Dying of sweetness.

[rivka]

At dinner this evening, Alex took Michael's hand, looked up at him, and said earnestly, "Oh, what a beautiful father!"

After we finished eating, she and I went outside to hang out on the stoop and watch people go by. We played with sticks, sang some songs, chatted a bit. And then she smiled at me and said, "I have a really good time singing songs with you, Mama."

She's started saying "I love you." And even better: "I love you with all my heart." She accompanies it with hugs and kisses.

I'd like to think that this is a matter of our affectionate, demonstrative parenting style paying its expected dividends. But I know it's not that easy. The love of this little girl seems more like a miraculous gift - unimaginable luck, undreamed-of sweetness.

Comments

[wcg.livejournal.com]

She is a wonderful child. Yes, an awful lot of that has to do with how you've both raised her. But beyond what you've given her there's her inherently sweet nature.

[bosssio.livejournal.com]

he love of this little girl seems more like a miraculous gift - unimaginable luck, undreamed-of sweetness.

Yeah, that. I agree.

In RE, we put flames on a felt chalice and the kids say something good or sad that happened to them. Anthony never wanted to put a flame on. One day, he did. When asked what he put the flame on for, he said "For my mommy".

And gave me a huge hug.

Gut reaching, it was.

[mactavish.livejournal.com]

I know it's not all easy, that she can be frustrating too, but I'm delighted that this is the balance. I'm utterly unsurprised that she's smart and loving.

[raincitygirl.livejournal.com]

Very sweet. And she sounds so grown-up in her speech. Is she distinct as well as articulate?

Hopefully the "I love you with all my heart" stuff will help you grit your teeth and get through the inevitable "I hate you with all my heart." I'm told that parents are 99.9% guaranteed to hear this at least once even before adolescence hits. One of those milestones you wouldnt' be eagerly anticipating, I guess.

[rivka.livejournal.com]

And she sounds so grown-up in her speech. Is she distinct as well as articulate?

I'm the wrong person to ask, because I have so much experience decoding her speech. I think her speech is quite clear for her age, which is not to say that it's clear in an absolute sense. I think most of what she says would be understandable by strangers. (I guess we'll find out when she starts nursery school.)

[ex-serenejo.livejournal.com]

Earworm: "Oh, what a beautiful father / Oh, what a beautiful mom / I gotta beautiful feeling / My family's just the bomb."

[huladavid.livejournal.com]

Yep, that came slammin' right into my mind as well.

[thatwordgrrl.livejournal.com]

Tuck this away somewhere for when she is 12 or 13.

Seriously.

It will remind you that underneath all the Teen Angst, she really will still love you both.

[huladavid.livejournal.com]

Actually, isn't the cause of Teen Angst the kid's deep love for hir parents battling with the need for independence?

[kalmn.livejournal.com]

yes, but it's hard to tell that when the teen in question is screaming and slamming doors.

uh, not that i did that. for any more than four years until i left for college.

[huladavid.livejournal.com]

...the love of this little girl seems more like a miraculous gift - unimaginable luck, undreamed-of sweetness. Congratulations

About 10 years back my oldest nephew came tumbling into my lap and looked up at me saying--straight outta the wild blue yonder--"I yub you, Unca Dabid", and then went crashing off in the pursuit of Legos.

[minnehaha.livejournal.com]

She's just doing this so she can manipulate your both, you know.

B

[rivka.livejournal.com]

Uh oh. Do you think that maybe I shouldn't have promised to buy her a pony?

A Pony

[minnehaha.livejournal.com]

No no. These days ponies are like laptops; you can hardly get through the third grade without one.

B

[txobserver.livejournal.com]

I still vividly remember my (about to graduate from college) daughter at 18 mos. waking me up one morning by touching my face and gazing down at me and saying with her slight lisp -- "Good morning, feetheart". That age is so beautiful, with its transparent emotions.

[ailbhe]

Am ded of cute. *Ded*.

[ratphooey.livejournal.com]

It's wonderful, isn't it?