A long day...

But not really a bad one. Just one in which I don't get to spend much time with Gracie. I dropped her off at daycare this morning at 7:30 - it's now almost 8:00 PM and I'm still at work. So I won't get to see her tonight unless I creep into her room to watch her sleep.

She did wake up in a good mood this morning. Helped along I'm sure, by me turning on "The Wiggles" without her having to ask. She happily watched it as I peeled off her sleeper and then gave a meager protest (bladder was full!) as I removed her briefly from the TV in order to put her on the potty. Once that nonsense was over, she sat happily but definitely focused on the TV screen as I manipulated her body into her jeans, t-shirt, shoes and socks. We had a momentary struggle over the mittens she's taken to wearing. I think they're rather a novelty item but she seems to love them. She suffered their removal with only a small protest and then moved on to other concerns.

I left her with Miss Frances happily watching the cat - Tobey. No other kids were at daycare yet so she had Frances to herself which, in Gracie's book, is always a good thing.

When I talked to her Daddy this afternoon after he had picked her up, he said that she hadn't napped today. We've been noticing over the past month or so that she's more and more reluctant to go down for an afternoon nap. I'm wondering if she's really breaking herself of it but I worry about her getting enough sleep. And, truthfully, her afternoon nap has been an enjoyable haven of quiet for me this last year. It's my one-two hour "free play" period where I can do what I want for a little while.

Anyway, I'm looking forward to getting home tonight and watching her sleep for a bit. She's still in her crib and it's a visual reminder of the tiny baby she was even as I'm watching the little girl she's become. All these moments are permanently imprinted on my heart even if they're not written down. However, it might be of interest to her someday... those first days when she was so tiny that her pinky fingernail was about the size of a head of a pin or the ridiculous face she made with that first spoonful of sweet potatoes to having a meltdown over not being carried around like she's likely to do now. Maybe one day she'll want to know all this and I will have it written down somewhere (and all I'll have to do is to find it!)

Oh! I almost forgot. She's learned to negotiate! (My little manipulator!) She even does it with the right inflection in her voice. So, we'll sit down at night and unwind and she'll ask for a book. I'll say "no... the books are closed for today" and she'll say... "Just one book - one!" Or, if it's bedtime, she'll say..."5 more minutes!" It cracks me up even if I do get weary of hearing it over and over. She's just so darn funny. If you want the purest form of comedy - just try conversing with a 2 year old. You'll be in stitches in no time.

Ha! I knew this would be payback someday!

So, my darling daughter and I were watching TV Sunday night and she happened to catch a glimpse of a Christmas Tree on TV. She pointed to it and excitedly exclaimed, "Christmas Tree!"

Being the good parent and seeing a potential teaching moment, I responded, "yes, that's a Christmas Tree. Do you remember Christmas from last year?" She was silent. So I prompted her with, "Who brings you Christmas presents each year?" Obviously, I wasn't specific enough because she was quiet for a moment and then responded happily... "AUNT KARI!"

Ahhh... this gave me warm feelings of joy because I remember my nieces at this age - looking forward to my visits because they knew I didn't come over without something for them. My sister bawled me out for it and told me to stop because I was "spoiling them." Hmmmm... do you think she's guilty of doing the same thing???

Either way, it was funny. Sheesh! Who knew the entertainment value of a young child before having one yourself?

To be a mom is to be humbled...

So a quick, but funny Gracie story. Last night, Luis and I got a baby sitter so that we could have a rare night out without our darling daughter. Since it doesn't happen often we're always a bit concerned that she might experience some separation anxiety when we're away. We shouldn't have been so worried, apparently.

I decided to tell Gracie that we were going out and that she'd have a babysitter that night. Gracie was actually quite thrilled when I told her that Jacqui was coming and danced and bounced around the living room as soon as Jacqui rang the bell. We reacquainted Jacqui with the house and I left Gracie with the admonishment to use her "listening ears" and to be good for Jacqui. Apparently, they had a wonderful time which was great and we returned home to find a quiet house - Gracie long since asleep and Jacqui quietly working on homework. I thought to myself... wow! See, that wasn't so hard. Maybe we should do this more often?

Or, errrr... maybe not? Upon waking this morning, my darling daughter was downright disappointed to realize that it was just me coming to get her and she quickly demanded Jaqui's return. When I couldn't immediately produce her, she was pretty unhappy. So much for separation anxiety!

I guess I should be happy that she's not worried about our return - it certainly makes leaving that much easier. However, the mom in me can't help but be disappointed that we're not missed more. I suppose I should get used to it though... (sigh)

Now what?

Okay, so I started this because I felt like the entire technology world was passing me by. Also, because I feel more than just a little bit guilty that the dozens or so beautiful journals I've been given over the years have gone to complete and utter waste.

But I also wanted to do this because I have mom guilt over the lack of details I have for Gracie. Fun tidbits she's done or told me that I can never remember to put into her still blank baby book. Maybe - just maybe this will assuage some of that guilt.

For today, I will say that it was a fairly ordinary day. Gracie was in a pretty good mood this morning when I dropped her at daycare. This makes leaving her just a little bit easier in the AM which is a good thing.

Oh, and there's hope that she's learning just a smidge of manners after all this time. Last night at dinner, when she was done, she actually asked to be excused without me prompting her. Of course, her good humor came at the price of one shortbread cookie which I was still wiping from her lips when she posed the question. But I guess I need to learn to be grateful for the small things. Especially when, at 2.5 years, she's only willing to give on so much.

But nothing gives Luis and I more entertainment and sheer love than our daughter - and in the end, I guess that's what counts the most.