i can't help it

i try to not just write about being a mom. some of those sweet people that follow this little page are not in that season, and don't want to know that i think emma is coming nearer to potty training. but i can't help it. it is my life right now, and most of my brain is dedicated to all things mommy. and i love it. yes, i do. even when it is hard, which it is some days. but now, emma can say "porcupine, and octopus" i can hear you all gasping "wow, those are big words for a 17 month old!". i know...that is what i said too. i do have to say though that she is finding her will, and is reminding me that indeed, in our own way we are all "strong willed". that little rascal keeps grabbing alina's soother and heading for the border. seriously it is like lightning fast! she grabs it and runs. she is halfway across the house before i can get her - when did she get so fast?

and alina, well. she is a different baby than emma. emma was kind of a "follow by the book" kid. they said that she should eat, be up for about and hour then sleep for about an hour, then repeat. and that is just what she did, without fail. alina, on the other hand, eats. sleeps. then wakes up. i try to put her on the playmat (emma's spot of choice for hours on end when she was alina's age) and after about 10 minutes she is overstimulated and crying like "hold me or else".

she reminds me of her dad. she wants lots of hugs, doesn't like to be pushed, and can only handle so much at a time. there is no criticism in that. indeed the world will be a better place if she turns out like her dad. i am just saying that she has her own little system.

she smiles now. is there anything better than seeing a little human being using those lovely muscles for the first time? it is hard to believe my heart could get any bigger.

to top it off, when i put emma down every night, i turn out the light and say into the darkness and say my  normal "goodnight honey, i love you"- and now, out of the darkness i hear a sweet little voice "i loo loo".

yup, that's the life right there.