I wish being allowed to wear tights to bed made ME feel like I’d won the lottery. But for now it’s alright that it makes her this happy…
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Category Archives: Parenting
Cartwheels
“Mom, you know I know things that you don’t even know.”
“Really? Like what?”
“Like cartwheels. Oh. But I don’t know how to do a cartwheel.”
“I do.”
“Oh. Then nevermind. You know everything I know. You’re pretty amazing.”
Dreams
“It would be crazy if your dreams could come out of your head.”
Beauty Tips
“Mom, if you want to put some of my lip gloss on your zit you can. It might make it more beautiful.”
Happy Birthday, Ems…
Ems,
I’m just really proud that it was yesterday you decided to start dropping the “Breaking the Law! Breaking the Law!!” every time we did something a little awesome. Because it will be way funnier to remind you that you used to quote Judas Priest when you were only three. But seriously… are you only four years old? Yesterday afternoon when I picked you up from school we were on the way down the hall and I said “So… did you do anything cool today?” You rolled your eyes a bit and said “Well, sure… let me get my backpack and we can break it down when we get in the car.”
I was almost afraid that years had passed me by and you were turning 14. But then you woke me up this morning with your sweet face next to mine and said “Mom, I think I peed in your bed a tiny, tiny bit.” And oddly… I was happy to have my baby back for a second.
Happy Birthday, goofy girl. You’re still my big, bright star. Every day shining brighter. Love you.
-Mom
Dear Emily on your second birthday…
Dear Emily,
Just a quick note to share with you something wonderfully funny that happened last night the night before your second birthday! A little background first, as your mother has never been any good at “making a long story short.” Earlier yesterday afternoon we had been chasing each other around yelling “Butt!! Butt!” and pinching each other. Evidently you have inherited your mother’s high falootin’ sense of humor. Butt pinching is the peak of hilarity in our house lately. These antics carried on intermittently through the day.
We had dinner, and your buddy from next door came over to play. You took a bath and we put on your jammies. We were reading There Is A Bird On Your Head and laughing. Usually midway through your book you ask for some “Boob” and I know we are winding down our day. You were reading along and laughing at the book and I started wondering how long you would actually continue to nurse. We finished your book and I turned off the light. You put your sweet face against my chest and clutched your blanket. I could feel myself getting weepy, wondering if maybe you were going to go to bed last night, the night before you turned two, without any boob. Just as I could feel my eyes fill with tears I could see your little body tense up, your eyes squeezed tightly shut, and I thought “Is she crying?” Does she know what a big deal this is?
Before I could ask you what was wrong you looked up at me… opened your eyes and you could hardly get it out of your mouth…. “Butt!” you screamed and proceeded to laugh like you might be the funniest person alive. You laughed until you got hiccups.
Ultimately you nursed and calmed down and went to bed. I shut your bedroom door and was putting in a load of laundry. I could hear you in your room “reading” as you do every night now. Then you said “Mom. Mom. Mom.” Not the whiney “get me out of here” Mom but more along the lines of a “I dropped my book can you get it for me?” Mom. I opened your door and you sat up in bed, eyes shining… “Butt!” You laughed and slammed your head against your pillow. I kissed your forehead and closed your door. Your laughter filled the house.
Baby girl, may your laughter carry you through as mine has. Enjoying your own company, and specifically thinking you’re a damn funny girl will get you out (and admittedly in) a lot of trouble in your life. Thank you. Thank you for being such a wonderful friend. For reminding me to keep laughing. You are and will always be my heart and soul, Em. And the second funniest person I have ever known.
Love you, sweetpea. Happy Birthday.
-Mom
Posted in Parenting
Happy Belated Birthday, Emily June
November 15, 2005
Dear Emily,
Today I put this little poem in a frame for you and I am going to hang it in your room. I started this project when I was pregnant with you. I would sit in the chair in the living room after a long day at work, put my feet up and cross-stitch to keep me busy and keep me from worrying about when you would arrive. As your birthday got closer and closer I cross-stitched feverishly in an effort to get it finished before you were born. As it turned out I was not nearly done when you arrived. This turned out to be a blessing. When you were just about a month old I realized that I could nurse you and cross-stitch right over your tiny, perfect little head. My arm would rest against your itty-bitty little shoulders. We sat for hours while you nursed and slept across my lap.
Working on my project late in to the night, both before you were born and after, I would picture myself as a mom, a real mom. In doing this I couldn’t help but think about my mom, your grandmother. When I was little she was always hard at work on a million projects, never just sat down and relaxed. Even when she sat down she was knitting, quilting, sewing something for one of the kids or for our home. Not until I found myself doing the same thing for you did I really understand.
Loving you is all consuming. I can’t just sit and relax even when you are fast asleep. I want to keep my love for you in action. I could never demonstrate the depth of my emotion for you, never put in to words the way you touch me. Through these projects, the cross-stitch, and the new bed skirt, the Halloween costumes and the fancy party dress I will someday make you will know that even when my day is done I kept my hands at work, loving you every moment. Sweetheart, this is the just first time you have filled my heart with love not just for you but for my mom, too. She taught me how to be a mother and we both owe her a big thank you.
Today I finished my first project for you, Emily. No coincidence, today is your grandmother’s birthday. When we look at this little poem hanging in your room I hope it reminds us both of a few things. For you I hope it reminds you to reach for the stars and dream big, little girl. It’s a big world out there and I will be here to help you. Just like the stars in the sky I will always keep one eye open, watching you grow up, sometimes from a distance that pains me now to imagine. For me this poem hanging on your wall will remind me of my mom. She taught me everything I need to know to be your mother. I just didn’t realize it until you were here in my arms.
I love you, baby. You are my big bright star.
Love, Mom
Excitement on the side 