Snuggles

Charlotte,

I don't ever want to forget this morning.  James had just eaten and gone back to sleep so I was free to spend as much time getting you up as I wanted to.  So when I got upstairs I opened the curtains and then I crawled in bed with you.  Sometimes I do this but I never get under the covers, this morning I even got under the covers and you were beside yourself with happiness.

We spent the next thirty minutes snuggling in your bed.  We sang songs and talked and gave hugs and kisses.  When my tummy started growling I asked if you wanted to go downstairs for breakfast but you kept saying that you wanted more snuggles.  I hope I never forget the way you laid with your head on my shoulder and curled in to me.  The sweet hugs and precious little girl smell.  The way you never wanted to get out of that bed and stop snuggling with your Momma.

I know this transition has been hard for you.  Honestly,  it's been hard for me also.  We have spent so much of the last two years together that it's sort of bittersweet to have to share you with your Daddy and grandparents.  It broke my heart to not be able to pick you up and you just kept asking me.  But the first time you asked I told you I had a boo-boo on my belly and so every time after that you asked if my boo-boo was better.  And then finally this past Sunday you asked and I felt good enough that I bent down and picked you up.  And you know what you said as you hugged my neck so tight? "Your boo-boo on your belly is better Mommy!"  You were just so glad!

In the times that you try my patience and cry and whine over very small things and get frustrated and have accidents, I'm trying to remember that you are only going to be this small for a short period of time.  Soon you'll be in elementary school and we will only get a few hours of day together.  And then the dreaded middle school years will come and you probably won't even want to talk to me much less snuggle.  So I want to remember morning's like this one.  Times when you mold yourself into my body and I get to just drink in the love and time with you.  You are my precious baby girl and I love you so very, very much.

love, Mommy