Easter Day

Katrina and Great Nana


Here's Katrina being the Easter "Ham"

We had a fun day yesterday. Daddy was sick, but Katie and I went to church and then got together with Grandma and Grandpa, Great aunt Peggy, Josh and Great Nana. We went out to a restaurant this year for an Easter dinner, which was a first. It was acutally quite relaxing and stress-free. (no cooking and no dishes, no crowding in the kitchen!) Being the only child, Katie certainly did NOT lack for attention and ate it all up. She is NOT shy when around people she knows!!

more fun with Cheerios

So, Katie was eating her breakfast and she pointed at the box of Cheerios. I said, "You HAVE Cheerios on your tray." She then looked at me and placed 3 Cheerios on her head.

Amazing Bond

I catch myself in utter amazement when I'm watching Katrina. Today, though, it was different. I wonder if all mothers feel it during the beginning toddler years. Its a separateness. I look at her and realize she is not me. She is her own person. More and More she wants to run away and play 'catch me'. and she wants to use her fork by herself. She needs to try to put her socks on before she'll let me help her. We're no longer as much one identity.

She crawls up on that couch. looks at me across the room. raises her arms in absolute delight! She DID IT! She is beaming! She knows she is separate and her little body is growing and can accomplish these big feats. New challenges everyday.

Our relationship now is like her favorite game of peek a boo. I'm there, but I'm not.

I am sooo much looking ahead for all that is to come. And I'm not really grieving for anything that is gone.

I am marveling as I realize my BOND with my daughter. I am in COMPLETE AWE. Perhaps I never believed we would ever feel attached in any physical way. But, as I so strangely feel this space between us now, its as if we once were.

Toddling

I know It looks like she's just sleeping. But, really, She's GROWING!! And ... she's dreaming about all the hard playing she's going to do tomorrow!

A-toddling she is. There is NO denying. She has sprouted a few inches seemingly overnight. Her pants and jammies suddenly are too short and she's climbing up on the couch like its her job! If she ONLY knew she can't FLY off!! She is really earning her sleep these days. She just doesn't stop! She motors around sooo fast. Never walking, but pattering to her self-choreographed dance and the music in her head. She is just a BALL OF ENERGY!! Full of hugs and kisses and giggles and squeels. She is growing up so fast! I JUST LOVE IT and HER SOOO MUCH!