The Whee in Winter

The Whee. The child that caused me discomfort for nine months of pregnancy, who dealt me intense pain for 20-something hours of labor, and made me cry every day for the first two years of her life because she had constant colic. The Terrible Two's were an improvement over the exorcist infant.

But we all survived her infancy from hell, and toddlerhood of paybacks-for-every-awful-thing-I've-ever-done, and she bloomed into the light of my life. When she was a baby, I thought if she had been born first, there NEVER would have been more children. If I had known a child could be this much fun, I would have had a litter. Fortunately I didn't figure that out until it was too late to be an option.

The Whee is especially wonderful in winter.
Me: Unh-huh- no you don't. Momma has a camera. Snow is bad for cameras.
Whee: SO? Put it down, you weenie!
She thrives no matter the temperature, and finds adventure in the most mundane things. Her imagination never ceases to amaze me.

Awww, Prancer, here's a sugar cube. I'm sorry they tied you up to the electric shock leash.



Aww, Santa you shouldn't have. But since you did...thanks!

           Happy Trails, and may your adventures never leave you cold!

Almost Grown

Daughter #1 is about to celebrate her 23rd birthday.  I can hardly write that number, for one reason she's a really old soul, so 23 doesn't begin to express the real her.

The other reason is because it was only yesterday I was nursing her and standing over her crib at night watching her sleep and looking out from the kitchen window as she chased the chickens, and...  Yep, mother lode of mother longing.

She's the daughter that made me a mother, that for all time established my identity as "so-n-so's mother."  She's my first baby. She taught me everything about what not to do as parent.

This old soul in a young body brings the two parts of herself together in the most introspective and artistic way. She made several of us plaques as gifts.  Mine hang in my kitchen.

This one is my favorite.  Simplicity is important to me. I don't think the wall I'm building keeps people out, I think it makes them curious to peer over and see what my life is all about.

The Whee has plans for an elaborate birthday cake.  I'm envisioning the mounds of icing right now. 

Motherhood is great.  Except when they go and grow up.