Oh this little girl, she really knows how to steal my heart. This has really been her summer! And my summer too… our summer 😉 We’ve gone north, west, and now we’re heading back east and south. She has loved it out here. It was quiet on the first half, and even difficult at times. As much as she wanted to play and get along with the little boys, it rarely happened. It was hard for her to not understand, and it was harder for me to understand. There’s not much you can do in those moments when your kid wants to play and can’t. You just suck it up, feel their pain, and let it be. She picked up bad habits, and dropped them just as quickly. She picked up new words and more confidence in speaking. And like most children do: she adjusted, molded, and adapted. She was outside sometimes, inside often, but always by my side, and always okay. Her love for turtles grew, and I’m sad to say, we never got out again to see those giant loves of hers. I’m on a mission to do so back home, because luckily, we can do that there 😉 She made friends and explored with a handful of little girls. From the zoo, to the beach, to forests of lush trees and rain, and to quite possibly her favorite: her very first bounce house. And she loved each one. She picked up singing, “cheese”ing, and not just words, but new phrases too. She knows what she wants and when she wants it. She’s still an independent one. She asks to sleep with me, and ten minutes later is asking for her own bed and space. She wants to run free, very free… but sometimes, if I’m lucky, she still asks for my hand, especially when she wants to jump.
I’m sure this trip and these experiences won’t be much, but a faded not-so-there memory for her, but I hope that one day she’ll be able to look back at these photos and know: I’ve been on a mission to show her everything. I don’t want her to live in a worry bubble. I want her to see, take in, learn, and know as much as she possibly can. I want her to take chances, make big jumps, fall, and try again. I want her imagination to never die and her optimism to never fade. She’s growing tremendous amounts each day and I am very well aware that every little thing will affect her, in good and difficult ways. But I’m not worried, because she’s a strong girl, with a big heart, and she’s got the adventure spirit in her.
We should be landing in San Jose, California any minute now. I’m looking forward to another delicious and fun weekend with this little girl, before heading home to south florida. Have a wonderful adventure-filled weekend, everyone!
pps. if you’d like to purchase an ad spot for next month, email me. XL is booked, but all others are a go! 😉
14 Comments
It's clear Marlowe lives in a happy bubble that rolls west, south, east and north. It's great to see her enjoying it. xx
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Hey babe!! I used to blog at goldfinch and anchor almost an entire year ago.. I haven't forgotten you! The day before Annabelle was born my entire blog crashed and I couldn't get it back up and running.. 15 months later I'm back, starting over 🙂 I hope you're well!!
Gorgeous photos…and what a little beauty. So sweet!
Beautifully written Drea. And that last photo is absolutely stunning. Glad you both had such a lovely summer. Have a safe trip home.
gimme that child! She looks so grown!
Adoration asks for her occasionally and will even mention Marlowe in her prayers at night when we are thanking God for things and people. Totally on her own, she will say, "and tank you fo Mawrowe." "and Dree-a." I die. And honestly a little surprised she remembers ya'll so well. lock box memory on that one.
So sea turtle play date when ya'll get back??? So our kindred spirit children can walk around holding hands and smothering each other with hugs?
And I would love to hear about all your many summer adventures. 😉
I'm with Marlowe, sea turtles are awesome. Hawaiians call them honus and think of them as a navigator that is able to find its way home time and again. Kind of like the two of you after your many adventures. Safe travels!
I LOVE that last photo of M!! 🙂 I love following your adventures !
you are such a good mama Drea! Although her two year old mind may not actually remember all of the amazing things you have done on this trip, after years of story telling and looking back on these photos, she will most likely swear that she does in fact remember this amazing time when she travelled all the way to the other side of the world with her mom. This will be something you both can hold onto forever, and that's so awesome.
Have you guys ever been to Gumbo Limbo in Boca? It's free and last time I was there they had lots of turtles…I remember a really big one being there too 🙂
aw dre, i'm so proud of what a good mommy you are! marlowe will no doubt look back at those photos one day and know how lucky she is to have a mom who traveled the world with her and showed her everything she could. she's seeing and experiencing things that i myself at 25 only wish i could. hope the rest of your trip is a safe, fun one and come back to new york soon! <3
Gorgeous pictures! Looks like lovely times.
I love your look at life and the way you want to raise your little one. i always fall into the worry trap and end up limiting what my little Peanut can do because I spend too much time analyzing how she will get hurt.
little girls always know how to steal someones heart! 🙂
"I'm sure this trip and these experiences won't be much, but a faded not-so-there memory for her, but I hope that one day she'll be able to look back at these photos and know: I've been on a mission to show her everything. I don't want her to live in a worry bubble. I want her to see, take in, learn, and know as much as she possibly can. I want her to take chances, make big jumps, fall, and try again. I want her imagination to never die and her optimism to never fade. She's growing tremendous amounts each day and I am very well aware that every little thing will affect her, in good and difficult ways. But I'm not worried, because she's a strong girl, with a big heart, and she's got the adventure spirit in her."
I think that is, by far, the best thing you've ever written. Thanks for the inspirational words, so early in the day!