Torri Wightman

you sat up for long periods, occasionally falling over when tired

you waved

you learned the world extended far beyond the eyelet bumper pads of your crib... I'd see your little fingers pulling them down to look

your first cold although typical of your disposition it did not bother you - it was business as usual

 

Life with you is an everyday thrill.  It only gets better.  I cannot imagine what I did before you, how I existed at all with such a dull empty life.  You are so patient with me and life, willing to be dragged around on errands, and even tolerant of my mother-guilt.  Working 9 to 5 is not an opton as I could never make it through a whoel day without your laughter. 

 

People ask if we are having another one.  I think to myself that you are so special, so unique, that there could not possibly be "another one."  You are one in a trillion with so much charm, character and personality no one could come close to being you.  I do not ever intend to miss any moments with you by having "another one."

you invented your first game!  pulling a diaper over your face, holding your breath and lying perfectly still until the big prankster moment when you pulled the diaper off with complete and utter glee.

 

 

you also invented your second game... on Dad's shoulder going down the stairs, I would come behind you and you thought his legs were yours and that your were running away from me.  every time I came close to catching you you would dissolve into hysterics.

 

 

you were eating 2 jars of vegetables for lunch and I wondered how long that would last before you started hating them like your father

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

your first 2 teeth came in on the bottom after a week of gnawing, drooling and general misery

you loved rolling over

you are eating your first foods, like that pasty infant cereal

I cannot imagine that I ever lived without you in our lives now that you are here.  You give me so much to look forward to.

 

 

you blow spit bubbles.... so fun..

You slept through the night at 3 weeks old.  I woke up that morning shaking the night off of me, not understanding the morning light and a full seven hour sleep.  I prayed you would be breathing.

You also smiled your biggest and brightest smiles for Dad.  You would not stand for comotion, and did not like going out.  I decided I would keep you in, and safe, for a bit.

We napped together and often I woke up first, and counted the days you lived so far... amazed but this counting always came with tears I would later hide from you.

I did not want time to pass.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It was 8 hours before I saw and held you.  When the nurse wheeled you in all bundled and warm you immediatley took to eating.  You ate yourself to sleep.  All consumed by snuggling, visitors coming and going we would sleep and wake in tandem. 

 

You were content, quiet and aware.  So happy from the start.  When strangers were in the nursery, Dad pretended he was not your father just to hear the comments about your beauty, your long fingers, coloring, full head of jet black hair, and charged blue eyes.

 

You knew I was all yours.

 

I changed you on day three, the first diaper ever in my life.  Yes I saved myself for you sweet Victoria.  I washed and dressed your little body, my nervous hands, so inexperienced, but you were so patient and grateful. 

 

It was time to leave on day 4.  An older nurse stood with her arms folded, watching, as Dad navigated the Cat's Cradle of straps for the car seat.  That took 20 nervous minutes.  We got home, and you had always, always been here with us....