Little Person

When did she start to understand "not in your mouth"? To know where the stars were? To remember which name goes with which stuffy (animal friend) in her crib?? To respond to "can I have a cuddle?" with a sweet gesture of laying her head on my shoulder???

There are these moments in motherhood where it seems our children grow by leaps and bounds overnight. Its as if the transition becomes somehow obscured, but the arrival is palpable. Yesterday was one of the days. Amelia began to repeat my sign language, after I had nearly given up. She took steps on her own. She retrieved items that I asked her to find. She showed me what she wanted with that little finger. She shook her head, 'yes'.

She is so very tiny. And yet there is such a big spirit and person in there. And she is taking it all in right now. It astounds me. I wonder, what does she notice? What is she thinking??

Tonight, our cat, Phoebe, got a claw caught in the window screen. I was on my way upstairs to put Amelia to bed when I noticed. I went over to help, but Phoebe the Cat hissed. This is not like Phoebe. She was clearly upset. I stepped back, and drew in my breath. Amelia, I noticed, had a confused and serious look on her face. Finally, Phoebe freed herself, but not before a couple of growls and hisses at the window screen. As soon as she was free, Amelia let out a giddy noise. And she smiled. Did my child understand what was happening?? Is the world beginning to make sense on a whole new level?

I am enraptured with her right now. I stare into those eyes, and talk, talk, talk. We walk, and I point out things like chandeliers, kettles, banisters. What she doesn't get, doesn't matter. She likes the game. And she has upped the ante.

Please Help Another Mama

I received an e-mail today that I must share here. There is a couple (and many other families) that need our help. In 2006, I travelled to China with several families to, finally, meet and adopt their daughters. The experience was like being in the delivery room of many families at the same time. Beautiful.

One of these couples, both of whom are quite funny, sensitive, and truly good-natured, applied in the spring of 07 for the adoption of their second daughter. Now, their adoption is in jeapardy due to some legislative changes. Can you imagine?? Waiting over a year and a half and then having the "rules" change and the fear and heartache that you might not be able to continue with this adoption??

My friend sent me an e-mail with the following request, and I want to share it with you, too. There is more information on the website, as well.

"Please, please, please click on the link http://www.jcics.org/5WaysToHelp.htm and
1) sign the petition,
2) > e-mail JCICS (Joint Council on International Childrens' Services)> and,
3) most importantly, on October 14,15,16 - email your > Senators AND Representatives."

I am not knowledgable about what is happening. I only know that my heart breaks imagining what they are feeling right now. And they are such lovely parents. And their daughter awaits them. So, I hope that your heartstrings, too, are tugged.

Lastly, I was writing an e-mail to another friend who has a 5 month old. She is in the "valley" of new motherhood. She asked for some words of wisdom and/or support. I shared my thoughts, and ended with this sentiment.

"How do we handle all of this? We support each other." We need each other. No matter what our faith, our parenting philosophies, the origin of our children, etc., we are all in this together. And, I believe in the cosmic exchange of energy, or whatever you want to call it.

So, please help this dear couple.

My Bounty

Its 3:35pm on a cool Sunday.
Amelia is still in her pjs.
We have been on two walks.
I bought two awesome 'vintage' clutches at Boutique Fabulous.
There is delicious split pea soup in the slow-cooker. Almost done.
Salmon and brussel sprouts are cooking in the oven. Yum.
Cloves are boiling on the stove for aroma.
Home-made applesauce and pumpkin whole-wheat muffins are in the fridge from yesterday.
Joe is in Philadelphia doing what he loves - watching the Eagles game with his best men. He is happy.
He called to say how much he misses and adores his little family. That would be us.
My dear friend, Katie, from college is coming tomorrow with her two super-cute children.
Emmy, my childhood through now friend, is coming also tomorrow with the brilliant Angelo.
And, look at the delicious bowl of fresh veggies and fruits that is on my counter just waiting to be devoured:
My life in one word: Bountiful.

Ten Reasons

She wakes up like this... most of the time. She scrunches her nose and squints her eyes when she is really happy.

She tried to kiss the goat at the petting zoo today. Mouth to mouth.

She makes these whimpering noises that sound like a wounded animal when she sees I am about to comfort her.

She eats everything.

She is perplexed and curious on escalators.

She smiles at strangers, and loves attention.

She has deep, deep blue eyes.

She keeps hats on, but takes socks off. And pants.

She sits on her pink potty before her baths, even though she has no idea why.

Ten reasons why I love my sweet daughter.

The Dance

Amelia is sick. She went to bed with a runny nose, and its been down hill (or down pour) ever since. She had just started sleeping through the night, again. This past Tuesday. And, now, she is not napping or sleeping well. She wants to be held. Or maybe I just want to hold her, and comfort her. And she abliges me. Willingly.

And so we will begin, anew, our efforts to help her sleep through the night. Once she feels better. Or I do.

And so it goes. Two steps forward, one step back, forward again.

It doesn't matter. Today, I am enjoying the moments of holding, rocking, cuddling with her. Tomorrow, or Sunday, I will focus again on what she needs longer-term with regards to sleep. Or I need.

What matters is my tiny-bodied 10-month old who has watery eyes, a stuffy-nose, congestion, and still wants me to show her everything.

"Do you want some water, Amelia?"

"DAT!"

"Do you want a snack?"

"DAT!"

"Do you want to go outside?"

"DAAAAAAATTTTT!!!"

She doesn't know she is supposed to rest, to sleep, to get better. She wants to play. Sick or well, rested or tired, the beat goes on...

And so does the dance of motherhood.

It's Official!

No, I'm not pregnant again. We, Joe and I, are heading to Amsterdam on November 5th, on our 3rd wedding anniversary (yet 11th anniversary as a couple!), for a romantic get-away...

We are travelling sans Amelia. Gulp. She will be in the good care of Grandma Lynn and Nani Ga. Besides us, who could love her more than her Grandmas?

I am SO excited!!! 4 Days with my husband all to myself! 4 Days exploring a new country! Seeing Anne Frank's house! Delicious foreign restaurants!

Oh, to hold hands with Joe as we meander alongside the river, talking as we do about our daughter's delightful ways, and wondering what lies ahead for us as a family... dreaming.

Local & Handmade Goodies

Have you visited http://www.etsy.com/ yet? This site is truly delightful! It is filled with hand-crafted and/or vintage goodies. I nearly drool as I page through some of the beautifully unique crafts on this site. I have recently made a few purchases, too. I bought a birthday cupcake half-apron, a vintage "happy birthday" sign, and a beautiful little birdy on a swing for Amelia.

Here it is:
How sweet is that?? So, I've made a vow: I will only shop local or handmade for gifts I purchase this fall, and holiday season. I may even attempt to make my own gifts. I do make jewelry, the organic gem-stone, nothing fancy, variety. I've been thinking lately of taking a sewing class. Mind you, I was so horrendous at sewing in 7th grade home-economics that I nearly failed. It was the whole precision thing again. Perhaps that's why I married an engineer. He picks up where I leave off. Literally. Anyways, it can't be that hard, right? Sewing, that is. Hmmm....