Last Monday, our first official day of summer vacation, Big wasn’t feeling well—not to mention it was raining—so we were stuck at home. Come Pink’s nap time, I was trying to figure out how to entertain the boys quietly (without turning on the TV). My laptop was open (surprise, surprise) to iPhoto, so I asked the boys if they wanted to see some pictures from when they were babies.
It started with a tentative, “Ok.” But it didn’t take long to see that I’d happened upon something special.
You know what kids love? Themselves. And being told how cute and hilarious they were/are? Yeah, that too. Of course the pictures documented some stories they’d been reminded of time and time again, but others sparked forgotten memories, friendships and anecdotes. By taking all the pressure off the present and celebrating the past, the boys relaxed. They laughed. They asked questions. They even seemed to gain a new understanding of Pink.
And as their mom, I loved being reminded too. I recalled each baby stage—its triumphs and challenges. We compared where they’d been to where Pink’s been, and how far they’ve come that she has yet to discover.
Of course it was easy to see that they’ve grown up and changed so much, but in looking at those baby pictures, I saw them. Not who they used to be, but who they are today. The same smiles, the same laughing eyes, the same intensity, the same silliness, the same mannerisms. And I realized that it doesn’t matter how much they change, I will always look at them and see a bit of the babies I adored.
It also made me realize that while Pink has so far to go, there’s a part of her that’s already who she is—and always will be. Yes, years from now when we look back on pictures of her today, we’ll see the very same girl who brings us so much joy.
This post is sponsored by Disney Baby in anticipation of the work I’ll be doing as part of the Disney Baby blogging team—which kicks off at the beginning of July. I look forward to sharing these kinds of stories (projects/ideas/etc) with you over there too!
Your perspective is so, so true. And My girls love looking at their whole life on the computer screen even more than I do. Happy summer!
So cute! I’m sending you a note so we can finally make plans. Yippee!
spot on, lady – I love that they understand pink more after being “reminded” that they were just like her at that age :)!
We looked at old pictures once and Finn spent the next couple of weeks telling people stories about what he did when he was a baby ;)! Some of it may or may not have actually happened, though… oh well 😉
Sometimes their version of the story is that much better. Love it!