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Thursday, November 16, 2006

Still a little girl

Almost as though she understood how monumental yesterday's event was in the journey of a mother with daughters, and almost as though she knew the pace of change sometimes steals my breath away, Maddie climbed up next to me on the couch last night, curled up inside my arms, and promptly fell asleep. It's not often anymore that I get to hold a sleeping child in my arms. Too quickly they move from vulnerable sleeping babies to blossoming young women.

Last night, I held my sleeping baby for a long time. I buried my face in her hair and held on tight until, eventually, her daddy carried her to bed.

She's still my little girl and I will savour these moments for as long as I can.

Tonight, as if to further prove she's not all grown up yet, she danced around the house - first in her "Angels in Training" shirt and then later, before her bath, buck naked. At one point, as she flashed her private parts to her daddy, she saw him flinch and asked "Daddy, are you overwhelmed with vaginas?" I covered my mouth and hid my face so she wouldn't see me giggling. (Yes, as he looks forward to three daughters in puberty, I think he's feeling a little overwhelmed with vaginas.)

Incidentally, she firmly believes her shirt says "Monkey in training." I haven't made any effort to correct her. Seems more appropriate somehow. (And in case you're wondering what's all over her shirt, it seems she was enjoying the play doh at day care today.)
Silly Maddie

12 comments:

Liz said...

My youngest still curls up on my lap even though she is 14, 3 inches taller than me and outweighs me by about 10 pounds. Earlier tonight, she tried to lie on top of me on the couch and all I could do was tell her about how she used to fit right on my belly (as I was gasping for breath!!).

My 17 year old thanked me for something and kissed me on the cheek the other day. She is not as affectionate towards me as her sister and that kiss meant the world to me.

They will always be our babies though, even when they become women.

Pamela said...

Your poor husband. We raised 3 daughters and the only thing that kept him going was the advice from other fathers who said.... "enjoy the peace and quiet, in a few years there's gonna be alot of young men hanging around your house."

They were right.

The very nice man said...

Now there's a picture for her wedding day!! Although . . you might opt not to use this post as the speech!!

Gina said...

Mr. P also loves to make that face!

Anonymous said...

Great post.

My daughter asked my husband last week, Dad look, do you think my boobs are growing yet? He said, "I dont KNOW! Ask your Mom!" ha! I love to see him squirm!

Linda said...

What a precious moment. I don't know the last time I held one of my sleeping children in my arms.

BarnGoddess_01 said...

they grow so fast!

cute face :) definately a wedding day photot

Kristen said...

What a great picture...and that was hilarious about the "overwhelmed" bit. I can't believe some of the hilarious things my kids come up with.

Anonymous said...

"Daddy are you overwhelmed with vaginas?"...Priceless ! They grow up so fast. Hold on to all those moments and enjoy them because all too soon those moments will be wonderful memories.

karla said...

"Daddy, are you overwhelmed with vaginas?"

oh my goodness that has to be the funniest thing I have heard in forever!

Anonymous said...

Oh.. that is just too cute! :-)

joyce said...

I'm not sure why, but you've got me crying again. I think I'm just so happy to get a glimpse into your family- normal, funny, healthy. Reminds me of my nephew being a youngster and sharing the bathroom with another family member. "you have a very nice penis" is the compliment that my well mannered nephew conjured up...