These are the Days...to Remember (N.M.)

We woke up earlier than usual. Your wet rump securing itself in my neck and face in your rooting. I squinted for the clock 4:27am and began the, "do I get up and change you (knowing well you wouldn't go back to sleep) or give you five and see if you go back to sleep?" You went back to sleep and I lay there doubt overshadowing my indecisivness. Dampness versus sleep keeping me wide awake. You joined me with a, "weaEEt." Yes. Wet. I whispered, "wet" into your ear as I picked you up and you repeated it continuously until we laid on your table and changed. You laid wonderfully still as I searched in the dark for your warmest pajamas.

We read books, romped on the bed with the cats, and played until you handed me the ergo saying, "babee, babee," and I put you back to sleep. All the animals curled around us cuddling. Daddy popped his head in the door and I could do was motion to him because I didn't want to wake you.

We made buckwheat pancakes with bananas and strawberries and had yogert and peanut butter for syrup. I asked if you wanted to go to gymnastics class with all the boys and girls and you said, "yeaSSSSS! caAAr. caaAAAr. CaaaAAAr! Car. Exactly.

You love to ride in the car now and ask for your cd to be played. You tell me which songs you want to hear, "Bbua" = Wheels on the Bus. You know all the hand motions and practice while we drive. One of my faves is when you swing your arm behind you and say, "BAac," during the driver on the bus says, "Move on Back!" Someday maybe when you're ten I'll manage a video of it. You tell me which song you want repeated and which song you want skipped. Sometimes you don't want to get out of the car because you tell me, "sssSiee" Sing. You want to Sing. All the time.

We had nap and went to whole foods. You tell me when you are ready for nap and bed. You actually enjoy them. No fuss. Of course they still occur with Mamma...! We walked to the playground with Hero. We came home with Mom on a skateboard, holding you, and walking Hero. You're starting to catch wind of my skateboarding abilities not exactly how Dadda does it! A reminder of how nice these times are before you will go off into your sports world with Daddy! We baked and made dinner. You mashed the potatoes, and stole beans, and stuck to my hip. We played with your neighborhood buddies and walked Hero and said goodnight to the moon. You stood on your stool at the sink waiting for water for your toothbrush as I drew the bubble bath. You ran like lightening as I striped you on the run and peek a booed between the bathroom-bedroom door until you climbed a diaper leg over the tub asking to enter. We played bubbles and had giggle fits over catch a kiss. You laughed so hard you made a mudpie and we said goodbye to our bubbles and made another bath and laughed more playing cheek to cheek in the mirror. It's these incredible moments that I have no pictures of, no movies, just fantastic moments that I pray are engrained into your soul somewhere down deep so if you ever wonder about home or love or family you'll feel something-a kindling from the zillions of small special moments we share everyday that make up many days, years, and hopefully a God loving baby-boy-man.

We wrestle into pajamas, you ask for lotion rubs and socks, and shake your head for nose kisses and reach your arms up for me. I hover over you on the too small changing table and you give me squeeze tights and repeated kisses. You ask for the ice cream felt I toys and laugh as I tease you that it is not to put in your mouth. You race to the bed and climb up for romp and pick up, "DUCK ON A BIKE," "Little Blue Truck," "Crunch Munch," and ask to the Hickory Dickory Dock Clock song and then shut the books and turn to me. You put the books away and shut off the bedroom light with a few more giggles. We pray, whisper loves, and give kisses and say Goodnight. I lay beside you sleeping and you curl into me as close as you can. Tomorrow, we'll do it all again because, "These are the Days...to Remember." Natalie Merchant