Thursday 16 August 2012

The Height of Summer

So you like it, then? The new look? I do too. Y'know, when I was starting to think about blogging I jotted down a few possible titles. One was Still a Thrill, a nod to the idea that I'd been making stuff for years and it was just as much fun as ever. Didn't go with it, obviously; but, as I head towards 500 posts, I have to say hitting publish - is, yes, still a thrill.

My first post was simply an introduction. My second? It was a short story and I remembered it when I saw that Julie was thinking about things tall and small with her clever new blog series The Height of Summer



I've never re-told a story here before, but it's fun and a bit of a tribute to that boy of mine who has exam results looming today. So let my second story be my (nearly) 500th with....

Short Happens

The Tall One hasn't always been tall. Many years ago he was very small.

"This baby is very small," said the midwives.
"This baby is very small," said the doctors.

"Stop!" said the wily old Consultant. "This is a small baby. But this is one smart, small baby. Look at his Mum. She's not very big at all. Where's he supposed to grow? When he gets out he'll stretch his legs.."

And he was right. The Tall One is smart. And he is tall. Taller even than The Accountant. Which I'm not. Obviously. 

He does empathise, though. When he happens upon me hemming a pair of jeans or balancing on a chair (because-it's-OK-I-can-get-it-myself), he likes to pat me on the head.

"Don't worry Mum," he says kindly. "Short happens.."


For the record? He weighed 4lb 11oz when he was born. Round about what I came out at too. He grew. I tried. But I stopped at 5'2". On a good day. with the sun in my hair and the wind at my back. This is the picture I used in my post from almost three years ago. He's grown again since then. And so has the other one. Oh, yes, I'm The Small One now.

Have a great Thursday!

41 comments:

Julie Kirk said...

Fingers crossed for his results, I'm sure your 'one small, smart baby' will have done superbly!

Thanks so much for linking up to me with this Sian.

:-)

p.s: all pinned: http://pinterest.com/notesonpaper/the-height-of-summer-2012/

Irene said...

Good stuff comes in small packages, my granny always said... So glad you repeated this story and its accompanying photograph. I really like the three of you framed by the door.

Unknown said...

I'm a Johnny-come-lately so this is the first time for me to this story :) What a good one. What a small one he was and how well you have grown him! Good Luck for today to you all but especially him.

Adore that photo.

scrappyjacky said...

Oh Sian....I remember this story well....I loved it....and have been addicted to your blog ever since!
Funnily enough....looking at that photo...you and TTO look little different today...even though he's grown....it's the 'other one' who has really grown....from a child to a young lady.
Like me....I'm afraid you'll have to get used to being 'the small one' in the family!

Amy said...

Like Jacky, I can admit to reading this the first time around - and things have changed a lot since then ... and stayed the same to some degree.
Yes, TNSSO seems to have grown the most since I last saw that photo, but it's a big day for TTO - best of luck to him, I am sure he will do himself proud!

Ruth said...

I'm another who remembers this post (or parts of it) first time round. Am betting TTO gets excellent results today!

Abi said...

Oh this is sweet! I am the small one too!

Lou said...

Glad you revisited this story.....he was a small baby. I'm sure it won't be long before all mine overtake me too. One already has two more to go. A lovely photo and story - did you scrap it? xx

debs14 said...

This project is confirming what I already suspected - I am the shortest blogger in the world. 5'1". {{sigh}}

Cheri said...

If it makes you feel any better, I'm only 5'4" and I've always wished I was 5'6" and all three of my girls passed me in height years ago, even the peanut that we brought home from the hospital weighing 4 lbs 11 oz (her twin had a full pound on her) and we dressed her in Cabbage Patch doll clothes!

Amanda said...

I think it's a nice idea to revisit this story. As you know i'm the small one too.

.......and I haven't said yet but I love your new look. Very stylish much like yourself.

laurie said...

this is a great story with so many implications. life is full of wonderful "surprises", which is why it is such a treat to witness children come into their own as they grow.

Ladkyis said...

I'm gonna be 5' 2" when I grow up! Oh, Mr M says I am grown up and I am still only 5' 1 and a bit. If I breath in and stretch.
Fortunately I have smaller people in my life now, but they too will grow.
I love the story and I love the clever consultant!

Elizabeth said...

Lovely story! Living with a forest of tall people, I can empathize with you. At just 5 foot tall, I am the smallest person I know.

Carmen said...

What great words from that doctor :) At 5' 10" (and a bit!) I'm still the tall one in our house... but only just. Reckon I have about an inch or two before Devvie goes shooting past me!

alexa said...

Hoping all goes well for him today! Hasn't he (and all of you!) done well?

Nathalie said...

:) Since I have a teenage son who's also way taller than me (and it is not hard as I measure exactly the same as you!) I can relate to how you feel.... I am not yet the shortest in the family but I better not blink!!

Susanne said...

Yes, I like your new look - I noticed the circled S icon showing up in Google Reader right away. Great idea to revisit some past posts/stories as not everyone was along at the beginning - although I think nearly so. Although you have to remind me again - who is the consultant? I'm off to check my own post count since I compose in Live Writer I don't much check that stuff in Blogger. Thanks for the lovely visit every time I drop by.

Jennifer Shaw said...

Fun to read an old post! Yes that is one tall young man!

ComfyMom~Stacey said...

Mine haven't quite reached that point yet but I think I only have about 3 more years before they tower over me.

Sandie said...

That's a lovely story and I do love the new look. It's very tranquil, nice and easy to read.

Maria Ontiveros said...

That picture is so cute! I am working on a height of summer post myself.
Rinda

Alana said...

Whetherr it's a recycled story Or not it's still worth telling again. Hope your tall one had good news today:)

Barbara Eads said...

Love the new look. And your children are gorgeous!

Beverly said...

oh how the babies have grown but you have not aged in 3 years :)

Anonymous said...

Loved this post Sian and like many I too am the smallest in the house now. A couple of inches smaller than Gracia, a whole foot smaller than David and not even coming up to Josh's shoulder (and he is still growing)!

Jimjams said...

Great re-telling of a sweet story - though I want to see that photo in it's current form ... hoping that it is on its way soon!

Fingers crossed for the results TTO wants!

Alison said...

Thanks for re-telling Sian..you have reminded me that I had hope to join in with 'the Height of Summer' too...best of luck with these results!
Alison xx

Ifa said...

LOL...I always thought only big babies grow tall...my own was a hefty 8lb 7oz! I wonder what news you had. We had a good one though he was disappointed to miss out on a * in English.

Sue Althouse said...

That is a new story to me, thanks for re-sharing. And I think you chose wisely with your blog title!

Wanda said...

Sian, you've probably noticed by now that I defer most of my blog commenting until the weekend, but I'm often intrigued enough by post titles or the blurb my reader provides to take an early peek at a post or two. Such was the case with this post--except what attracted my attention was the little circle-S next to your blog title. I thought "hmmm...what's up with this?" so off I went to check it out.

Congrats on your new look. I do like it! Nice and airy but retaining all the elements long-time followers enjoy.

Here's too many wonderful postings under your new banner!

Lizzie said...

Ah, but Small is Beautiful, eh Sian?

Good story and great photo!

I'm 5'5" and my Small One is now a half-inch taller than his mum... Soon he will be taller than his (only 5'6") dad. He may even be Tall, like his cousin and grandad - you never know...

Jennifer Grace said...

Hello Sian, sorry I haven't been by much lately. Your blog is one that I like to visit when I can properly sit and savour my visit, as though we're sitting down together for a cup of tea/coffee and a chat. Hope that's okay. I have a spare hour now, so I'm going to read backwards through your posts! Will you join me for a hot beverage?

I love the new blog look. It's nice and bright, like a fresh breeze, and I like the pops of red under the post titles etc.

Love this story too. I often wonder what height my kiddies will end up at, as I barely come up to hubby's shoulder. Maybe I'll be the small one eventually too. Hope the Tall One did well on his exams, fingers crossed. x

Gem's Crafts said...

What a lovely memory to have shared, fingers crossed the Tall One's results were what he wanted :)

Ginger said...

Love this story Sian :) I like to see revisted posts. I am loving the posts out there for Julie's "Height Of Summer". I might try to come up with something too :) Good luck to TTO!

Clare said...

I'm definitely the small one in our household, DS has had a recent growth spurt and is mow edging his way past me! At least being small we never hit our heads in low doorways!

Missus Wookie said...

Hope the results were good at your house too.

All of the kids Grandmas are small and point out that growing past them isn't much of a challenge!

Glad you started the blog and that we 'met' :)

Unknown said...

Both my boys are taller than me now ... sigh. Give it a few more years and I will be the short one as I am sure The Princess will be taller than me.

Melissa said...

How fun to re-post such a great story - perfect for the Height of Summer.

Lisa-Jane said...

Small but beautifully formed! I'm 5'2" as well and it can be tricky at times!

Anonymous said...

So glad you retold that story as I wasn't here then. Great pic of the 3 of you. I'll have to go check out Julie's "Height of Summer"

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