Sleepy?

I will never ever go against the bedtime routine again! Caitlyn crashed at 6 and we left her. BIG mistake. Now I'm up at 2am with a happy, playing baby. She's over getting tired in the Jump-A-Roo, though. Maybe she's done. I see a head bob. She doesn't look too sleepy, though!

Mondays....ugh.

We've been back to work one week and I'm tired of being a working mama already. We were at school a little extra long today and didn't sign out the girls until after 5:00. These are the days I hate. To pick up my baby and know she might not be the LAST one there, but she is one of the last. Alone in the swing, wondering if Mommy is EVER coming. Do babies really wonder those things? I don' t know, but that's what my guilty mind imagines. When I come to get her she absolutely can't take her eyes off of me, and how she smiles and smiles! I realize I'm the shining sun in the center of her universe and for her, this day has been one long eclipse. We finally get home in time for a quick dinner, a bath and then it's bedtime. Daycare raised my baby today. Mondays suck.

A thing for Elmo

Jaden has not seen Sesame Street yet, but boy...does she have a thing for Elmo! She has several Sesame books, and Elmo is her favorite character. Personally, I would have thought a one-year-old wouldn't be likely to fall in love with a googly-eyed, red haired monster. But what do I know?

Yesterday we were browsing the book section of our local consignment shop. I saw Elmo standing on that shelf, but it didn't really click with me that he might catch Jaden's eye too. Just as we were rounding the corner to leave, she saw him. Her face lit up, as if she couldn't actually believe her eyes. Could it really be? She whispered "Elmo?" Then cried, Elmo, Elmo, Elmo!!"

I pulled him down from the shelf and handed him to Jaden. Somewhere in the back of my mind I was thinking, "I'll just let her carry him around awhile, and then we'll say good-bye and leave." It's a strategy that works about 80% of the time. This time I completely underestimated my child's affections. When I handed him to Jaden, she gathered him in her arms as if she were hugging a long lost friend. She cradled his furry face in both her hands. She kissed him over and over. She sat him in the cart next to her, and put her arm around the shoulders of her buddy. I saw the sweetest, most tender expression full of true love on her face. I signed with resignation. It didn't really matter what his foot tag said.

Elmo lives at our house now. Someday, Jaden will learn you can't really put a price on love and friendship, and that the most important things in life have a value that's immeasurable. Yesterday, however, love's price tag was only 4.99+ tax. That's not too shabby.

Super mommy

How can I be soooooo tired and still want to play with my girls? This has been a really draining week, yet here I am on Saturday afternoon rolling around on the floor playing tickle games. I think mommies must have secret reserve powers. There is a never-ending well of love, energy, and spirit inside me when I need to draw on it. In all the time I've been making withdrawals, I have never overdrawn. I am never, ever empty.

My happy little love child

Caitlyn...It's amazing how happy I can make you by just smiling. I don't have to be beautiful, intelligent, or impress you with my winning personality. Thankfully, you love me anyway. You are the only human in my universe whose face lights up every single time you see me. I'm lucky to be your mommy.