To the moon

May 07

This morning, Maren and I went in to Greta’s room together when we heard her wake up.  We sang happy birthday to her and filled her room with chatter, as we do most mornings.  As a tactic to get Maren to change out of the Christmas dress she had chosen to wear today, I asked her if she would like to match clothes with Greta.  While Maren and I were discussing wardrobe and weather appropriateness, Greta went back to the little space between her crib and the wall.  She hid back there for twenty seconds, peeking through the bars and watching us.  Then, she stepped to the side and stuck her head around the corner, screamed, and laughed hysterically.  I noticed and laughed, and said, “Peekaboo Greta!”  She retreated back to her hiding spot, waited, and then did it again.  Maren, Greta, and I all found this to be a spectacular game to start the day today.  My baby is not a baby, she is a toddler.

She laughs easily and often.  No one, though, can get her going like Maren can.

She sleeps from 6:30 pm to 7:30 am.  (I am so lucky.)

She loves baths and water in general.  She loves baby dolls.  Her greatest loves are her blankie and paci.

She barely resembles her baby picture; she was so fat then, and now she is lean except for her big round belly.

She runs and walks with authority, purpose, and confidence.

She knows her name.

She babble-talks constantly.  Sometimes it is a quiet talk as if she is telling a story.  Sometimes she yells while pointing and stomping as if she is issuing directives.  If you ask her questions it sounds like she is making appropriate (though unintelligible) responses.

She snuggles.  She cuddles in and rests her head on my shoulder.  I melt.

She shrieks and has a tantrum if I don’t read her a book when she brings it to me.

She is happiest when there is a crowd to watch.  I joke that she should have been a septuplet. She hates being left alone and prefers to be held.

She spontaneously dances enthusiastically whenever she hears music of any type.

I love her to the moon and back.

14 comments

  1. Nancy Leckie /

    This. Is. LIFE/LOVE/JOY.
    Thank you for sharing!

  2. Happy Birthday to Greta! Always enjoy your posts.

  3. Really enjoying your posts and your honesty about your journey!

  4. ohiofishergirl /

    Happy, happy birthday to Greta! I made birthday wishes for her yesterday morning and told Erica that it’s easy for me to remember Greta’s birthday— May 7th was my due date with Erica! Give both of your beautiful girls hugs. Of course, I’m sending a big hug for you too 🙂 ! xoxo Lauri

  5. Bonniebj /

    Loved seeing you yesterday as well as the girls & mom. You looked radiant and glowing-oh my, the Lord is shining through you on this most specific journey. Your protective “bubble” is overflowing with grace and the prayers of your warriors. Have yet another great day Jen…

  6. genora /

    Jen, Thank you for your character,your integrity,your grace,your hope,your strength and your faith. But most of all I thank you for your love,and you being you. May GOD continue to keep you in his arms,now and always.

  7. Meggie /

    Happy birthday, g! xo

  8. Sue Nitz /

    Good morning Jen! You are truly blessed and your children are blessed to have you for a mom. They are blessed also because you take the time to allow these wonderful opportunities to be happy and to love! Being a mom has been the greatest gift and the most important role I have ever been given. When your kids get older they may not remember all these little, wonderful things you do with and for them everyday, but they will always feel the love and happiness that they felt. You do this very well!

  9. Jen. A great post as always. I meant to send this comment yesterday but here is what my daily calendar said for Monday, May 7. “The essence of living is discovering. Indeed, it is the joy of discovery that makes life worth the effort.” ~ Vijay Krishna
    Having kids means that we discover life every single day with every single thing they do. Cotinuing to pray for you and your family.

  10. Rach /

    I think your Greta and my Bethany would like each other 🙂
    and I LOVE that phrase “I love you to the moon and back”. However, my 6-year-old loves to one-up me and say, “I love you to Pluto and back!” I guess she wins 🙂

  11. Happy You Gave Birth Today! Babies are the blessing that keep on giving!

  12. Happy birthday Greta! We share the same birthday. 🙂

  13. Oh to go back in time 🙂 Thank You for sharing 🙂

  14. Erica Snipes /

    A belated thanks for this post, and a happy birthday to Greta! Before bed at night, my 3 year old twins and I do the “love you to the ______ and back” game, and if I somehow forget, my little girl is quick to remind me, “no mommy, you have to say to the moon and I have to say and back!” So cute! Sending love, care, prayer, always, to you and yours.