A defining moment

Sometimes a photograph defines a poignant moment. This is one of those, as was the wonderful image posted yesterday.

POD’s not slept well these past few weeks and is often still awake at 10pm. Monday became a day where it was necessary to get out of the house after she refused a nap. We headed to a local farm and she was typically asleep within five minutes. She didn’t even wake in the car to buggy transfer she was so shattered!

Once awake we looked at some rabbits and guinea pigs before heading over to feed the larger animals. Unknown to me it was just before their feeding time. Although POD is normally a brave little soul, hearing pigs, sheep, alpacas, goats and cows all cry for food at the same time was too much.

We cut our losses and headed to a play area where she quickly forgot her fears. After a brief spell on a swing, she was on a trampoline practicing her jumping skills. There was no stopping her after that, she climbed everything that could be climbed and said “hello” to anyone that would listen.

But then something happened. She climbed a walkway to a slide much longer than one she’d normally attempt. At the bottom she said “again” and off she went. The third time she headed up the walkway, instead of taking a left to the slide, she turned right. There larger children could access enclosed slides, or shutes, in varying sizes. Hesitating she opted to go through a tunnel instead and ran off straight afterwards. I found her at the top of one of the shutes requesting we go down it together.

Instead it was suggested POD go down it and I catch her at the bottom. I had no idea how fast she’d come down but it seemed like the safest option. This photograph was taken from part of the way up the shute. Although POD was apprehensive at first, she came down it on her own. Twice.

It was definitely a poignant moment. POD’s grown so much over the Summer. She looks different, she’s fiercely independent and she knows exactly what she wants. She’s trying to see how far she can push us. But she’s just growing up whether we like it or not. On Christmas Day she’ll say goodbye toddler and hello to three year old girl.

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  • Erica Price September 30, 2013 at 7:10 am

    Independence has it’s ups and downs doesn’t it? Sounds like she’s now an accomplished independent slider.

    • Charly Dove September 30, 2013 at 9:40 am

      It does indeed Erica. She’s doing brilliantly and she’s fabulous, just growing up so fast 🙂

  • Iona@redpeffer September 30, 2013 at 7:46 am

    Watching your children suddenly struggle with situations is hard and can be confusing for us too, but the flip side is the joy of watching them do something amazing and seeing their joy and pride in themselves. That’s priceless. A beautiful photo again, just lovely,

    • Charly Dove September 30, 2013 at 4:31 pm

      Wonderful words Iona, thank you so much. You’ve phrased it far better than I could 🙂

  • suzanne3childrenandit September 30, 2013 at 8:56 am

    Such a gorgeous photo! I spotted your SS from yesterday too – beautiful. I still think of 3 as a toddler – don’t you? She sounds like a wonderful credit it to you 🙂

    • Charly Dove September 30, 2013 at 4:33 pm

      Thank you Suzanne, I love both the photos. I did think of 3 as a toddler but was told otherwise, POD will still be my baby! She’s fabulous *most of the time* x

  • Alison September 30, 2013 at 9:04 am

    Gorgeous photo. It is great when they get confidence to do things themselves, although you do feel a bit redundant.

    • Charly Dove September 30, 2013 at 7:22 pm

      Thank you lovely. That theory is very true, you can see it happening already!

  • Jocelyn (@IHaveCards) September 30, 2013 at 9:05 am

    Fabulous photo, as was the one yesterday. Wonderful story behind it, too. They do grow up too quickly, but it is amazing to see their personalities shine through.

    • Charly Dove September 30, 2013 at 7:23 pm

      Thank you Jocelyn, it’s amazing how quickly she’s growing up 🙂

  • Louise September 30, 2013 at 9:12 am

    They grow up soooooo quickly don’t they x

    • Charly Dove September 30, 2013 at 7:23 pm

      They do, far too quickly 🙂

  • adayinthisdadslife September 30, 2013 at 9:12 am

    ahhh what a brave soul she is a massive well done for finding the courage within to go down all those slides and shoots.

    • Charly Dove September 30, 2013 at 7:24 pm

      She so is, she did really well – definitely a defining moment 🙂

  • Cathie B September 30, 2013 at 9:36 am

    Wow – she’s really growing up. Fab photo. Tell POD I hate all the noises at feeding time too – sometimes from my own home!!!! 😉 #Whatsthestory

    • Charly Dove September 30, 2013 at 9:16 pm

      She is isn’t she, seems to have suddenly got much taller! Know what you mean about those feeding noises LOL 🙂

  • S J Thurley September 30, 2013 at 11:32 am

    What a beautiful photo and a lovely story to go with it xxxx

    • Charly Dove September 30, 2013 at 9:16 pm

      Thank you Sam, much appreciated 🙂

  • Notmyyearoff September 30, 2013 at 11:55 am

    I was just thinking she looks like she’s shot up over the last month – thats slightly strange sounding isn’t it? Considering I’ve not actually met her. She sounds so much like Z. When we took him to the farm he loved it so much and was so excited to see the calves but then got very overwhelmed with the all the noise when it came to feeding time. Its so lovely that she braved the shute! 🙂

    • Charly Dove September 30, 2013 at 9:21 pm

      I’m sure she’s grown about a foot, even her body shape is different. Incredible it really is. Really pleased she braved the shute although it’s another sign of her being little miss independent! I think POD and Z are quite similar, sounds like it – just read you post LOL 🙂

  • Jenny @ The Brick Castle September 30, 2013 at 12:09 pm

    There are lots of moments in your child’s life when you have to take a moment and pause, and drink it in lest you forget…. 🙂

    • Charly Dove September 30, 2013 at 9:22 pm

      Very true Jenny, I guess that’s the good thing about taking lots of photos and having a blog 🙂

  • Afra September 30, 2013 at 12:42 pm

    fantastic photo. Isn’t it funny – I’m always proud of new accomplishments but a bit sad when I sense my “babies” growing up. Well done POD!

    • Charly Dove September 30, 2013 at 9:23 pm

      Thank you Afra, it’s so true although you’re far more experienced than I am!

  • Dean September 30, 2013 at 1:18 pm

    I feel you… They grow up so fast, don’t they? It’s a bittersweet time for the parents. One part of you is mourning the loss of it and other part is celebrating the next chapter of their lives. Often though, I find myself saying “It’s happening too fast!”

    • Charly Dove September 30, 2013 at 9:23 pm

      It’s so true Dean. Growing up too fast but then you’re delighted for them too. A difficult combo!

  • Capture by Lucy September 30, 2013 at 2:12 pm

    A Christmas Day big girl coming up! Love the sense of anticipation in this photo xx

    • Charly Dove September 30, 2013 at 9:29 pm

      Loaded with anticipation! Can’t believe she’ll be three on Christmas Day. Madness 🙂

  • liveotherwise September 30, 2013 at 4:04 pm

    That really is a gorgeous shot. And how wonderful to capture such a pivotal moment in words and pictures.

    • Charly Dove September 30, 2013 at 9:33 pm

      Thank you very much Jax, much appreciated 🙂

  • older mum in a muddle September 30, 2013 at 7:11 pm

    Gosh she has grown so much in her face. That slide/chute looks lethally fast – I bet she loved going down it…. are you going through that funny phase where it’s time to drop her last nap??? Tell tale sign, well it was for Little A, is when they nap in the pm and then can’t sleep until gone 10 pm – maybe it’s time to drop that nap perhaps!? But you know best :o). X.

    • Charly Dove September 30, 2013 at 9:37 pm

      She really has, just in the last 3 months or so – her face in particular has completely changed. I was so worried about that slide being super fast hence waiting at the bottom, lucky it slowed down before she wiped me out! Sleeping is not going well at the moment, awake at 10pm still a lot at the moment! She needs a nap still but only a small one, nursery cut it right down 🙂

  • Emma @ Helvetia Handmade September 30, 2013 at 8:15 pm

    The chute looks really fast! Beautiful picture.

    • Charly Dove September 30, 2013 at 9:39 pm

      It was Emma but thankfully slowed down before she wiped me (and my camera!) out!

  • Jane September 30, 2013 at 8:52 pm

    I think your brave, I would be having a mini heart attack at this moment lol

    • Charly Dove September 30, 2013 at 9:40 pm

      I was a little worried shall we say! All worked out alright though, no wipeouts on the first go so she went again!

  • Sam Parke September 30, 2013 at 8:54 pm

    Aw! Everyone’s right its a gorgeous photo. I’m a little bit ashamed of the poor quality of my rubbish phone pic now! Lol!

    I think its really important to encourage the kids to be brave and try things and not cotton wool them up. My 14 month old is already climbing up our mid-size Little Tykes slide and coming down on his own – he’s so independent! (With me close by of course!) Mind you he’s a second child so I guess I am much less anxious as a mummy than I was first time round and happy to let him get on with it! X

    • Charly Dove September 30, 2013 at 9:41 pm

      You really shouldn’t – I just happened to have my SLR with me as we were supposed to be feeding the animals. She’s not done that before. It’s great your 14 month old is climbing already, POD was a climber too – still is! You’re probably more chilled too 🙂

  • OneDad3Girls September 30, 2013 at 9:05 pm

    That truly is a beautiful photo, I love the framing of the copper tunnel

    • Charly Dove September 30, 2013 at 9:42 pm

      Thank you very much. The weird thing is although this tunnel totally looks copper – it was in fact yellow. How weird! A great moment though 🙂

  • Only Best For Baby October 1, 2013 at 1:55 pm

    Beautiful post. I know exactly what you’re going through 🙂 Strong independence is both wonderful and unsettling for us Mums (wonderful because our little ones are growing up to be confident and courageous, unsettling because our ‘little’ ones are growing up so fast). Lydia x

    • Charly Dove October 5, 2013 at 9:18 am

      Thank you Lydia. It’s a strange period isn’t it – you so want them to do well but just not grow up too quickly 🙂

  • Funky Wellies October 2, 2013 at 10:56 am

    Well done POD! It was a brave thing to do, and to do it twice as well. The photo totally shows the mix between hesitation and determination, I think. xx

    • Charly Dove October 5, 2013 at 9:19 am

      You’re totally right Katia with the hesitation and determination – the first time anyway. Then she was off 🙂

  • Sara (@mumturnedmom) October 3, 2013 at 5:36 pm

    What a brave little girl! Part of you wants that fearlessness, but the another part wants them to stay close. It’s hard, but so wonderful to see them grow and gain confidence x

    • Charly Dove October 5, 2013 at 9:20 am

      She was so brave Sara then excited once her confidence grew 🙂