I awoke to a still-sleepy little girl, so we had cuddle time before jumping into our morning routine of breakfast, dressing, brushing teeth, and heading out the door. Once she discovered the balloons I blew up for her, she was happy, silly girl, floating around the living room as if she were just as light and feathery as the balloons she grasped. She was slightly in and out of crankiness, but what toddler isn't. When our morning routine finally started and it was time for mommy to shower, I had to find some way to distract her. So we sang a song, or rather, mommy sang the song and Emma demanded an encore repeat (20 times). "Happy Birthday to you...Happy Birthday to you...Happy Birthday to... "EMMA" (She'd squeal)...Happy Birthday to you."
Emma: "Again, mommy. Emma's burday...Happy burday to Emma"
Me: "Can we sing Happy Birthday to Mommy?"
Emma: "No, mommy, it's Emma's burday. Happy burday to Emma."
And so we sang. 20, 30, 40 times. I lost count. She demanded encore after encore. How could I deny her sweet voice, dewy blue eyes, soft bouncy blond curls...it was HER birthday after all.
Alas, my birthday days are gone. I am forever stuck at 26, the age I gave birth the best, most cherished and awesome birthday gift could ever receive. My daughter.
I'm ok with that. Being 26 forever. Now, if only my body, laugh lines, and wrinkles would get the memo.
Some of Emma's favorite things at TWO:
What she's watching:
If we've watched these once we've watched them 100x...a day.
She loves the "I feel better...so much better...thank you doc for taking all the ouchies away" song
"Let it go...let it go.... Here I stand..." She sings it, just.like.that. Adorable.
"Where's Sully, momma? There he is! Where's baby (boo), momma? There's baby!"
"Nemo touch the butt! oh no.... Where's Nemo, momma?"
Tangled. She just likes this one, and so does momma! It's my favorite.
What she's doing:
Painting, drawing with side walk chalk, playing in water, Swimming, playing outside, Puzzles (she cannot get enough and must do her puzzles every day. If she doesn't, she conveniently reminds us that she has done puzzles yet).
Running. Around the house. In circles.
Twirling. Around and around and around until she's dizzy and giddy. She'll stop, wobble, catch her breathe, and start all over again. This can last up to 30 minutes.
Talking. She'll say full sentences. She's a mocking bird and a parrot. She loves to babble. I'll find her talking to her babies or talking to the TV carrying on full length conversations. I can only make out certain words or phrases. I'm fairly certain she's speaking in tongues, some foreign Emma language. She understands her self and her stories. That's all that matter!
Reading. She loves to page through books, telling the story through her eyes and from her viewpoint. I've caught her a number of times sitting quietly on her bed, a book on her lap, ankles crossed, and a pile of books around her. So sweet.
I could go on and on. The truth is, she's into everything. She's imaginative. Silly. Playful. She's kind. She's loving, caring, compassionate. If you say "ouch" or act like something hurts you she'll gently cup your cheek and say "You ok? I kiss it" and with a peck on the cheek or whatever body part is hurt she'll look into your eyes and say "You ok? All better!"
To say this girl rocks my world is an understatement. Mothering, parenting, it's hard work. It's stressful and overwhelming. But watching her grow, being part of the action and reactions. Seeing myself through her eyes...Wow. Just wow.
Happy Birthday, Emma June! We will forever be birthday girls, mother & daughter. You are a treasure, the best birthday gift I have ever received. Nothing and no one could top you. I promise. I love you, now and always.
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