The 52 Project: A portrait of my children once a week + every week in 2014.
See the whole project here.
Lena: Three years old is a challenging age for me as a parent. (Am I alone in feeling that way??) Lena is a super-interactive child, and she’s never been very good at entertaining herself for more than a few minutes at a time. These past couple of weeks I tried to encourage that more by setting her up with some craft projects (requiring first my initiative and creativity… two things that don’t come easily to me!), painting, puzzles, and a bucket of soapy water in the shower stall more times than I can remember. But then she turns around and surprises me with independence in other ways, like insisting on dressing herself and putting on her shoes (she’s getting really good!), brushing her teeth, and putting together this puzzle a couple of times a day all by herself. I know she’s finished it again when I hear her gleeful giggle and turn around to see her sparkling eyes and mile-wide smile, waiting like only a three-year-old can for her mama’s praise.
Gil: He’s always been more content to amuse himself than Lena is, although at 16 months he takes my full attention on playgrounds and walks to keep him from breaking his neck! This week he started saying “cracker,” and “diaper,” “Siena,” “Lena,” and even “poo-poo” (oh joy) have become regular parts of his vocabulary. Over Memorial Day weekend we went to the Aeolian Islands, and we snapped this photo of him enjoying a very local meal: Caprese salad, fried sardines, an apricot, and bread dipped in olive oil. He stuffed his face and wanted more and more. But then who wouldn’t with a makeshift high chair made out of pillows and that view of the beach behind you?!
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In other news, our Memorial Day “beach vacation” unfortunately involved a lot of rain, but the sun finally came out at the end. Elliott and I did a lot of book writing and book reading (respectively), and the kids napped and played in between excursions to the rocky beach. What were you up to for Memorial Day?
Oh how well I remember a child that didn’t entertain himself easily! Our second one was much better at that…maybe it’s a birth order thing? Parenting is not the same for each child, that’s for sure! Your Memorial Day sounds like fun…ours was a crazy day on the farm. Post to follow sometime when I get around to it! :)
I think it must be partly birth order, Alica, because personality can’t explain all of it. I’m ready for them to be better at entertaining themselves!
Looking forward to your post… although hope it wasn’t too bad!
Lucie also never ceases to amaze with her ever-expanding vocabulary at this age! She charmed my family this weekend by calling them by name: Mae-Mae, Pops, Hannah, Ti-ti (for Tia Erin). Another favorite is “buckle” for whenever she has to sit in a seat. And then she melts my heart when she coos “au revoir” and waves bye-bye!
So far she is good at entertaining herself, I think it’s because she has to sit in her crib and play by herself every morning after I leave for work and while Daddy gets ready. It’s the age-old nature v. nurture debate: is she just really chill or has she been conditioned (or is it a little bit of both??)
As always, I love these beautiful photos! And their gorgeous hair!!
It’s probably a bit of both, but I also think you make her feel secure and you set your expectations, and that is how she’s learned to play so quietly and so well each morning! I think she and Gil have more similar personalities innately, though, than do she and Lena. Here’s hoping your Baby #2 is just as chill and sweet… although I can’t imagine getting much sweeter than Lucie! Abi + Jorge definitey = Lucie. :)
I love seeing Lena put on her own shoes, and Gil climbing a ladder. They seem to grow up before your eyes, don’t they? Can’t wait till they are growing up a little closer to my eyes!
Hoping you’ll be very close quite frequently. ;)
They are both so cute!
Thanks, Carrie! Your comments always make me smile.
Phew, three has been challenging for us, too. We have been blessed with a very easy going, cheerful, WONDERFUL girl…for whom three has included some very strong feelings and viewpoints. :) What a ride, huh?
I guess it’s called parenting! So far I think I enjoyed “the terrible twos” (because they were not at all terrible, haha), whereas the jury is still out on age three. I do love to watch her grow up and mature, though, and to become friends more and more with our shared interests and loves. She’s a gift!