I’ve always been a lover of babies and babies have almost always loved me. I don’t know if it is something about my face or my voice, but it is a very rare baby that doesn’t respond to me with a lot of joy. So when I was expecting Caroline, I expected to really enjoy her as a baby. I thought the time between infant/baby and age three or so would be my least favorite.
In actuality, it has turned out just the opposite.
I did not enjoy the infant stage as much as I thought I would. (That’s another post.) But I have absolutely loved the 18-23 months we’ve been going through.
Part of it is just the relationship. When she was an infant, there simply was not enough relationship for me to enjoy. (That’s another post, too.) But this little chatty, inquisitive, learning something new every hour child is just a delight to me.
Last weekend when we sat down in church before the service started, Caroline promptly jumped back down and began pulling the Bibles out of the pew rack. As she handed one to me and then one to David, she loudly pronounced, “Bible!” When she was done distributing the Bibles, she climbed back on to the pew and said, “Amen!” At the very least, the pastor and elders know that we are teaching her something at home! But I was so thrilled that she made the connection between what goes on at home and what goes on at church.
Last week I asked her, “Who loves you?” I was fully expecting her to answer, “Mama” or “Daddy.” Her answer? “Jesus.” My heart was just filled with joy! So I asked her who else loved her. “God.” I stopped asking the question. That was enough for me!
Is Reverse Psychology With Children The Same As Lying?
This age is a fun one! Based on my own experience I wholeheartedly agree with you.
What an enchanting photo of your little fairy girl!
I love this age too. I think my daughter is around the same age as yours. It’s kind of crazy some days, definitely a challenging age, but still great. But I tend to say that about all of the ages.
Your daughter’s hair is beautiful, it is SO thick for a two year old!
So sweet!
What a beautiful photo, Sallie! She’s just a darling.
I love reading these little bits about Caroline, as she’s just a bit younger than my granddaughter Hannah. Hannah’s just learned her colors, and she’s so proud of herself that when anyone asks her a question about something (”What’s in your hand, Hannah?” “Where’s your shoe?”) she answers with a color! “Bwown!” “Pink!”
It’s so sweet to watch the toddlers begin to gain an understanding of simple spiritual things. My son-in-law tells me that at bedtime, after praying for whatever or whomever they pray, Hannah wants to add familiar names to her list. So she’ll say, “Ry-ry? Ry-ry? Ry-ry?” until Daddy prays for Ry-Ry. An aside: Ryan is one of her cousins (called Ry-Ry by the littler ones), but for Hannah, Ry-Ry is her collective name for all four cousins. Together in her mind, they are “Ry-Ry.” Too funny!
Oh, what a sweet post. Please do share sometime, some of the things you’ve been teaching her at home to show her the Father’s love. What a precious gift for such a little one to know that God loves her! We are expecting our first, and I pray fervently that our little one will know God’s love from the very start. Thank you for your encouragement!
Sallie –
I could have written this post! I love babies, and they (for the most part) seem to like me as well. But when I had Liam, even though I had an overwhelming love for him, it was so one-sided. I loved nursing him, rocking him, just holding him. But I also looked forward to the day we could go to the library and HE would be the one to pick out his books, that HE would be the one asking “Why!?” a million times…
He turned one this past Saturday. While I’m sad that his babyhood is over, and I’m sad that it feels like it just flew by, I still fall on my knees in praise and thankfulness to the Lord that He blessed me with an easy pregnancy, a healthy baby, and the ability to stay home with him while I finish my masters’. Liam’s started walking, talking, and eating REAL FOOD (finally!) all in the last few weeks – I know it is only a matter of time until he’s 18 and off to college. I plan to continue to enjoy each and every stage as much as I possibly can, but I agree with you….toddlerhood is so much fun!
Personally, my favorite thing he does right now is wave at all the leaves outside our patio door. 🙂
How Sweet! you are certainly laying a firm foundation in Carolyn’s life. if we could all be as sure of God’s Love for us as a she.
I’ve always been charmed by toddlers and fully expected babyhood to be boring, and toddlerhood to be a blast, however I found having an infant quite peaceful and toddlers more challenging, in fact my boy’s toddlerhood is a blur in my memory. (of course having two boys 14 months apart may account for some of that)
MrsN
That is fabulous! I love it when the kids teach us things… always so sweet and simple and profound. Little kiddie reminders of God’s love are the best.
Whatever the age, I just love it when they get that “Hey, I GET it!” look.
My grandson, age 2 1/2 was enjoying an episode of Mr. Roger’s Neighborhood with me. Mr. Roger’s had taken us to a zipper factory, which of course I found fascinating. As I was exclaiming over the wonder of the zipper making process I said “WHO thought of that?” His hand reached over and touched my arm as he said “God did, Beppe.”
I love this post, Sallie. I think the most beautiful thing in the world is to watch a child’s heart warm to things of the Lord and to the Lord himself!
So wonderful.
You’re such a good mother to her!
Love,
Ruthanne
what a beautiful post. Love the new picture! I’m grateful, and praising God, that Caroline is so aware of your love of God and Jesus. How else would she learn how much God and Jesus love her? This is truly a great testimony of the grace that is poured out daily on your home!
I loved that age when my daughter was little. For awhile I had thought of going back to college and studying Early Childhood Development so I used everything I had read with Stephanie. She turned out quite bright, although it may also have been all that Brewer’s Yeast (bluck!) I drank while I was expecting her.
The only baby I’ve been smitten with is my youngest grandson. He was one month old when they visited and had just begun to be able keep eye contact for awhile, which he did quite often with this Grammie… we bonded. 🙂