally self-directed and engaged. Today as well as making a bunch of little paper people, she made me a zigzag paper bracelet and was so pleased when I wore it the rest of the afternoon 'Mummy, I love that you are wearing my bracelet I made' she kept saying with a shyly pleased smile upon her face.

Lily at 4.5 Years Old 

Likes

Crafting, drawing, painting. Dressing up, singing, dancing and swimming. Playing with friends, sleepovers, giggling. Eating ice. The colours pink, purple, silver, gold. 'Horsey wrestles' with Dad.

Dislikes

Wearing jeans and tracksuit pants. Anything mildly 'scary'. Seeing people upset or hurt. 

Who Are You?

Lily, my sweet girl. You are sweetness personified. Full of laughter and love. Everyone you meet is a friend a and you give your heart to everyone. These days you eagerly embrace everything that is 'big girl' - and I am constantly surprised at what you are capable of. Getting drinks, folding and putting away washing and assisting Eli in all manner of tasks. You are soooo excited about the new baby coming soon and I think you feel you will be taking on pretty much all of his care! I have been so moved by your compassion and awareness during my sickness, always checking on me and telling me to rest. You are so tender-hearted in the way you see and care for others around you - remembering details about everyone you come across, and what is happening in their lives. Cheeky, funny, emotional, quirky. You love to make jokes (haven't quite worked out the knock-knock logic but you do try!), love to make up rhymes, love to get wild and silly and crazy. 

You are fiercely loyal and protective. We hear all about the protective Mama-Bear - yet lesser known but just as fierce is the little Sister-Bear. If any harm or sadness should befall any member of your family, your reaction is extreme. You hover over your little brother and make us parents feel almost negligent from the amount of times you caution us to check on him, keep him safe from the edge of a lake (which is 50 metres away), etc. If he is hurt, you are hurt. If he is at the smallest risk of injury, you stand self-appointed guard. If you ever see me cry or hurt, you freak out. Seriously freak out. One rare time I was crying in front of you, you were like a wild-cat - shrieking, clawing, hysterical till you could get to me. We had never seen you like that before... you love and care so fiercely, little girl. Is this all an eldest child thing? Just who you are? I don't know but I just know how passionately you care for those around you in the most raw and vulnerable way... surely the source of joy and pain in coming years... but so very, very brave.

Lily, my sweet hearted girl - you truly inspire me with your compassion, love and open-hearted joy. I marvel at the way friends gather around you, attracted to your kind, friendly and inclusive nature. I am so touched by the way you care and think of others, and the way you eagerly desire to help (I mean, you are a kid, so I'm not saying you always want to do chores all day long or anything!). But kiddo, I think you are wonderful.  I am so proud to have you as my daughter... proud and richly blessed!

Daddy and Baby - the  rest of the family were added later!

My Eli // Right Now

Closely tracking a beetle's journey... with just a little interference!

My Project 366 is almost at a close. In fact, I have just three days left. Yes, this makes me feel strangely emotional...  but I am partially blaming my almost-38-weeks-pregnant hormones... I mean, I should be feeling relieved and not sad, right!? 

Anyway, before I chase down that rabbit  hole - I guess I just feel an urge to sentimentally wrap a few things up and one way to do that is to nab an idea from We Stood Together and do a couple of 'Right Now' posts, capturing the kiddo's current age and stage, at the end of this year-long photographic journey. 

So... here is Eli at 2.5 years old...

Likes

Playing with his sister, reading books, wrestles with Daddy, cuddles, building with blocks, being cheeky/making jokes, riding his scooter, his blue star blanket, his Bumblebee wheatbag, having visitors come over.

Dislikes

Sitting still, very mushy foods. 

Um, I'm sure there are more but just can't think of any... will add more later!

 Who are you?

I often marvel at you, little man. You are so wild and yet so tender. Such a crazy, kooky, excitable and loud boy and yet you show so many gentle characteristics too. You make a Mama's heart melt with your doting ways. You have the most adorable manners, saying a charming 'Fankchoo, Mummy!' for things I would never even think to expect a thanks for - like wiping your face after a meal (you little messpot!) or after I strap you into or out of your car seat. I love to hear your genuine thanks popping up even in these mundane tasks. I come out of my room wearing a dress and your eyes light up as you shriek 'Mummy, love your beyoooful dress!!'. You will win some lucky girl's heart one (faraway) day with that kinda talk, young man! Yesterday over dinner you even kindly pronounced out of nowhere 'Mummy, you got beyooful brown hair.' *melt*
You watch over me so tenderly, my dearest boy. After witnessing so many months of this pregnancy sickness, sadly you are accustomed to me not being at full capacity (perhaps it is all you recall? Ohhhh, that makes me sad). The slightest sigh or weary movement from me as I lug myself around and you pipe up 'You ok, Mummy? You sick? You frow up? You tired?' If I say yes to any of the above, I get a pat on the leg 'You rest, Mummy. Have good sweep (sleep)'. Truly. Who is this considerate kid?! 

One gesture I'm not sure I will be able to capture on camera but want to record is that when we sit together on the couch or snuggle into bed and I put my arm around those precious little shoulders of yours, you have started pulling away. 'Sit up, Mama' you order and the first time I eventually did lean forward with much confusion. You then put your teeny little matchstick arm against the pillow and pulled me back down. Yes, you wanted to put your arm around me. And so I am forced to gingerly lie against your little arm, trying not to snap it's twiggy little bone as you proudly clutch my shoulder - a boy caring for his mama as surely you have seen your Daddy do. Ok, (blaming hormones) the tears come to my eyes now... yes, you know how to melt my heart into puddles!

Eli, my man of wild emotions. You can go from 'bery, bery, sad' to a cheeky cackle in seconds. You cry big, you laugh big, you love big. You get so excited you have to throw your body around the room in a wild expression of the joy in your soul.... one minute a tough little man wrestling Daddy, the next minute happily dancing around the room with your sister whilst wearing one of her many fairy skirt!

You have a little bit of everything in you and with all that passion and charisma, will surely lead a wildly wonderful life. God bless you, son.

xx