The end of her babyhood.
Thursday, September 27, 2012 at 8:48PM 
Since Ella was a teeny-tiny newborn, she has had a thing for the soft muslin wrap that we attempted to wrap her in. She hated being wrapped, and would wiggle her way out in record time. Everytime.
I realised very quickly that she didn't want to be wrapped, but she did want to feel the material near her face, and she settled much quicker when the wrap was coiled in her hands; her fingers slowly rubbing it over.
Ella - 1 month old. Blankie in lap.So each nap, each night, each car ride; we would give her the wrap. Very quickly, that wrap became a vital part of her routine - a vital part of her. And before we knew it; our baby girl had a Blankie.
A blankie that could NOT be left behind. It came everywhere with us. It was her security system.
It was quite awesome to watch how that simple piece of cotton calmed her, and made her so happy. Quite cute actually. Our girl and her Blankie.
Ella - taking over Mummy & Daddy's bed. With her blankie of course.
Time went on, Ella grew & grew.
She started daycare at 12months of age - the blankie went too.
It started to fade and thin. But she still loved it. Even more so.
Ella aged 21 months.
She got to an age where she started to have sleep-overs at grandparents, and of course the blankie went too. It was never left behind.
Blankie came on our overseas trip last year. It was cuddled & clenched through 10 flights, 4 countries and 3 weeks away from home.
And when Ella started part-time Kindy {pre-prep} this year, Blankie was there.....hiding inside her 'sheet bag', ready for comfort at rest time.
By now, it was VERY torn and tattered. I had attempted to tie the tears into knots. It resembled a rag more than a wrap. A couple of months ago; Chris's Mum worked her sewing magic on Blankie. It was now a square again....but a third of the size. Ella still, night after night; relished in the security of her Blankie.
*****
A few weeks ago, I noticed that Blankie was not urgently retrieved from the clean washing pile at bedtime like it usually was. I didn't say anything. She went to bed without it. No mention of it.
The next day, I placed Blankie in her pyjama draw. Yet another night rolled by - no sign of Blankie.
After a week or so, of an abandoned Blankie, I asked Ella if she'd like me to get it for bedtime. "No thanks Mummy, I don't really want Blankie much anymore. I'll cuddle Rosie instead" {Rosie is a stuffed toy she bought from Woolworths for $8 earlier this year}
My heart skipped a little beat. Those words took my breath away for a moment.
That piece of material has been an extension of our girl for over 4 years. And now....now she's started to move on.
As silly as it sounds; this makes me sad. Sad that this stage is over - that again, I have to accept & learn the art of 'letting go', as I watch her spread her wings and grow.
With Blankie slowly being eliminated from the picture, I'm witnessing the final strings of her babyhood being cut.
Ouch.
Ella aged 4, with Blankie.
I'll put Blankie away soon, in 'that' special box of art work and photos, and random sentimental treasures, that we plan to keep forever.
Maybe she'll miss it soon and go in search for it. Maybe she won't.
My baby's growing up.
Sniff Sniff.
Reader Comments (11)
Beautifully written Claire and how cute is Ella in that photo at 21 months!! Adorable!
I'm finding the 'letting go of our babies' part of motherhood difficult too - accepting that they're becoming so independent so quickly :(
Ella is a beautiful little soul and moments like this illustrate just how sweet a little girl she is xx
Gorgeous girl Ella- Lou still has her blankie. I'm in no rush for her to give it up. I think I'd be as sad and sentimental as you are - they really are little for such a short time. Lou and I managed to catch Ella's Hootiebelle picture yesterday - great work!!
Thanks Linda :) their 'young' years only lasts so long hey?! Sniff sniff! Glad you saw Ella's hootabelle drawing. She was pretty excited :) x
I agree Amanda! It's the accepting of different milestones & letting go of stages that make this motherhood gig so hard :( xx
Oh this brings a tear to my eyes as I remember when my daughter was that age. We never had a blankie but did use certain boys to bring comfort and security. There are many stages through a chlds life and some of them are definately hard to let go of. Thanks for sharing this and letting me sit here and day dream of some very happy times from many years ago.
I am very sentimental and still have the soft toy bunny rabbit which gave me so much happiness and comfort as a child. He is looking very worn and dirty now but I am keeping him forever as he was a big part of my childhood. I think he was one of the first toys I was ever given :)
Oh this brings a tear to my eyes as I remember when my daughter was that age. I wish with all my heart she wasn't growing up so fast.
There are many stages through a chlds life and some of them are definately hard to let go of. Thanks for sharing this and letting me sit here and day dream of some very happy times from many years ago.
I am very sentimental and still have the soft toy bunny rabbit which gave me so much happiness and comfort as a child. He is looking very worn and dirty now but I am keeping him forever as he was a big part of my childhood. I think he was one of the first toys I was ever given :)
Very cute babby, thanks for sharing.
Steph @ sewa mobil jakarta
oh what a sentimental post! you may just have to print this post in hard copy and put it in with Blankie in the special box too! How wonderful that she knew when she didn't need it anymore! Yes, they grow up so quick xx
What a strong girl you're raising, having the strength to let go of her blankie. They're amazing independent little things aren't they, knowing when the time is right to move on. Take care mum, she's still little and gorgeous, you've a few more years of this.
That is just lovely, she really is growing up.
My girls are 8 and 10 and still have their special teddies and blankets that they sleep with every night and are (for the 10 yr old) descreetly put in their backpacks for sleepovers. The little guy ( 5 ) is not so fussed about his teddy or blanket, he thinks he is too old for them!!!
Sniff! They grow up without us looking, even though we look every single day!! I will feel EXACTLY the same when my Badoo's 'pinky' gets left in the pj drawer... x