From Baby to Art Student, a trip down Memory Lane

I've been reading lots of blogs lately, many of them parenting blogs and it's made me a bit nostalgic for the baby days. - not that I would actually like to go back there, it's just nice to think about it :)
So I decided to  take some time and look back on all the years with our eldest 'baby', 20 now!


Here's Síomha as a baby, I couldn't have been more excited about being pregnant, I remember rushing off to buy baby clothes the minute I heard the news and I couldn't wait to tell Mark who was at the cinema with a friend.  When she finally arrived with a big mop of black hair, it was love at first sight.

That's not to diminish how hard I found being a new mum - I didn't have any friends with children or a particularly 'maternal' mother so I was at sea altogether and obsessed with getting everything right and reading every parenting book available, basically setting myself up to fail.

Síomha Reid Baby
Baby Síomha


Still, as time went on and I got into a groove and gained in confidence, things began to feel a bit easier and I could relax and enjoy the good bits. Some of my favourite memories with Síomha were going to all the parks around Dublin. We lived at the time in Stamer St. near the South Circular Road and we were within walking distance of so many great parks. The one I loved the most was the Iveagh Gardens, it always seemed like a little bit of a secret place because it was so tucked away.
We pretty much visited them all though. Having no car wasn't a deterrant, I used to walk everywhere and although Síomha HATED being in a buggy, once she could get out and walk and run, she was happy out!

Clearly coordinating clothes was not a top priority for me at that time ;)

Síomha Toddler
Siomha in Dunmore East


We moved to Kildare after a little bit of time living in Clondalkin - Síomha went to a Steiner Kindergarten in Tallaght run by the wonderful Marie McCarthy and was also taught by Solvje and it was a whole world of loveliness and a place I was very happy for her to be.

We then had to make a decision about primary school and knowing that there was a Steiner School in County Kildare, we opted to moved bag and baggage to be near the school and bought our current house in Kilcullen.

She thrived in the Kildare Steiner School, it was the best option for her and brought out all the amazing artistic talent that has come to fruition now. She was fortunate enough to be taught by the wonderful Dorly O'Sullivan and Gale Pullen, amazing women and amazing teachers!


Síomha France
Siomha in France

Above pic is Síomha in France, we had many lovely holidays there with my parents. I remember one year going home asking Síomha what her favourite part of the holiday was? She said 'the cows' :)
We had stopped near a field of cows and this was the part that stood out the most, so cute :)

Fast forward and we hit the teens - a bit of a rollercoaster. There was quite a lot of door slamming and 'I hate you's' - Mark got the brunt of it unfortunately!


Siomha Donegal 08
Síomha Donegal 08

Síomha Kerry 09
Síomha Kerry 09

Síomha Reid Russborough House
Síomha Russborough House

Having negotiated through the worst of the teens, things started to improve ;)


Siomha Reid Mark Reid Wicklow
Daddy & Síomha Tree Climbing

Mark, Síomha and Izzy in London.
Mark, Izzy & Síomhs in London




Siomha Izzy Christmas the Curragh
Siomha & Izzy Christmas Day 08


Siomha developed an amazing singing voice, something that has always seemed astonishing to me as I can't sing a note!


She also became more and more 'herself', with a quirky crazy sense of humour and a little bit of a 'living in fairyland' vibe - which can either be cute or infuriating, depending on my mood!


Síomha & Izzy London
Síomha & Izzy London



Síomha & Izzy London Park
Síomha & Izzy London Park


She finished school, looked gorgeous at her debs, did an art portfolio at Conleth's College in Newbridge..


Síomha Debs in wellies
Síomha Debs
Síomha Graduating Conleths's
Síomha Graduation Conleth's






Which brings us to today - Síomha has recently started in the National College of Art and Design and I couldn't be prouder - she's a super talented amazing person.

I still can't believe I'm the mother of a 20 year old but we've arrived at this point relatively unscathed so if I can do it, anyone can ;)




Síomha and Cliona Christening



Next Post Previous Post
15 Comments
  • Claire Kane
    Claire Kane 5 October 2015 at 14:07

    what a lovely post! You're clearly a very proud mother and it's easy to see why; she seems really artistic and judging by the debs photo she's a bit of a laugh too which counts for so, so much. I hope she's loving NCAD.

    Also I can't leave a comment without drawing attention to the absolute bang of 90s of the picture of your daughter in Dunmore. I think every 90s baby had that jacket, and I have seen very few 90s babies in well coordinated outfits so I wouldn't worry too much about it. It was the style at the time!

    • Cliona Kelliher
      Cliona Kelliher 5 October 2015 at 21:56

      Ha, thanks, it 's strikingly multicoloured! :)

  • Unknown
    Unknown 5 October 2015 at 15:02

    Hi Cliona! What a lovely little trip back to the start! Having crossed Siomha's path briefly online I know that she has a lovely large quirky personality! So suited to NCAD ! I have no doubt she will be brilliant. As a mother of a 31 year old this has made be feel SO old !! ... but in a good way :) xx

    • Cliona Kelliher
      Cliona Kelliher 5 October 2015 at 21:57

      Thanks Mary. Can't imagine you as mum of a 31 year old either, crazy!

  • Unknown
    Unknown 5 October 2015 at 16:13

    Cliona this is a lovely heartfelt post. Felt like I'd watched her grow up myself just there! Best of luck to her in NCAD :) x

  • Amy Treasure
    Amy Treasure 5 October 2015 at 16:37

    Oh gosh this made me a bit teary! I bet it only seems like yesterday. I have a 16, 15 and 2 year old and I am so nostalgic it kills me! Lovely, lovely post and what a beautiful girl xx

  • Sarah
    Sarah 5 October 2015 at 18:19

    Awww, this post is lovely! I must admit, I have a little tear in my eye. Your daughter is amazing! You are amazing!! You sound so, so proud! And time does go by so fast. My eldest is almost 12 years old and I still can't believe it!
    Really enjoyed this post a lot xx

  • Unknown
    Unknown 5 October 2015 at 19:01

    Oh my god, this post has made me teary! I can't imagine my baby as a 20-year-old, all grown-up with a personality and at college! The time must have flown so quickly for you but I bet you remember it all like yesterday. Aw! Sabrina xx

  • Unknown
    Unknown 5 October 2015 at 20:38

    Beautiful daughter who takes after her beautiful Mother. It is sad how fast time really goes by but look at the amazingly talented lady she has grown into! Congratulations to her on her Art accredidationx

  • Joanne
    Joanne 5 October 2015 at 21:47

    Ahhhh that's lovely. I've got a toddler and baby and love it but constantly think about what they'll grow up to be

  • Catherine Lux
    Catherine Lux 5 October 2015 at 22:33

    Aww this is such a cute post! Some really gorgeous photos in here,and she has such a beautiful name!

    C x | Lux Life

  • Janine
    Janine 6 October 2015 at 07:13

    What a story and it's really nice to look back on these things. My eldest is only 3 but I already like to look back on his photos and compare them with chloes one and see the similarity.

  • cvnvnewr
    cvnvnewr 7 October 2015 at 09:07

    Beautiful post :)

  • Ickle Pickle
    Ickle Pickle 7 October 2015 at 12:33

    I have to say , I had to re-read the intro - you just do not look old enough to have a 20 yo! My eldest is 19 - time flies so fast doesn't it? Kaz x

    • Cliona Kelliher
      Cliona Kelliher 8 October 2015 at 19:52

      Lols, thanks Kaz and yes, it does fly! Crazy how quickly :)

Add Comment
comment url