The "We" Phenomenon
Tuesday, August 15, 2006
Its funny how having a baby affects your personality and the core of who you are. Before Lilly was born, she was "the baby". I was quite attached to her, but she was more like an imaginary friend than my soon-to-be-here baby. We had planned to name her Lilly, but it just sounded funny to say it out loud. So, she was "the baby". After she was born, she suddenly became Lilly and the nursery later became Lilly's room.
Something else funny happened. I started referring to things Lilly does as things that "we" are doing. It was as if Lilly and I became one person. I suppose that easily happens when you have a small baby that goes everywhere with you and consumes almost all your time and energy.
I read that this is about the age that babies discover they are not physically part of you - that they are their own person. I beg to differ. This is the age where mommies discover that their babies truly are not part of them, but a separate person. "We" are starting to become Lilly and I.
What prompted this discovery, you ask? It was the sudden and unexpected appearance of her two bottom teeth. I was shocked to find them as she didn't display any of the normal teething signs. After getting all excited about this milestone, I asked Lilly (in a playful way), "Why didn't you tell me you were growing teeth"? That's when it dawned on me that she really was growing into her own little person. A little person who I grew from a little cluster of cells, birthed, nursed, and loved more than the air I breathe. A little person who is starting the process of separating herself from me and growing up.
Can you feel the tears? At least I get the privilege of watching her grow and discover the world.
posted by Avorie @ 3:25 PM,
6 Comments:
-
At 8:56 PM,
Reesh said...
-
Well said! And way to go Lilly!!
-
At 9:03 AM,
liz said...
-
BAH! I can feel the tears. What a wonderful post.
Sounds like Lilly is on her way to becoming a fine woman, Mommy. -
At 6:26 AM,
Kelly said...
-
Aw. You're such a sweet mommy.
-
At 10:22 AM,
Emmakirst said...
-
Awwwww, what a great post. Yay Lilly :)
-
At 2:23 PM,
AnnaBana said...
-
Oh, that makes me so sad for when that day comes for Cole and I! (I still call him "the baby"!)
-
At 11:56 AM,
Isabel said...
-
What a beautiful post. I have recently felt like Babboo is an appendage (spelling?) It's an odd feeling.
