Thanks, Nilly. Emmett is definitely pre-teen, and growing quite a lot in the last year. He hasn't really done the gangly thing I did. He's quite solid and strong through the chest and arms.
Though there are times when it's tough to juggle cooking when Matilda is clinging to me, I have to admit that she is extremely affectionate and cuddlesome child. I know she feels very safe and loved when she's nestled up against me and I often wonder how or if she will be able to draw on that in her later life.
I've always felt with her (and with Emmett) that all the love you can give into them when they are little becomes a kind of foundation for them. A knowing-without-thinking-about-it feeling of worth.
Though sometimes it's exhausting when she's being a little cling-monkey, I don't take it for granted. I'm very aware that I'm lucky to receive her love.
On the topic of baby-love, more pictures of Gracie from today. [link]
Speaking of clingy monkeys... [link]
Such a pretty grinny Grace!
This is ridiculous. Can humans be that pretty?
That picture, David, was taken at ass o' clock at night, when the tiny human woke up and held the house hostage until she got cereal. The cute factor is what keeps her alive. (Well, that and the part where we love her to pieces, but DAMN, did she HAVE to inherit my sleeplessness?)
Good lord. I mean, Squeak has looked anime-come-to-life before, but seriously?!?
He's quite solid and strong through the chest and arms
That's baseball-related, right?
I love his pictures with Matilda - they both look like this is exactly the right place for them - with each other.
I have to admit that she is extremely affectionate and cuddlesome child
A good friend's son in the exact opposite - he only cuddles when he doesn't feel well (physically) - whenever he gets cuddly, she runs to measure his temperature or tries to make arrangements for the following day, because she just knows he's going to come up with something. So she cherishes the rare times he's snuggling in her lap. Of course, it's easier to do all the chores and the like with him this way, just like you said, what with everything-has-ups-and-downs and all that, but still.
all the love you can give into them when they are little becomes a kind of foundation for them. A knowing-without-thinking-about-it feeling of worth.
That's lovely. Especially when because it's the kind of love that *they* need, which they are seeking.
I don't take it for granted. I'm very aware that I'm lucky to receive her love.
That's lovely, as well. From the opposite side of the former lovely, but still very similar.
[Edit: oh, my goodness, I type way too slowly! Or, rather, I should type as slow as possible, for postings of more pictures?]
Not-middle-of-the-night-in-my-timezone-anyway-cereal:
I wish I could post at length about Gracie and Lillian, maybe later, as I have to run away from the computer now. That is, if my eyes can un-glue themselves from the computer screen and stop looking at all the adorableness.
