Sunday, January 31, 2010

Mend



I'm sitting downstairs in the dark- hiding from you. I don't mean to, but NaNa is in the dryer and I'm trying to spare you a meltdown.
Your fan club has been after me to update them on my little chickadee.
It's been a long, trying week. You're still only at about 50%.
Your face is red, raw, and tired.
Your spunk comes in tiny spurts vs. the typical endless tide pool.
I've smeared more Vicks, Aquaphor, and Bag Balm on you than most old ladies wear in a month.

So, we're weathering the storm together as a family.
I hope you can feel the love ... so many people have asked about you this week- you are SO loved.

Boogers and all.

Feel better soon.

Mama loves.

Tuesday, January 26, 2010

Portrait of Sadness



For the past 16 hours, you and I have become more acquainted than ever before.
You might think that impossible seeing as how I'm the one who gave birth to you, and all.

But today, darling daughter, you threw up in my mouth.

. . .

You're sick and tired, and scared and I wish I could make it all go away for you. This flu thing, we've never done THIS before.
We did get to have four costume changes apiece, today.
That would have been more fun had you not had vomit in your hair.
Or me, in mine, either.

So, I've been your personal health technician today.
You say, 'NOSE' and I wipe it.
You say, 'WATER' and I tip it to your lips.
You say, "HOLD YOU', and I'm there faster than you can say ... Oh NO! It fell out! when you threw up on the carpet by your farm.

I'm so sorry, sweetie. Please get better.
Mama loves.

Friday, January 22, 2010

The End of an Era

It took just over two years for this day to come, and I knew well ahead of time I would be sad when it happened. I was prepared, and yet, still. I am not.

She has worn her last onesie.

I remember the size NB ones ... that when I unwrapped from the package and laid flat, I thought there's no way a baby would ever be that small. I was wrong.

I made outfits out of onesies, layering the tiny tees to make them work for my winter baby.

There were the onesies the lil' dude's Godfather picked out, the ones Daddy liked best.

Then, there was the funny one I picked out special for my mini-Hollywood when I went on that work trip right after she was born.

That Hollywood phenom caught on!

And, as she grew, they grew. I knew the number '24 months' was as high as they'd go. I made sure we got our fill.

Some lazy summer days spent at home, the onesie became an outfit on its own. I'll miss that simplicity.

The last one. As her legs grew longer and independence stronger, I secretly liked that part of her was still a baby; that part of her clothed in a onesie wouldn't mean she was grown up.

But, she is. I tucked away all her onesies ... from sizes NB, 3mo., 6 ... 9, 12 ... 18, and 24.
They are nestled safely away with the rest of her bygone babyhood; the pacifiers, bottles. Her first pair of Uggs. The swaddling blankets, chew toys, and bibs declaring her first everything.

But onesie, it is you, inexplicably, I will miss the most.

Thursday, January 21, 2010

Privacy

I am lamenting on your grown-upness today, lil' dude.

The time has already come when you prefer to do your ... duties by yourself in the bathroom.

That's right, at age two, your tiny defiance has reigned supreme.
Mama, leave, you whisper.
So I do.

And yet;
I still comb your hair.
Put your toothbrush out.
Pick out your clothes.
Your jammies.
Kiss your owwies.
Read you stories.
Play the part of make-believe you want me to.
Pour your milk.
Wash your face.
Tuck you in.
Remind you of your manners.
Love you to the moon.

Monday, January 18, 2010

Sticky & Sweet


I have always been in love with your Hollywood lashes ...


A lollipop is a rare treat, but it served its purpose as part of your toilet training.


Not much on slowly savoring anything, you demolished your cherry pop in under five minutes.


And I was sitting there, taking you in, snapping an obscene amount of photographs the entire time.

Because I just won't ever get enough of you.