On Friday afternoon, I held Phoebe's hand and walked her up our garden where some immature apples had fallen too early from a tree. She picked one up and inspected it.
"Apple," I said slowly "App-le!"
"App-le" she said. "App-le..."
A magical moment.
Phoebe is eighteen months old now and she keeps bringing extra joy into our lives. She was on holiday in France recently and we missed her a lot. Conveniently, the holiday coincided with Simon's death and the days that surrounded it. For two weeks we were free from our regular child minding duties.
I copied the following four pictures from my daughter's Instagram page...
 |
| In the second picture, she is stroking the concrete figure of a cat that sits on a paving stone atop the grave of our cat Blizzard. In the last picture, she is rocking like crazy on her little blue horse even though it appears to be still. Such joy. The apple of our eye. |
She is a sweetheart, and that is such a lovely age :)
ReplyDeleteNice to share her with you Jenny.
DeleteThe apple of your eye, indeed! What a beautiful, rosy-cheeked, happy looking little girl she is. And how wonderful that she's beginning to talk! :)
ReplyDeleteShe knows nothing of Ukraine or climate change or shootings in America or Brexit. In that sense I wish I was more like her.
DeleteOh it is such fun when they begin talking!
ReplyDeleteIt's gathering apace now and she seems quite excited about joining us in the world of language.
DeleteThat first proper word you hear is a wonderous experience. Then so quickly sentences come. It is a great age to watch and observe.
ReplyDeleteDo you know, I have completely forgotten about my own children's acquisition of language.
DeletePhoebe is on a bucking bronc at a rodeo. Grampa, she needs a cowboy hat!
ReplyDeleteYahoo! Ride em cowgirl!
DeleteShe is definitely the apple of everyone's eyes, a real peach. As I've said before, she conveys such delight with the world in her expressions. Lovely little girl.
ReplyDeleteFor her the world is mostly beautiful - except when she falls over or her book pages are hard to turn.
DeleteTalking now! You're in for a few months of fun while you try to decipher some of her sentences. She is beautiful.
ReplyDeleteI might show her a picture of a river. "Ri-ver!" Ri-ver!"
DeleteShe so sweet and I can't believe how much she's grown!
ReplyDeleteThey are not babies for long are they?
DeleteThey grow so fast. She'll soon be backpacking round Thailand!
ReplyDeleteSadly, I won't be there to witness that but I will leave her some travel money in my will.
DeleteWhat pure undiluted joy in that last picture! Little Phoebe is indeed the apple of your eye, and by sharing her pictures here with us, we can share a bit in the joy she brings you, too.
ReplyDeleteWith what is going on in the world, we all need a shot of joy now and then.
DeleteInnocence and delight. It warms the heart.
ReplyDeleteIt really does. Thank you JayCee.
DeletePhoebe is gorgeous, and you both must be such proud grandparents.
ReplyDeleteIt is a privilege to be so regularly involved in her care and development.
DeleteThat face screams joy!
ReplyDeleteShe is light wrapped up in baby human form.
ReplyDeleteTwinkle twinkle little star...
DeleteA ray of sunshine and joy .
ReplyDeleteSorry Dave - that is not how I would describe you.
DeleteLovely! Such pleasure for you to share in the exploration of her world!
ReplyDeleteEnhancing our days. Yesterday she pursed her lips and kissed me goodbye for the very first time.
DeleteWhat a delightful little girl she's growing into. I just want to live long enough to be remembered by my grandchildren. It may be selfish but it's what I'd like. I'm sure you do too.
ReplyDeleteI find myself returning more and more to my maternal grandparents home. I walk the whole house, taking in the scents, the sounds and the ambience. All within the constraints of my mind but real enough.
I feel sad that I won't see her as an adult but I just might see her through her primary school days - if I am lucky.
DeleteBeautiful Phoebe. Such a privilege to watch her grow and blossom.
ReplyDeleteMy 2 days each week with Charlotte leave me tired but fascinated by her potential . Babies have so much energy and determination as they explore their world and strive to master new skills. Time and practice... why do we forget that?
I simply cannot remember that phase from my own children's lives. Why have I forgotten so much?
Delete