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Stay "small" little one...


Seven years ago, three of my girlfriends and I went to Chicago on a shopping weekend. At that time, all of us had very young kids...all of them "boys"! I remember when we walked into the American Girl store in downtown Chicago. We were "amazed" with all the dolls, clothes, restaurant and accessories. None of has had a girl but we were in there for over an hour!

You can imagine my delight at my 20 week ultrasound when I found out I was having my first "girl". I was thrilled and "American Girl" kept flashing before me! Now she is 6 yrs. old and loves her dolls...all kinds of dolls...ones that swim, eat, long hair or short. Honestly, I encourage her to love them and enjoy the delights of childhood and imagination.

Every night, she gets ready for bed and then puts her dolls pajamas on...Kit is her name! Brushes her teeth than the dolls...I am sure she has tried to use real toothpaste in the past. I know Kit has had "Tangle Spray" put in her hair. Right before bed, I always lay my kid's uniforms out for the next day. Last night, when I came in to turn off her light and her "Junie B. book on CD"...What I saw touched me. She had laid out her doll's clothes even her pony tail holder (just like mom) for the next day on her wicker doll furniture. I know her love for dolls will fade but for now I wish.... stay "small" little one!

49 comments:

hsmomma said...

I think there is nothing sweeter than a photo of a sleeping child. I snap them every chance I get!

Becky said...

That is so precious. Thank you for reminding me to feed my kids' imagination and wish them to stay small. :-)

Jan said...

That is the cutest. I love the innocence of little children. Yes, do stay little.

Mimi Sue said...

You simply must enjoy every single minute with your little ones. My baby is 22 now. It goes by so fast you won't believe it. Mimi

April said...

That is the sweetest story!! My youngest daughter will soon have a birthday...12 years old!! My heart aches at the thought of her becoming a teenager in one short year. I would love her to stay just as she is now. Oh, why do our kids have to grow up?

Half Gaelic, Half Garlic! said...

This is so sweet! Sarah is just starting to play with dolls....she pretends to change their diapers and tries to put baby lotion on them....I caught her in the act yesterday, just before an entire bottle of lotion ended up all of my carpet....YIKES!!

Sarah will be getting her first American girl doll for Christmas!

Looks like your daughter is learning from the best....she will make a great Mommy!

Have a nice weekend!

Lisa

Beth@Pages of Our Life said...

What a precious thing for her to do. I can see why you would want to blog about that. That is so sweet!

Busy Bee Suz said...

How sweet and nurturing. You are doing a good job, and she is following in your footsteps.
I always loved dolls too. My girls were partial to stuffed animals and barbies. Not sure why they did not like dolls as much....
thanks for sharing.

Weeksie50 said...

Oh, how sweet is this.. I love it.
I love that she is following in your footsteps. Taking the steps to take care of those she loves..

I also love pictures of sleeping children..

Have a good weekend!

Ruby Red Slippers said...

That is the cutest thing! I can't believe I never had a girl-however my five year old lays out clothes for this beloved panda "Webkin". I thought those pictures were darling!!!

Unknown said...

That is so sweet. I love those dolls we still have all of Brinsley's dolls and she is 15 hold those moments precious because they grow up so fast. I wish they could just still little.

Jodee said...

What a sweet picture! She is going to make a great mama some day! My daughter loves dolls too. She takes her twins to bed with her every night.

The Hinesley House said...

They grow up way too fast.That is so sweet that she is trying to be just like her mommy!

I would not give anything for my little boy of course but I am so hoping that my next little one (when that time comes)will be a little girl. I want to dress her up in bows and smocked dresses.....and take her to "American Girl".

Us said...

Ok, this brought tears to my eyes, for lot's of reasons that I won't go into. I have a 9 yr old who still loves her dolls. I love it! Thanks for the beautiful story! You have beautiful kids!

Nowheymama said...

American Girls and Junie B.? Sounds like our house!

Anonymous said...

Aww how sweet!

Wendy said...

Amen. They grow up so fast don't they? What a sweet post.

Unknown said...

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The Beauty Bargainista said...

she reminds me so much of Lagan. She loves taking care of her babies and dressing them, laying out their clothes like I do for her! Dont you wish we could keep them like this forever?

mysteryhistorymom said...

So precious! We fell in love with the American Girls, too! Aren't girls the best?:) the American Girl Place in Chicago is amazing! We spent two days there- one day was not enough! We had brunch in the restaurant and the girls brought their dolls. The food was incredibly good! Then the dolls had their hair "done"! Such a fun time. We can't wait to go back....

Why do children have to grow up so fast? sigh... Lori

I Love Purple More Than You said...

Oh, that is the cutest little thing that she's laying out her doll's clothes just like you lay out her clothes.

Thanks for stopping by my blog!

Daphine said...

Oh my goodness! What a precious precious picture. What an inspiring and beautiful story. I really enjoyed reading this. Thanks so much for inspiring me today.

nikkicrumpet said...

OH MY...that is so sweet. It makes you realize that they not only watch everything mom does...but they like to mimic it too....Also makes you realize you better be careful about the kind of things they see. Dang being a mom is hard work!

Naturally Caffeinated Family said...

Soooo sweet!

Anonymous said...

Thanks for stopping by my blog and commenting. Your children beautiful. I loved this post. I love the innocence of children. They find wonders in the small stuff. I remember this past summer when my nieces came to stay with me; the 2 year old would go into her "own world" mode and find fun in just picking grass. Adults really have a lot to learn from children.

heather said...

Am I following you yet? If I'm not I will as soon as I finish this comment. :)

The differences between boys and girls are so dramatic, don't you think? If you were a teacher, I'm sure you had to sit through development classes where the environment vs. innate debate happens. There is just no getting around it. Little girls are born with the desire to nurture and take care of people. I love it!

Ashley said...

i can't wait till my little girl starts really getting interested in dolls. she has one and that seems to satisfy her for now!!

Darlene said...

Awwww, that is so cute!! Lexi still loves dolls but I think she feels she is getting to old to play with them at 9. There are still her favorites out in her room and they move around so I know she still plays with them.

I LOVE the fact that she lays out her dolls clothes just like her mommy does for her.

Aubrey said...

that's so sweet. my only daughter is such a tomboy.

thanks for stopping by today.

Christy said...

What a sweet story! It brought back memories of when my daughter was little:) Even though she is a teenager now, there are things that she does, or a look she gives that so remind me of when she was little. no matter how old they are, they can always be our little girls.

Victoria - Florence and Mary said...

What a lovely story. My friends little girl has 2 "girl" dolls called Archie Girl and Archie Boy... we have know idea where the name Archie came from or why one has to be a boy!

Victoria x

Laurin Pearce said...

This was such a sweet post! It was great!

Gwen said...

Oh, how sweet.

I was blessed with two boys, so most likely wouldn't know what to do with a girl! But, even these sweet little boys grow up way too fast!

The Berry's Patch said...

Oh, she is so sweet. My daughter had a doll that looked just like her. She would snuggle up to it at night along with our cat. I have pictures, I should post about it.:-)

carrie said...

I too, was so happy that there would be some American Girl stuff in our house when I learned we were having a girl! Mine loves her Bitty Baby to pieces!

I wish they could stay little forever. :)

Angela said...

she look so angelic! i hope when i have kids, i will have a boy and a girl.

vicki said...

I miss you dearly! I miss the girls and i miss having G look up to a big boy. I miss watching TV on wed nights...
thank you for the blog, at least i can see what's going on, as it is so hard to talk on the phone with our busy schedules!
ps. we haver our lawn sign.. .lets see how long it lasts!

2nd Cup of Coffee said...

Oh, how this touched my heart. She will always be your little girl.

Our Complete Family said...

Just darling! I had the same excitement when I found out I was having a girl with Caroline! I hope to one day trek to Chicago, too!!!

loavesandfishes said...

This is just the sweetest. This reminds me of something I heard so long ago that I can't even give credit to whom it is due.

Regarding children, more is caught than taught.

I read a lot of books on parenting and adoption and have attempted to apply various parenting techniques and tips with varied results. But, in the end, my children just seem to "absorb" me....little sponges that they are.

Your daughter is precious. You are clearly pouring yourself into her soul and she loves you so much to reflect your parenting and love to her doll.

Truly, your post has brought tears to my eyes. Hug your daughter.

Mrs. B said...

That is so sweet! My girls both had/have American Girl dolls too. I'd love to take my 7 year old to one of the American Girl stores someday. Enjoy these sweet times!

Sweet Simplicity said...

What a sweetheart! Already taking after her momma and putting the clothes out the night before--adorable!

Cottagecheap said...

hey where was the tissue warning?

I love the song "let them be little". It makes me tear up every time.

How sweet that your girl is such a good doll mama!

sweetfunkyvintage said...

That is the cutest thing ever! My oldest is going to be 6 in November and she is asking for an American Girl doll from Santa. I wondered if she was too young, but now I think maybe she is just right!
missy

mrs boo radley said...

I had an American girl doll...Felicity...and your beautiful daughter reminds me of her with the lovely red hair.

That little ponytail holder all laid out makes my heart melt.

Thanks for stopping by my blog!

Jen @ Rolling Through Looneyville said...

That's adorable. You know, I think that girls playing with their dolls is the most awesome testament to our abilities and actions as mothers.

Sometimes, watching my little one cuddle her doll gives me a little smile because I know I'm doing something right.

Same with yours.

Thanks for your comment on my blog :)

Jenni said...

Oh, how sweet! They do grow up so fast! Our youngest is six, and also loves her dolls...I hope she doesn't outgrow this for a LONG time. Kids are SO precious! :)

Angela said...

That is absolutely precious!!! What a wonderful post, and such a sweet little girl!

junglemama said...

What a precious post. I am glad that I stumbled across your blog.