6 years.
Oh how I love 6 years! 6 years is helpful, and tries so hard. 6 years is incredibly beautiful, and developing a nice little attitude that needs adjusting every now and then. 6 years is starting grade 1, and I am praying madly that grade 1 is exceptionally great for her, with so much learning being stuffed into her brain, as well as friendships growing and developing, and Oh Lord just let other people get to know how wonderful she is too! 6 years is her younger brothers best friend and worst enemy. She can be the kindest person in the world to him, who is always on his team, and she can also be the bossiest pain in the butt who teases him and delights in his shortcomings. 6 years very much enjoys being the 'good' one. Working on that. 6 years adores her baby brother, is such a little mother, and is so good at entertaining him, but she can still be a bit rough and she does not cope with crying babies. 6 years can be quite rude, and needs to learn self-regulation, but she loves her Father and I so much, and she is loved. 6 years is a spunky short haircut, and all of the pretty dresses and shoes, and accessories, and a beautiful, strong, independent, darling.
5 years.
5 years is currently asleep next to me. He still has trouble with big night time fears and creeps into bed beside me at night, but is (almost) fearless during the day. 5 years worries me at times because he is so strong and physical, and passionate and intense. It can be hard to channel such strength and energy and passion well. At times 5 years is also be so loving and affectionate, and thoughtful. 5 years is incredibly persistent and can push ALL of the buttons. But 5 years also works so hard, and does his best a lot. 5 years can also be far too rough with his sister, and I wish I could help him understand his own strength. I do find that 5 years makes me so frustrated, especially when I feel disrespected, and the pendulum often swings wildly between the deepest love and the most intense anger. 5 years is the most adoring big brother, and although he does get all up in the poor baby's face, he just loves him, and at times his life almost revolves around 'his' baby. Surprisingly, 5 years is handling school like a pro, and I have been so very proud of him. My everything is crossed that school is going to be marvellous for 5 years, and that he will learn and grow so much there. 5 years is incredibly funny, and makes so many people around him laugh with his funny ways and sayings. 5 years is smelly, and dirty, and smart, and brave and makes me feel all of the feelings.
3 months.
3 months is a darling. 3 months seems to have slotted in so nicely, and he just belongs here. 3 months is a content little sausage, who is happiest when he is held. 3 months wakes up smiling, and has very cheerful mornings, but does tend to get crankier in the afternoons. 3 months does not like being put down in the afternoons when mummy has to cook dinner, and organise baths and teeth and stories. But, 3 months sleeps at night. Oh he sleeps so well! The best sleeper of all my babies, and I am just so grateful for that. I know it could change in a heartbeat. But for now having a good sleeper makes all the difference in the world to how a mother copes. 3 months has the biggest widest grin you've ever seen, and he seems (for the most part) to be contentedly, quietly just taking it all in. He loves his siblings, and thinks his Daddy is hilarious, and he is Mummy's cuddly koala. It is going to be so very interesting to see who 3 months turns out to be. But in the meantime 3 months is a happy little ray of sunshine, with the occasional thundercloud thrown in for good measure.
