Seventh Child Takes the Lead

At 18 months old, our work is done with Tziporah.  At least that's what she thinks.  She is confident that she can take care of herself.  The other day, she took off her own diaper, went to the closet where we keep the wipes, and wiped her own bottom.  She doesn't wait around for someone else to solve her problems, that's for sure!

 At the pool, Tizzy was so determined to get up on the diving board, I finally let her.  Instead of being scared, she was even more determined to jump off like all the big kids.  The next time we went to the pool, she pointed and said, "Be board," before heading off in that direction, hoping her little legs could carry her fast enough that her pursuers couldn't intercept her fun.  After much cajoling from Tizzy, we found a life jacket and let her jump off the diving board.  She loved it!  Actually, she couldn't quite figure out how to get airborne, so Ruby would throw her in and the rest of us would wait for her to plunge in and bob to the surface, water streaming off her beaming face.

Tziporah is the happiest when she is allowed the freedom and responsibility she craves.  Nothing harshes her mellow faster than being prohibited from carrying out her sometimes dangerous plans.  I don't know if it comes from being the littlest person around, or if she takes care of herself out of necessity.  Sometimes, in the sturm und drang of a large family, nobody notices your diaper needs to be changed except...you.  Likewise, when you're the tiniest person on the block, you may just be the only one in the crowd who realizes you're ready for new challenges.

So jump, Tziporah!  Lead the way.  We'll all be right behind you.