Tales of Li'l Foot

Well, it’s been a long road this month. But I did it. There were nights I wanted to throw in the towel. Most of my posts have been written at night, after dinner, after the bed time routine, after The Biggest Loser, after…after…after. Had this month not been absolutely crazy at work I might’ve been able to write something during lunch, but that wasn’t the case at all. Last year was so easy. Write all about my snails. This year I didn’t want to easy way out. I didn’t exactly write thought provoking posts, but I wrote. And I’m happy I stuck to it. I might take the next MONTH off from writing at all, but by golly, I wrote this entire month of November and that’s an accomplishment when you have a child and a husband and a job and a commute and…and…and, you get the point.

So it’s been fun. And I thought I’d leave you with some more cute! This morning walking into school another parents had just finished dropping off her child and was walking down the walkway towatrd us. Li’l Foot was going on and on about beating me to the door and I was telling her, oh noooooo you won’t, I’mmmmmmmmm gonna get there first. The parent stopped me and said, “Everyday I see your daughter and she is just the cutest!” I politely said, “awwww, thank you” and continued up the walkway. I thought it was really nice of her to say. So many times we don’t say things like that to random strangers but she took the time to do so in this case. It made me smile. And so does this…

Dear Li’l Foot,

As I sit here and write this post, you are upstairs, in your bed, falling asleep. I am so proud of you this month. (And every month) But especially this month because you and I have conquered this bedtime hurdle. With what I thought would be such a tough transition for both of us, turned out to only be a tough transition for me. Actually I shouldn’t say that. I’ve been ok with it. I’ve sought out other times with which to snuggle and cuddle with you and it’s been working out. Do I miss you falling asleep in the crux of my arm every night? Yes, absolutely! But I love that you are ok with the routine even more. That also scares me, because it just goes to show what a big girl you are and how independent you strive to be.

You have to go potty? You quickly exclaim you can do it by yourself and you need “proviceeee” (privacy).

You need to get dressed? You are all about putting your underwear, your clothes, your socks, your shoes on all by yourself, even if they are inside out backwards and on the wrong feet. You also want to pick out your own clothes each day, outfits that ummmm, don’t match. And I have to draw the line sometimes, but usually I will let you where what you want because you need that. You need to feel like you did it yourself. But for the love child, must you be such a diva about it? (Sorry, tantrum)

You want something to eat or drink? You don’t want our help to get it out of the fridge, you’d rather do it yourself.

You need to get in a chair or your high chair? You are all about climbing up yourself.

Everyday it’s something new. Everyday it’s something exciting. And these days I see the wonderment in your eyes. The excitement in your voice. The emotion in everything you do. You make me so proud to be YOUR mom. I know little kids who have been stingy with their hugs and kisses, but it makes me really happy when I come home from a long day of work, you’re waiting at the front window for me to pull in the driveway and you greet me at the door with open arms and big kiss. You ask me for hugs and kisses. And on the nights you aren’t at the door to greet me, you are playing hide and seek by hiding on the couch under a blanket calling out from under it for me to find you!!! I play the game and ask daddy if he forgot you at school or if he’s seen you at all. And little fits of giggling erupt from under the blanket. You think it is the best thing that I seemingly can’t find you!

And each night as part of our bedtime routine now, I tuck one of your special stuffed animals or botties under my arm so it sticks out behind me and then I ask you where it went. You try and tell me it’s behind my back so I spin around and around in circles looking for it. And then I look in the closet and behind the curtains and under the bed and then I turn my back to you and look at you from upside down between my legs and you erupt in hysterical laughter unable to control yourself because you think mommy is being so silly. It is such a special feeling to be your mommy. YOU make me feel special and loved. And don’t worry, I know you still love me when I tell you “no” and you say you want daddy! At that particular moment I want daddy for you too! And for me! What would we do without him?

So Li’l Foot, thank you! For being such a good kid despite the tantrums every now and then, you are the bestest kid ever!!!

I love you!

~ Momma