A Tasty Treat

Gracie is an excellent self-soother, sucking her fingers -- or those belonging to others. Rosie just noticed and declared, "Baby is eating herself. Get your fingers out of there!"

International Non-Sequiter

Cami just asked me, "Is President Obama the president of all of America." When I asked for clarification, she explained that she wanted to know if he was president of South America and North America.

I replied that he was just in charge of the United States of America.

Her response, "Awww. I wish Pharaohs would come back."

So I had this baby. . . .

For weeks, going on months actually, I've been thinking about how it probably looks to the world like I'm going through post-partum depression. I haven't put a million photos up on Facebook or here. I haven't written up the minute details of what it's like being the mother of four. It must look like I'm overwhelmed or in denial about the existence of this little creature that entered my life on May 14th.

The realities are a bit different. I am absolutely in love. When I lay on the bed with Grace tucked in close, I love the feeling of her sweet, round tummy pressed up against mine. When I walk around our neighborhood & the eye doctor runs out to the sidewalk to see the baby or the pharmacy-tech asks to get a cuddle, I feel proud. In part because these moments remind me that we've become part of the community, but mostly because Grace is so easy to love. I've said it to Cami, to Graham, & to Rosie, but it applies to Gracie just as much: I love you for you.

And I'm awfully blessed to belong to her.

M'n'M moment

Rose talked me into buying her a package of Peanut M'n'Ms this evenings. She didn't have to work very hard for it, to be honest. I was happy to eat them. But I reminded her that she doesn't seem to like eating nuts. Still, they were the treat she wanted, so they were the treat that made it out of the store.

As we walked home, I carried her up on my shoulders. It's not an unusual arrangement. But I didn't expect a gentle rain of M'n'M bits falling around me. When I asked her about it, she emphatically explained, "I don't like nuts. Squirrels like nuts."

I think she was leaving them behind for the squirrels.