Monday, June 10, 2013

Lavinia May

It's hard to imagine how unique each of your children will be. As Edmund grew and I got to know his personality, it just made sense that he is the way he is. I couldn't imagine how my future children would be different, but Lavinia is very much her own person.

Lavinia May

She is much more cuddly and clingy to me than Edmund ever was. Sometimes I am tempted to feel tired or inconvenienced when she wants me and no one else, but then I remind myself that this is such a short time, and how wonderful it is to be loved so deeply by this little girl. Unlike her brother, she is a thumbsucker, especially when she is tired or holding something soft! Several months ago, I bought her a teddy bear "lovey" as a sleep aid, and boy does it work! As soon as she holds the bear, in pops her thumb and she's off in happy land.

Lavinia loves to eat a lot more than Edmund did at this age, too, but she is more picky about her foods. She is still not walking at nearly thirteen months, though Edmund was walking at ten months. She is strongly opinionated about her wants, but at the same time, is deeply sensitive. Douglas or I can tell her, "No, no, Lavinia" in the most gentle tones, and she will take a moment to process it, then purse up her face and burst into tears as if we had brutally wounded her feelings.

Lavinia adores Edmund, and he genuinely loves his little sister, too. Edmund likes to make Lavinia laugh; he talks to her and takes a lot of notice of her. Some of my happiest moments as a mother are seeing the two of them enjoying each other. Other happy times are when Lavinia throws her tiny, soft arms around my neck, or, out of the blue, Edmund says something sweetly thoughtful and beyond his years. Thanks and praise to my Heavenly Father for the chance to be a mama to these two precious individuals.

12 comments:

  1. This is such a happy, bright post! This made my day, thank you. :)

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  2. Laura!
    I don't have any children but my sister has used those bears with her two little ones. She recommended this to me and I have never forgotten it. Her advice: "Dawn, when you have children, make sure you buy several extra bears and keep them in the closet." Both of her children have lost their bears and she's able to pop out a second one after exhausting all options. Her children are 3 and 6 now and they still sleep with their bears- and she still has one extra for each of them, just in case...
    In Christ,
    Dawn

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    1. Dawn, thank you for passing that along, great point! I suppose I am living dangerously by only having one. ;)

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  3. Hi Laura,

    That is what I always told myself when they seemed to only want me-that they are only little for so long-enjoy it. It seems like a cliché, but it is just so true. It is amazing how each child is an individual uniquely created. Each of mine are so different! Beautiful post, thanks. Pam

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    1. Thanks for the encouragement from a mom who's been there, done that, Pam! :)

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  4. She sounds adorable! I love how even small children have such clearly defined personalities.

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    1. Thanks, Rachel -- yes, it is so fun to "discover" the personalities. I'm so happy for you and your soon-to-come little one!

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  5. I really appreciate your updates, even if they're only a few every month. :)
    Tricia R.

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  6. How sweet! Lavinia sounds like my little girl--she adores babies, she doesn't like to be chastised (even gently!), and she is a bona fide mama's girl (fading now that she's 2.5...a bittersweet milestone). I love and enjoy all your blog posts!

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    1. Thanks, Polly! Little girls are a joy, aren't they?

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