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Wednesday, March 3, 2010

Eleven Tiny Moments...

It was a Tuesday evening. I put my bowl of ice cream down on the ottoman to throw a pillow at the cat clawing his way to China through our couch. When I turned around, Tori had the spoon in her mouth, chocolate dripping down her chin and delight shining in her eyes. I had all the proof I ever needed that she was my daughter...

It was a Saturday night. I was sobbing silently, in too much pain to keep my misery to myself any longer. Down the hall, Tori howled heartbrokenly from her crib, not yet ready to face the night alone. Wiping my eyes, I hurried to her side and swooped her up into my arms, squeezing her tight. She burrowed into my shoulder and together, we snuffled and sniffed until our tears died on our cheeks. I rocked and rocked and rocked until her breathing slowed and her snuffles gave way to soft snores, taking comfort in her animal closeness…

It was a Monday morning. I was running late, taking frantic sips of precious caffeine while shredding chicken for the dog, stirring oatmeal for Tori and slapping food into bowls for the cats. Thinking it was strangely quiet, I turned just in time to see her pull the last items from our overflowing junk drawer on to the already messy floor. I wanted to scream in frustration, but seeing her grin, could only smile in return…

It was a Sunday night. Tori sat perched in her daddy's arms as he took her on her nite nite tour. "Say nite-nite mommy," Brian said. Grinning, she waved her little hand at me and said, "ni-ni!" My heart swelled with pride...

It was a Saturday afternoon. I was burrowed under a blanket on our big blue recliner, a snoozing Tori nestled in the crook of my elbow. I wiggled my fingers, trying to ease the discomfort of my slowly numbing digits without waking her up. Suddenly, she stirred. Half opening her eyes, she gave me a sleepy smile and reached out to touch my face before returning to dreamland. Pain be damned, there was no way I was moving from that chair…

It was a Thursday evening. Cookie Monster's image filled my computer screen. As he stuffed his mouth full of apple cores, Tori started laughing her daddy's giant hee haw of a laugh. I almost suffered death by laughter...

It was a Friday night. I was wrestling with a screaming Tori, trying to pin her flailing body down with one arm while cramming her foot into her pajamas with the other.  I looked on helplessly as her face turned purple with rage, having no idea how to break the stalemate. Then Brian walked up and zerberted her tummy, surprising laughter out of her. The spell was broken...

It was a Monday evening.  Grandma was on the phone, imploring Tori to babble to her through the speaker. She was oblivious, busily smacking two blocks together instead. One dropped to the floor and she bent down to pick it up without hanging on to anything. Brian and I looked at each other and said, "did she really just do that?" She did...

It was a Sunday morning. Tori climbed up one stair. Then another. And another until she reached the top, giggling all the way. She turned and grinned victoriously at a slightly horrified me, so proud of her new skill...

It was a snowy Tuesday morning. Hauling Tori in her car seat, I walked out into the frigid morning air. I shivered, but Tori shrieked with laughter, loving the feeling of the cold on her skin. Seeing her joy, I  paused to make a tiny snowball, giving it to Tori to feel. Her delighted smile was all it took to make me stop cursing the February weather...

It was a Thursday night. Tori was bundled up in her towel, still damp from the bath. As I tried to dry her hair, she snatched it away from me with a little Tori roar. I thought a temper tantrum was unavoidable, but instead, she put the towel to her face, then pulled it away, grinning. Suddenly understanding, I hollered "peekaboo!" She giggled and did it again and again and again...

Eleven tiny moments from yet another month filled with wonder, frustration and more joy than one human heart should be able to hold. Happy Eleven Month Birthday, little one...

12 comments:

  1. I love this post. I can't wait for these moments myself. My favorite is "It was Friday night."

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  2. How amazingly sweet. My heart swelled with the sweet moments. I can't wait to have moments like this of my own :)

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  3. I absolutely love this...every single moment is just pure bliss with little ones!!

    ~melody~

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  4. This brought tears to my eyes, it's so sweet.

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  5. This was so sweet - all these moments you relived for us. I loved it.

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  6. Aww what a nice post! I love those tiny moments!!

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  7. What a sweet post! Happy Eleven Month Birthday to your little one!

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  8. Beautiful! Thank you for sharing. Happy eleven months!!

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  9. I love this post! Love it! What a creative way to share her moments...Thank you! Happy 11!

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  10. I love this entry. I wish I had the power to express moments that you do.

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