My Dear Emma,
Another three months have passed and this time the change has been huge. You are exploring the world every minute of the day and suddenly your world has become bigger. It’s no longer just me, you and the boys. Now you spend 2 days with your Nanny, 2 days with nursery and have adapted so well. I couldn’t have imagined a little girl adapting better to different surroundings but you take it all in your stride. To you, it’s exciting and I love how you seem to take the best of every place you go.
Mummy returning to work has been tough in some ways, but in other ways I’ve seen the bond with your Nanny grow each week. Every time I return from work, I peek through the window and see you sitting on Nanny’s knee, reading your favourite book about a Little Monster who loves to gather up fruit and veg. This moment will always melt my heart very slightly; you don’t know it yet but these bonds with family will last a lifetime and it means so much to me that we’ve had the chance to make these moments part of our every day lives.
You’re such a chatterbox and although you only say a few words, it doesn’t deter you from expressing yourself. You’re still our alarm clock and we wake each morning to you chatting to Nelly, Babs and Bing (your cuddlies). Then when you’ve had enough chatting, you call our for Bridie and Daddy to come and get you. It’s still such a novelty hearing you talk and trying to guess the word you are trying to describe. You can say Mummy, Bridie, Daddy, James, pop (for toast), door, bubble, duck, bird, cat, doggie as well as all the animal sounds. I know it’s just the beginning and there’ll be more and more words to come!
Starting nursery has seen you go from strength to strength; we’ve discovered you love painting and colouring in so we do more of that at home when we can. I’ve seen your confidence grow too, from a shy girl who was always so cautious around other kids to being quite outgoing and exploring new things without hesitation now. You seem to be changing non-stop, like life is on fast forward and I can’t press pause. It feels like yesterday you were a 6 lb baby in my arms and I was worrying about every little thing in your life.
But it’s not all sweetness and light, as we’ve just entered a new phase of tantrums and real melodrama. It’s a testing time for Mummy and Daddy, as we try to teach you about the world while letting you grow at the same times. Sometimes it has to be ‘no’ and even though you don’t like it, that’s the way it is. I hate seeing you scream in protest every time we have to change your nappy or get dressed in the morning, but I also know this is part of you growing up. You’re testing those boundaries and exploring how everything around you works…I know this is what you need to do, so I’ll try and remember in those moments to be patient too.
I’ve been writing to you ever since you were 9 months old now, in the hope that one day I will show you these letters. I hope it will make you see how much we love and adore you. I hope you’ll see that we are so utterly proud of the little girl you are becoming. Recently I’ve really got a sense of how you will be as a girl: funny, curious, determined, stubborn, ragey and the brightest star in the room. I’m proud to be your Mum and can’t quite believe the next time I write this, you will be turning two years old. Just amazing how time can whizz by in a flash, so let’s enjoy every second.
Love you always,
Mum xxx
Ah, such a lovely post, Bridie. That picture of Emma is completely gorgeous!
Ahh that picture of Emma, her eyelashes! She sounds like such a cutie too and how lovely that her bond with Granny is growing.
Going back to work is hard, but it is a great time of growth for them too. I’m glad you have such a positive outlook on your little one growing up! #dreamteam
This is so sweet, my 15 months old son is also a chatterbox and he loves expressing himself even though he doesn’t know a lot of words yet. we also had a few cases of toddler tantrums and meltdowns I hear it only gets worse when they are two so good luck to us mummies xx #dreamteam
She’s going to love reading this when she is older, such great memories to record. #DreamTeam
I love the picture of her in the fur hood! My daughter is around the same age (19 months) so I know what you mean about it being an exciting time of discovery and also a testing time full of tantrums and boundary-testing. All I know is that they change so quickly at this age that in a few months we’ll be dealing with new challenges and celebrating new achievements. #DreamTeam
That photograph is BEAUTIFUL! It’s lovely to hear how well she’s settling into the new routines. I love the learning-to-talk stage – sooo cute! #DreamTeam
I love your letters and I’m sure that Emma will too – what a lovely thing to have when she is older. Your picture of her is adorable too.
Sally @ Life Loving
Just popping back for #DreamTeam
Ps I saw on the news that Southern Rail are running a full timetable for the first time in 6 months – hurrah!
Oh Bridie this is such an adorable letter to Emma – and what a truly wonderful idea that you are wiring a collection of letters for her – I wish more than anything that I had done this for my children – though it’s not too late so thank you so so much for the inspiration lovely. Oh and the bond with other members of the family are so important – you are so lucky to have family to help – I would have loved that xx #DreamTeam oh and stunning photo!
Your daughter is so cute, a little version of you, right?;) I think she will enjoy reading this posts from you when she’s older and they will be perfect memories on her childhood! Lovely. #dreamteam
Such a gorgeous post and your daughter is so beautiful! And this is an amazing idea, she’ll love it when she’s older #dreamteam
What a beautiful idea for such a beautiful little girl!
It’s nice to read the positive effect starting nursery has had. My little one starts at the end of February. While I’m anxious I know it will be a good for his development and nice for him to be around children his own age.
Gorgeous picture as always! #DreamTeam
Such a lovely letter. I’m sure she will treasure them when she’s older. That photo is stunning too! My son starts nursery in April and I’m hoping he’ll take to it like this too – he’s a cautious little man so I hope it might bring him out of himself a little. #dreamteam
O so sweet. They grow up so fast! #dreamteam
This is so very lovely and I’m certain that when she’s older, your beautiful daughter will get so much pleasure from reading all your letters. #DreamTeam x
The picture is gorgeous and such a lovely post! #dreamteam
What a gorgeous idea. I hadn’t thought about writing to my children, but I think it’s such a lovely thing to do. #dreamteam
I like reading your letters and it always reminds me to write mine! #DreamTeam
What a great idea! My Doll is 1y7m now and I started writing a journal to her the day before she was born … but I haven’t kept up on it very well. Maybe if I’d chosen something more like your way it would be more manageable?
I can try again with baby #2!
This is so moving and full of love. thank you for sharing this. And the photo – SO beautiful! #dreamteam Xx
That picture is amazing!
#dreamteam
Aww, what a lovely post. I too wish there was a pause button. I watch my little boy and wish he could stay as he is but then I enjoy seeing him grow too! I’m sure your little girl will cherish your letters when she is older.
#DreamTeam
Such a beautiful letter. I write to the children on their birthdays or special occasions, I think they will be grateful when they are older to look back and read them. That photo of Emma at the top is utterly beautiful!!! #dreamteam
Ohh I love updates. It’s amazing how quickly they change isn’t it! I love that the bond with her nanny is growing. How sweet.
#DreamTeam
I love these letters. They will be so wonderful for you and her to look back on, because we so easily forget the little things. The photograph is stunning too. #postsfromtheheart #dreamteam
Beautiful! I absolutely love the idea of writing letters to share with your daughter when she’s older. I wrote one when my little one turned one last June and hope to continue the tradition each year for her birthday. It’s amazing how fast they grow and learn. I don’t want to forget a thing! #DreamTeam
This is such a sweet post, I kind of teared up a bit because I know exactly what you’re saying! I’m still flabbergasted when Bear walks even though he is fully walking now! I can’t wait until I get to guess what he’s trying to say, seems like only a few months from now : ), he’s babbling away lol. #dreamteam
My daughter is 22 months and we share the terrible tantrums and melodrama! It’s fantastic to hear Emma is enjoying nursery, my daughter has flourished since going and comes home learning new things all the time 🙂 #DreamTeam
Helen x
http://www.treasureeverymoment.co.uk/
I’m returning to work in next two weeks I ope my boy will be as good as your daughter with adapting to new situation
#DreamTeam
Aww such a sweet post! She’s going to love reading these back when she’s older! I love nursery too and it really does help children develop 🙂 #DreamTeam
Aww this is just beautiful and has brightened my evening! A lovely post from the heart, and something so lovely for Emma to have when she’s older. #DreamTeam
Lovely post! Happy 21 months! #DreamTeam
Oh I just love this! It’s so amazing when they grow and start to learn new words and have their own funny little way of doing things. I am not looking forward to the tantrum stage – at 18 months Alfie can already throw a pretty awesome tantrum and I think they are only going to get worse! #DreamTeam
What a lovely letter I hope she enjoyed reading these when she us old enough #dreamteam
This is a beautiful letter and I’m certain she’ll love reading it when she’s older. It’s such a time of change when they start being cared for by others. It helps them grow so much but it also feels strange letting your baby go! I remember my daughter going through these stages and it really comes thick and fast from this point. Can’t wait to hear how she’s developed in 3 months time! #DreamTeam
What a lovely way to remember her childhood. #DreamTeam
How lovely that you have been writing to her for so long. It’s wonderful that she has adapted to the changes to well. I know it’s hard going back to to work. For everyone. #Dreamteam
What a lovely post and such lovely photos too. I bet Nanny loves time with her little grand daughter too.
#DreamTeam
Nice Post
must be tough going back to work. you need to remember to show this post to her when shes started work herself and can understand it better. or at least understands that toys aren’t free 🙂
Heartfelt and lovely post Hun. Time does fly! So Glad Emma has settled into nursery well! #DreamTeam
This is lovely Bridie. I too felt so guilty when Matilda first went to day care but like you said, she is blossoming and changing and it’s great to see her interacting more with other children. My partner writes our daughter an email every birthday and sends it to an email address he has created for her. He plans to give her the email password on her 18th birthday. Thanks for sharing.x #DreamTeam
Such a lovely idea to write to them. In this digital age things like this will keep forever.
#dreamteam
A beautifully written post. Emma is so gorgeous and so happy to hear that she is thriving at nursery and having fun with nanny whilst you’re working. 🙂 #DreamTeam
Beautiful post. Glad to hear she is getting on so well at nursery. They change so much at this age don’t they, it’s amazing.
#DreamTeam
Very sweet post. Love the picture. Precious!
#dreamteam
Gorgeous post Bridget. Baby Lighty is nearly 20 months so not far behind Emma and I can definitely see the comparisons between the two! I love hearing him master new words! Tonight it became clear how much he’s taken in from a Where’s Spot? book when he opened it and said, “Where the Doggy?”. That melted my heart! Gorgeous photo of her in the furry hood too! #DreamTeam
Ah I wish blogging was something I knew about when my kids were small. I’ve written a couple of things on the blog for my eldest though. There again, you don’t need to run a blog to wrote to your kids! I should have thought of it. This is lovely and the photo is phenomenal! #dreamteam
It is such a good idea writing letters to your little ones. It is amazing watching relationships bloom with relatives and your child. Ben absolutely adores his nan and it makes leaving him with her whilst I work so easy.
I’d love to know her reaction once you show her the letters. I’m sure it will be such a wonderful moment between you both! #dreamteam
This is such a beautiful way to capture Emma’s journey as she grows up and I’m sure that you will look back on these letters together with such fondness as she grows up. Great to hear that she has settled well into nursery and is having a good time with Nanny. Thanks for having me along as co-host at #DreamTeam xx
That photo is so beautiful. And the letter too. Gorgeous idea. xx #dreamteam
Will be a lovely thing to look back on one day! Great idea! #dreamteam
#postsfromtheheart What a lovely idea. My husband has been sending e-mails to my son from the day he was born. I am not supposed to know but saw one on his laptop a few months ago. So sweet #postsfromtheheart
what a beautiful picture and such a sweet post! #DreamTeam
She’s so lovely! I’m with you: don’t worry too much about the tantrums. It’s such a natural part of their development to test their boundaries as you said, so she is doing exactly what she is supposed to do! Enjoy this time. It’s so special, isn’t it? #DreamTeam
Oh it’s such a lovely idea to do these posts so you can look back. I did a 2nd birthday one for miss Belle and will definitely do them on her birthday’s from now on. xx #DreamTeam
What a beautifully written letter. Your daughter will love reading these when she is older #dreamteam
Awwww that’s so beautifully captured. I love it when they start really chattering, all of a sudden the words just start falling out of them and you wonder where all their vocabulary came from. #DreamTeam xx
✨Soooooo sweet!!!!!✨