Happy Mother's Day

In anticipation of my first Mother’s Day, I’m going to give you a few things I love about being Emily’s mom. I don’t think any flowers or chocolate or breakfast in bed could top these things:

· I love how Emily fits in my arms. The curve of her head matches the shape of my hand, and she’s just the right size to snuggle in my arms or against my chest. It sounds weird to say, but she and I just fit!
· I love that she flaps her arms and smiles at me when I walk in the room, whether I’ve been gone for 2 seconds or the whole day. Someday, she’ll be able to run over and hug me, but I love that she can already express that emotion to me without mobility.
· I love the smell of her head, and fussing with her wispy, beautiful hair.
· I love watching her be comforted in the arms of her dad, whether it’s after her immunization shots or when I just don’t have the strength to hold her any more.
· I love when she naps for more than an hour!!
· I love watching her experience something new. Today, she and I sat on a quilt in the shade of the maple tree in our backyard, and she just looked around, watching the blossoms fall, listening to birds (and I-80), and feeling the grass around her. The outside world is really a new place to her, and it’s so cool to see her discover it.
· I love nursing Emily, and I’ll be really sorry when she outgrows it (I suppose the more teeth she gets, the more I’ll be ready to let it go!). I feel so good that I can give her exactly what her little body needs, and that she is so comforted by it at the same time. It also makes me feel like she’s still my little baby, even though she’s looking more and more like a little girl every day.
· I love when she “kisses” my cheek, and I can see her bright, beautiful, clear blue eyes looking right at me. Then I get to wipe the slime off my face, and see her smiling at me. And pull the hairs out of her hands that she's ripped from my head (hey, sometimes she gets hold of my ear, and that's even more painful!)

There are so many special children in my life, and I know that I really do love them. But, Emily is just the best. It’s a whole new level, just for her!