Singing You To Sleep

Charlotte,

Tonight, since your Daddy is out of town, I had the pleasure of putting you to bed. You sat on my lap in the rocker in the corner of your room with your 2 favorite blankets, piglet and cup of milk. There is hardly room for all of it plus the two of us, but it is so comforting to you - it is part of the routine, and we aren't planning to change it anytime soon. Taking your paci away was heartbreaking enough. I will rock you in that rocker until you leave for college if you want me to.

After we read your new favorite book, "I Love You Stinky Face", I turned out the light and started to sing to you. I sang all of the songs that Daddy sings - "You Are My Sunshine", "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star", "Jesus Loves Me", and "Jesus Loves the Little Children".

As I was singing, you started to sing - you know all of the words!! You didn't just sing softly, you sang as if you wanted everyone to hear. You have the sweetest voice and I absolutely adore the way you sing certain words. I'm not sure why I started to cry, but it brought tears to my eyes when you sang along with me. You didn't notice, you just kept singing even though I know a couple of tears dripped on your clean hair.

You are getting so big, but are still such a baby to me. I can hardly believe that the tiny baby I struggled to feed in that rocker is now singing songs with me. I'm so terribly proud of you and what you are becoming. I came downstairs to write this moment down so we would have it forever - if I could put those moments in a bottle to somehow have again one day, I would. But, I can't - this is the best I can do.

Sleep tight tonight.

Mommy

My parents made it last weekend despite the weather that we had. The two flights before theirs were cancelled, but their flight was right on time. I'm glad, because all Charlotte could talk about all day Friday and Saturday morning was Grammie and Grandad and the fact that they were coming to her house.

We had a really good visit. My parents were hoping for some warmer weather, but it wasn't too cold. They babysat Charlotte on Valentine's Day so Judd and I could go to a movie and to dinner. We had a wonderful evening together. We went to Varasano's Pizzeria in Buckhead. Judd read about it online - and it was the best pizza I've had. It was SO good - so if you get the chance to go to Buckhead make a reservation and check it out.

The rest of the visit was spent hanging out and playing with Charlotte.

Today Judd is packing to head to Sydney for over a week. He leaves tonight. I'm really happy for him that he gets this opportunity, but really sad that he will be gone for so long. Char and I are going to try to head to PA at some point for a few days - hopefully today.

Twelve

10 years ago Judd and I were a brand new couple on Valentine's Day. We had met 2 weeks earlier. He had made plans to take another girl out on Valentine's before we met - so we didn't go out on a date. However, he stopped by the sorority house on his way to pick the girl up.

We sat out on the back porch and exchanged cards. Then he handed me three roses. I thought it was sweet and thoughtful. I went out to dinner with my friends, and he went out with the other girl. (that was the last he went out with another girl while we were dating!)

A couple of years later the real story about the 3 roses came out. That first Valentine's Day he went to Kroger to pick up some roses. In true poor college guy fashion, he picked out a half dozen roses and asked the florist to split it into 2 bouqets. He said the florist just gave him a look, but complied with his request. So, that's what I got the first Valentine's we were dating - not my own bouqet of half dozen roses - but a split bouqet. Very romantic.

Friday Judd surprised me with a dozen roses. It was very sweet. I'm glad that I have finally made it to the full dozen - I'm just hoping it wasn't originally a bouqet of 2 dozen and there is someone else out their holding the other half :)

Happy Valentine's Day

Hope you are spending it with someone you love!

The Bunny Boots

finally felt at home today.

We waited all morning, then the snow began after lunch and piled up fast. I'm pretty sure this is the most snow we have seen since we've been in the house. We built 2 snowmen, threw a hundred snowballs, hung out with neighbors, and even made a snow angel or two.

(it was 4:15 when I took these two pictures - and yes, she still has her pajamas on - her Christmas pajamas. Since I've been home with her we had our first all day pajama day - and it was fabulous)







Judd built Charlotte a "snow chair" and she loved it. So did all of the neighbor kids!





We are hoping my parents will make it tomorrow for their visit. They were looking forward to escaping 2 feet of snow to warmer weather - no such luck!

Sock Hands

Because when you are 2 it is WAY more interesting to wear socks on your hands instead of your feet.

Talking

Charlotte talks a lot. It is not that she has lots of different things to say, it's that she says the same thing over and over and over. I am beginning to understand what people meant when they rolled their eyes and replied, "Just wait til they start talking - you'll want them to shut up" when I mentioned that Charlotte wasn't talking much about a year ago.

Sure, when she says the same sentence - no lie - 25 times in a row - even after I repeat it back to her to indicate that I understood it - or answer her statement - it is REALLY annoying. But, I do love learning about what is going through that little brain of hers. I also like knowing what she wants or needs without having to do too much guessing.

But probably the BEST part about her speech is what happened a couple of nights ago. I was putting her to bed. We had just finished reading books, I turned out the light and she snuggled close. She had her arms around my neck and said, without prompting, "wuv you Mommy." I love you too, baby.