Happy Birthday Little AG!

Dear Little AG,

I can hardly believe that exactly 2 years ago today the doctor laid you in my arms for the first time.  I felt so bonded with you from carrying you for 42 weeks that I didn’t think seeing you could possibly make me love you any more than I already did, but I was wrong.  From the moment I saw your sweet little face I knew what it meant to live my life for someone else.  In some ways that day seems like it was 10 years ago, in other ways it feels like it was just yesterday.  I love watching you grow and learn, but I find myself savoring little moments that I know I will one day wish I could experience again.    You are growing up so quickly, and no one is more painfully aware of it than I am.

You have taught me so much without even realizing it.  I’ve learned to be patient and guide you, but to not always show you the way because it is so much more meaningful to discover it on your own.  I’ve learned that so much of who you are is nature and not nurture, and I am proud of your independent and purposeful spirit.  I’ve learned that you have your own timeline, and no matter what the books and doctors say, you will reach your own milestones when you are good and ready.  I’ve learned to let you take your time when exploring new things because I’ve already recognized an analytical side in you that is much less pronounced in myself.  Most of all, I’ve learned that there is no right or wrong way to be your mother, as long as I try my hardest to do what is best for you.

I marvel at how different life is now from when you were a newborn.  I used to cradle you in my arms or lay you against my chest and rock you for hours on end, usually falling asleep once you did.  Now, two years later, you rarely sit still long enough for me to rock you, and I cherish the moments when you seem to want to nuzzle into my neck, even if it’s only for a few moments.  Back then, you were only aware of us, needing to sleep, and wanting food, but now your world and curiosities have expanded beyond our little cocoon here at home, as they should.

At 2, your interests are far-reaching, though you still have a deep love of animals that began when you were 4 months old.  Your face lights up at the sight of anything on four legs, and you typically meow at cats and bark at dogs – as opposed to calling them by their names.  When you are quiet, I often worry until I find you in a corner of my bedroom, your arms wrapped tightly around one of the dogs in a full-on hug.  Thankfully they are both very patient and tolerate you well, even when you pull their tails or take food out of their bowls.

Tigger is still a staple in this house, and though we have nine different Tiggers you have grown most attached to one in partictular, so I’m fully aware that we’re in for it if he ever goes missing.  Just recently you’ve begun saying “Tih-gurrrr” instead of your previously favored “Tigg Tigg” or “Tiggie”, and everyone who hears you say it agrees that it’s the cutest thing they’ve ever heard.

You were obviously born with an inherent love of music because you instinctively move your body to anything from a drum beat to a ringing cell phone (not to mention songs by the Imagination Movers which incorporate full-blown original dance moves).  You’ve been hearing French since you were born, but the only word you’ve ever attempted was “Bonjour” – though I’m hoping that will change very soon.  Even though you can talk, you still choose to sign when you are hungry or thirsty, and now you have learned to do them with sweeping emphasis to indicate that you are STARVING or COMPLETELY PARCHED, which makes me giggle every time.  The way you smile and call for “Mommm-eeeee” makes me melt, and I will never grow tired of hearing you sing my name – not even at four, five, or six am.

We have come a long way in two years, kiddo.  You are the light of my life and the beat of my heart.

Happy Birthday, ma puce.  I love you.

Love,

Mommy

A Conversation with my Mother…

Me:     Hello?
Mom:  Hey, I was just checking on you – thought I might catch you in the airport.
Me:     Yep.  I’m in Hotlanta.
Mom:   Hot…?  Oh, Atlanta.
Me:     Yes.
Mom:   Did you get my twitter?
Me:     Oh, you sent out a tweet?  No – I must have missed it.  That’s the thing with twitter,
you have to…
Mom:   Well, I sent it a few days ago.  Maybe it didn’t work.
Me:     Hrm…ok well I’ll look and let you know.

——————-Five Minutes Later———————

Me:    Mom, I just saw it.
Mom:  Oh, you got it?!
Me:     Well, yes, in a sense.  You do realize that all 16 of your followers also saw it?
Mom:  Well, I don’t know any of them.
Me:     Right.  Well, I’m sure they were confused to see a tweet asking if “I was there” – especially since you called me “noon”.
Mom:  (Pause) Oh, ha ha.
Me:     And why did you send out all of these other tweets with random letters?
Mom:  I was testing it — you know, from my “iTouch”?
Me:     (resisting the urge to correct her with “iPod Touch”.)  Oh, ok.  Well, it works!
Mom:  At least I gave you something to laugh about today!
Me:     You’re pretty consistent with that mom — you do call my blog “Super Shocker Chicks” afterall.
Mom:  (Absentmindedly…)  Oh, yes.  How do you say it again?

Cozi up with your Family!

Remember my New Year’s resolution to get organized?  Well, so far, it’s an epic fail.  Does that mean I don’t want to spend my time pouring over organizers, tubs, bins, and other fun stuff to help me dream of being that way?  Heck no!  So with that, I introduce to you Cozi — a free website that can help you to keep track of all of those soccer games/dancing lessons/grocery lists/vacations/rare moments of sanity.  Oh, and to top it off, it can even organize your family photos for you.

Cozi is different because it interacts with your whole family — meaning in my case hubby could go in to our account and add all of his meetings and after-work things so that when I sync it up with my computer it is automatically added into Outlook or at the very least, is accessible from the web (because I use iCal – being that I’m a Mac girl and all.)  The same goes for him — it would help him to keep track of Doctors appointments for Little AG, playdates, etc so that he can know what we’re up to on any given day!

Did I mention that it’s free?  Free is good!

From now through February 4th, 2009, everyone who signs up and tries Cozi will also be entered to win a two-day home organization makeover with professional organizer, and incoming NAPO President (National Association of Professional Organizers), Laura Leist. In Laura’s two-day visit, she will makeover either the kitchen or home office in one lucky winners’ home; a service with a retail value of $5,000!  I’m already signed up and have my fingers crossed, but I thought you might be interested too, so go check it out!

Flying Solo

I was in NYC for a couple of days (um, for the record, they are NOT wearing shorts there like I have been doing here in Louisiana) and while I had a blast, I missed my family! Hubby said that Little AG stood by our bedroom door and called out for Mommy over and over again. Talk about break my heart! However, the time away for me was good in a sense – I have rarely spent more than 6 hours away from her in her in 2 years, and it was nice to have some time to regroup. Naturally, I didn’t sleep as well as I could have — there was no monitor to check, no sounds of “mommy” to listen for — it was peaceful and difficult all at once, if you know what I mean.

Last night as I was walking out of the terminal I spy this sweet little girl with fair skin, big blue eyes, and an adorable pink hat pulled down over her unruly blonde ringlets and my heart just swelled with love. The little girl was saying “Mommy, mommy!” over and over again. I walked over to her, pulled her in and gave her a huge hug and a kiss, affectionately ruffling her hair in the back. Thankfully, her father didn’t seem to mind.

I swear she’s grown taller since I was gone. Flying solo for a few days was great, but it’s good to be home.