There's Nothing Better....

I'm not gonna lie.  They are some days where I wish I could go back to the pre-kid, care-free days.  When I didn't have to worry about anything to serious, and when everything was about me.  Where spontenaity was common, and it didn't matter what time I came home, because I had no one to come home to!

It's hard for me to talk to my childless friends at times, because they just don't get it.  They don't get that "No, I don't care that I never have any weekend plans", and "No, I don't care that I have to get up at 5:30 in the morning".  It's hard for them to even relate to me at all at times or even me to relate to them!

There is nothing better in the world than being a mama!  It's true.  There is nothing better than waking up to a baby cooing in his bed, and a little girl saying, "I love you". Yesterday, when I came home from working, even before I came in the door, Emma ran up to me and said, "Mama, I made you a present".  She brought to me what is now the best gift I have ever been given.  It's a key chain and she beaded every single bead by herself.  I couldn't be prouder or happier or luckier!

I can't believe my first baby is almost three years old!  Time has never gone by quicker, and I really wish it would slow down.  It seems like just yesterday when she was born!  Emma was the most 'challenging' baby that I have ever come in contact with in my life!  She cried about 60% of the day, refused to take a bottle, and would only sleep if mama was holding her.  This lasted about 9 months of her life.  Then she became a joyful, curious, opinionated, little toddler.  I remember waiting for her to take her first steps.  Month 12, 13 and 14 passed, and then finally at 15 months she RAN!  Thats pretty typical of Emma, even now.  Everything she does is with enthusiasm and energy.  If she is happy, she is HAPPY, and if she is sad or mad, you KNOW it.

Now, at 2 and 3/4 years old, Emma is fluent in English.  She speaks with the clairty of children several years older than her.  She is beginning to recognize letters and numbers.  She follows words with her finger when you are reading to her.  She can count to 30, and knows her entire alphabet.  She is the kindest and sweetest big sister to her brother, and affectionately calls him "Bubba".  When he is crying she brings him his "Nukkie", or says "Mama, he needs a Ba." She tells us she loves us countless times a day.  She worries about people. Matt's Mom had knee surgery last month, and she is constantly asking "How's you knee Nama", or "Be careful of you knee on the stairs, Nama."  She remembers things.  I'm beginning to realize that she's not a baby anymore and she's becoming a little girl!

I love you Emma.  I'm so proud of you and so lucky to be your Mama.  I'm so excited to continue to watch you learn and grow.