I'll Always Come

I’m tired and you’re tired.  It’s naptime but sometimes you just won’t let yourself give in.  You want to keep going.  (Wonder who you get that from?).  I start your music, pull the chain to the overhead light so that you won’t be able to play “Lights on!  Lights off!” in your crib (which would certainly prevent you from napping).  I set you down in your bed and give you Baby to hold.  All your blankies are arranged just so for the perfect nest.  I whisper, “It’s time for nigh-nigh.  You and Baby go nigh-nigh together.”  Though you're only 14 months old, you know exactly what I’m saying.  But you protest.  You start whining and crying, giving me your most pathetic and convincing sad face, lips puffed out and the edges curling down.  You reach your arms up and wrap them tightly around my neck, your soft, cool cheeks pressing against mine.  I give you a hug and rub your back.  Shhhh.  It’s time for nigh-nigh, Angel.

You want up.  You want out.  You want me.  You’re so flipping tired, though.  And so am I.

I leave you alone and close the door.  You escalate your crying.  Fighting.  Fighting.  Not wanting to let yourself surrender and receive needed rest.  Usually, you only cry for a few minutes and then you fall fast asleep.  But sometimes, Angel, you don’t.  

After 15 minutes, you know I will come.

I will always be there, Baby Girl.  That is a promise I can stake my life on.

When you fall down and get an owie, I will come and pick you up and make everything better again.  When the neighborhood cats get too close for comfort and you want to be rescued, I will come.  When I drop you off at childcare at church or the gym, you can trust that I will always come back, Sweetheart.

When you wake up, I will be there.

When you venture off on your own at the playground, I will be watching brave little you.  I’ll be there.  When you need help on the monkey bars.  When you want Mommy to watch you do this or that.  I will always be there, Whitney.  I’ll cheer for you every time.  That’s a promise.

On your first day of school, I’ll be there.  When you get teased at school.  When you want to wear a dress every day.  When you detest fashion altogether.  When you get a bad grade.  When you ace a test.  When you mess up big time.  When you get it all right.  When you’re so excited about science and you just want to gush all about what you learned at school today with me.  I’ll be there.

When you have questions about why the sky is blue, where babies come from, and questions about your faith.  I will answer your questions.   You can always come to me.  I will always be there.   You can ask me anything.  And you can trust me.

When you have your first crush.  I will be there.  When you’re in college and your boyfriend breaks your heart.  When you feel lost, alone, and scared.  I will come.  When you call me having forgotten how to make this or that for dinner, I’ll answer your call.  I’ll come make it with you, if you want.

When you get married, I’ll be there.  When you are in labor with your first baby, I will come if you want me to be there, Sweetheart.  I’ve been there.  I’ll be there for you.  When you’re trying to figure out the whole breastfeeding thing and you just want to throw in the towel.  Wait just a sec—I’ll be there for you and help you succeed.  When you are emotionally fragile post-partum and every little thing makes you want to cry—I’ll be there for you, Angel.  I’ll cry with you.  I’ve been there, too.  When you just want to call someone and celebrate your little one’s milestones (sitting up, first foods, first words).  Call me, Angel.  I’ll be there.  I’ll celebrate your baby and I’ll celebrate you as a wonderful Mama. 

When the baby won’t stop crying and you need a break.  I’ll come, Sweetheart.  Go get a pedicure.  I’ll give that grandbaby all my lovin’ while you go take care of you.

When life’s a peach and everything’s going great.  When you’re unsure of it all and you can’t find your way.  When you need help deciding where to put the new sofa.  Or you need help organizing the pantry.  Or when you’re broke and need to borrow our sofa.  And you need a free meal.  I’ll always be here for you, Whitney.  Always.

I love you with every fiber of my being.  I’ll always come.  And I’ll always be there.  Tonight.  Tomorrow.  The day after that.  And always.

Whitney Rose: 14 Months Old

Today you are 14 months old, Whit! 

Busy.

Happy Girl!

One of my favorite things to do is peak in on you when you're asleep.  I just stare at quiet, still little you and can't help but marvel at how amazing you are.

For Grandpa

Love

After a recent trip to Apple Hill

Love how it curls in the back after a bath

Wearing one of Daddy's old tees

You are well on your way to walking, sweet girl.  You took your first step on September 21st.  A week later, you were taking two steps.  The week after that, you were taking 2-5 steps at a time.  And today, you got really brave and started walking even further--you were walking from the fridge to the sink and back to the fridge, then from the closet in our bedroom to me about 8 or so feet away.  Repeatedly.  With confidence.  And both Daddy and I were home to witness it!  You became so giggly each time afterwards, like you knew what a big deal this is.  We were cheering you on so energetically, Angel.  We were so stinkin' proud of you, it was as though you got your first base-hit in softball or something.  Made Mama start to cry, even! 

 

Other milestones:

 

I weaned you off of breastfeeding on your birthday.  It was a little rough the first few days, but within six days, you were completely on the sippy cup (goat's milk and remaining frozen breastmilk).  I kept the early morning nursing session more because I wasn't ready for you to stop (plus, you still like to nurse).  By 13 months old, you were completely done nursing.  Now you only nurse on occasion when you're fussy and won't take naps.  Soothes you right to sleep within moments.  I love that bond, Baby Girl.

 

You know where your teeth and your nose are.

 

I taught you how to flip the light on/off in your room (cuz you can reach it from your crib).  Why did I DO THAT???  Because now you're obsessed with it.  If we forget to pull the chain on your fan so that it won't turn the light on, we often find you playing in your crib with the light on when you're supposed to be taking a nap.  Huge mommy fail.  ;)

 

You can stack blocks on the pegs and sort shapes with decent accuracy.

 

You can say and wave bye-bye.

 

You know what sound a cow makes: "Mmmm" 

a pig: (your cute snort sound) 

and a snake: "Sssss"

 

You can say: "Dah" (dog)

"Up-up-up"

"All done" or "All gone" with the hand gesture (that's the only sign we taught you)

"Mama" and "Dada"

"Kee" (kitty cat)

"Mi-mi" (milk)

"Mum-mum" (any kind of food)

"Oh-oh!" (Uh-oh!)

"Dah" or "Bebe" (doll or baby)

 

You love to give us kisses on the lips.  I love how you lean in and say, "Mmmmm!" for each smooch.  You have also started to be a little more affectionate (occasional and oh-so-special very tight hugs around the neck). 

 

Grandma Bateman taught you how to blow kisses last week (without me knowing that she had taught you) and so when I first saw you do it, I was quite surprised, thinking, How'd you figure THAT out?!  The day after Grandma left, you had blown kisses and waved bye-bye to the neighborhood kitty and then later the same day, you blew me a kiss goodnight as Daddy was carrying you to bed.  That's how quickly you are picking up new skills, Sweetheart.  We don't need to show you twice!

 

You like to crawl up in Mama's lap when I'm sitting Indian-style on the floor so that we can read books together.  You have a few favorite books these days.  There is a "Mary Had A Little Lamb" book and a "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star" book that I sing to you---you really like those.  In fact, when I catch you reading either of those out loud by yourself, you sorta sing them and sway back and forth.  You totally get it, Sweetie.  You still love reading "Brown Bear" but there are others now--any of your flip books where you can lift the flaps on each page.  You love those.  One of those books has a page which says, "Open a mouth, find"...and then you open the flap which is the alligator's mouth and it's his teeth.  You always point to your own teeth at that part of the story, and you look at me for approval and smile.  So awesome!  Smart girl!  You also like the "Shhh" book.  You know exactly what that book is about when you pick it up, saying "Shhh" :)

 

You also recently started to dance a little bit.  Like when your musical toys are playing.  You feel it a little.  Gets you bouncing slightly.  In an understated, hope-nobody's-looking sort of way.  You are SO my daughter.

 

You have officially chosen a favorite baby doll and you absolutely adore her.  You give her tight hugs and smother her with smacking kisses.  We take Baby almost everywhere.  Sometimes when you are sleeping in your crib, you still have her in an embrace.  Seems that you are a natural mama!

 

We love you so incredibly much, Whitney. 

 

Sharing each day with you is pure delight. 

 

You blow us away.  Over and over again.