Mummy Moment: blossoming into girlhood

From the time we welcome them into our open arms, our little ones are constantly growing and changing. Sometimes, it is clear; A bigger shoe size, or those jeans that needed to be rolled up are now “capri” style. Other times it is less obvious; you pause to remember the last time they had an afternoon nap; the circles and squiggles become stars, suns and fairies. When you pull out the art easel for your little artist, and she looks at you and says, “Mum, I am too big for this!”

This is what happened to me last week. My little artist asked to paint, and I needed to complete an assignment for a photography workshop I am doing. She paints, and I shoot…win/win. I went and found the art easel, and I was in shock when she towered above it. When did that happen? When did my daughter grow out of being a toddler? When did all those bumps and bruises end as she learnt to walk, and now we race each other down the street. When did all that baby babble turn into singing Justin Beiber songs? When did she grow?

Why have my eyes been closed? She is the youngest of five, so I have been here before. However, I think I was too busy with the next baby to experience this same level of shock. I think I experienced the same ” when did she grow” when a new baby was introduced into our home.  I have seen the signs, but I did not remove the blinkers. I was not ready to face this change. As I shot these images, my eyes opened to the young girl that was sitting before me. I saw her girlhood. I saw the caring, funny, and sometimes shy girl that was before me. I saw the artist who needs a taller easel, and I celebrated.