Saving the Best for Last

There seems to be something deep within the gene that transcends what science has yet to explain. How can a child exemplify mannerisms of one of their parents without ever witnessing that behavior. Both Richie and I have seen Madeline sleeping the exact way Richie does. He sleeps on his stomach with one hand on his forehead as if to prop up his head. It's really cute and cuddly.

Well, this morning I was giving Maddy her snack and I had broken her blueberry waffle into small pieces and I was putting them on her tray for her to eat. When there was only one piece left, I told her, "Ok, last bite, then you get some applesauce." She attempted to say applesauce and as she held up the last bite of waffle and studied it. She then put it back down on her tray and poked it with her finger. "Aren't you going to eat that?" I asked her, but she was pointing at the bowl saying, "Ah," which means, "Put some applesauce in my bowl, mother."

I put the applesauce in her bowl and she began eating voraciously. I only put a small amount of food in her bowl, otherwise it ends up on her lap and on the floor and on the walls. Whenever she finishes what's in her bowl, she hands the spoon to me. I give her a refill of applesauce. While I'm doing this, I catch her again, studying that last bite of waffle. When she noticed there was applesauce to eat, she set down the waffle and picked up the spoon. After she had finished all of her applesauce, she picked up the piece of waffle and said, "More," and ate it. Just like her Dad, she saved the best bite for last. I was amazed at her control. It was very untoddler like.

I just had to share this with you because I love you. Now I need to go write a novel.

Me and You and Everyone We Know...

are probably applying for that position at Learning to Love You More. I thought about it as I my body spasmed into sleep last night and I knew in the beginning of my dream sequence that I was perfect for the job. In your dreams you can be anything, including an axe murderer, so it makes just as much sense for me to be confident and self-assured.

While I'm awake, I know I'm great at what I do, which is giving care to our 19-month-old daughter. I wish I could have been the kind of mother I am now for my son when he was younger. I know my love for him was as strong. I can only make the best of what I have now, which isn't as much as I'd like. But I savor ever moment with him.

I love you and I love you all.

What You Can Find in the Laundry

After Madeline eats breakfast and watches her Blue's, we go into my bathroom so I can get ready for the day. I always turn on music and we dance together in between brushing my teeth and putting on my clothes. Well, while I was spitting out toothpaste, I found Maddy digging through our dirty clothes hamper. The first thing she pulled out was a pair of my dirty underwear, which she almost instinctually put up to her nose. "No, that's gross," I said and buried it deep in the hamper. She then said, "Dadat, Dadat." I kept telling her that Daddy had to go bye bye to work in the car, but she was looking in the hamper while repeating "Dadat". I finally figured out that she wanted one of Richie's shirts. I took one out (it happened to be the scrub top that was wearing when she saw him for the first time) and spread it on the bed. She rested her head on it and said, "Nighnigh." I just about died.

So, if you every think for even one second that your daughter doesn't miss you during the day, you're wrong. Dead wrong.

Well, I should probably go write a novel. I'm doing the National Novel Writing Month thingy where people all over the nation try to write a novel in a month (in case the title wasn't implicit enough).

I love you.

"Hey, I appreciate your time."

I know this blog is mostly about my family, but I feel (maybe it's because we watch Arrested Development incessantly) that the Bluths are family. Here's a picture David, I mean, G.O.B. at the Gothic Castle. This is the episode where he steals Michael's watch while Michael's trying to steal Marta 2. I love it when people thank me for my time. Time is the most important thing, with the exception of breakfast. I mean, family.

I love you.