August 5, 2010

I am writing this post solely for my baby girl. Readers are welcome, however my words are meant for one little angel.
Molly,
You spend your days being feisty, bossy, silly, goofy, angry, sweet, happy, and loving. Today was no exception. While your mood changes in the blink of an eye, you still melt my heart. Today was a normal day. We played outside, we had breakfast, lunch, and dinner together, talked about our day, showered, cleaned, played some more, and talked. Throughout the day, you were your usual self. Spending odd minutes on the "time-out" bench for hitting your sister, yelling or screaming, or simply not listening to your mommy. The other minutes of the day you spent being a mommy to your baby dolls, playing in the toyroom, helping me cut the grass, or trying to sneak into the candy drawer. I spent the day like most days, running around like a maniac, pausing only every other minute to revel in my fantastic world here. Loving the minutes spent with my girls at our new home, loving the room we have to run and play and grow. Loving watching you and your sister grow and learn. I spent today thinking that I was content with my decision to stay home and be with you each and every day. I spent today thinking that I knew what you were up to all day long.
I was wrong. I missed something.
Something so innately small that probably most others would miss.
But I didn't miss it as I went to my bedroom to get ready for bed. Mere minutes before this, I walked a cold, wet washcloth up to my crying baby girl (This is a habit that I myself do often to help me fall asleep. You have noticed and picked up on it, and every once in a while you need a washcloth to help you sleep). I came back downstairs after whispering my favorite phrase to you "you are so special to me." As I walked into my bedroom, I saw that my bed was neatly made. Neatly is kind of an overstatement. My bed was made by the hands of a three year old.
You see, Molly, my girl, on a typical day, I wake up in my bed with you right beside me. We have been battling over you staying in your own bed all night long. When I wake up with you next to me, you always ask to make my bed for me. I love that you like to be helpful and sweet, and that you like to do big-girl things.
Today, was different. I woke up all alone. Daddy is working in New York, and you and Sarah both made it all night up in your own beds. I was alone in bed. I woke up and went upstairs to find my girls laughing together in the closet. In the craziness of the morning, I never went back into my room to make my bed. My two fancy pillows and one long body pillow remained on the floor near my dresser. The sheets and comforter remained rumpled.
It was not until minutes ago that I walked into my room again today. What I saw melted my heart and brought tears to my eyes. I quickly ran upstairs to thank you for this sweet, simple gift, only to find that the washcloth trick worked and you were already fast asleep. And so I am here, thanking you and telling you that even the smallest gestures make the biggest impression. Molly, sometime during this hectic day, you noticed that my bed was unmade. You took time out of your play to do a chore without me asking you to do it. You did something sweet for me and never asked for any recognition for doing it. You acted selflessly. You acted in a way that I work everyday to teach you.
Thank you.
I love you.