Momma Joy

Little Riv, as I watched you colouring at your little craft table, I saw a face full of earnest concentration.  Your tiny head was tilted, your hair curling sweetly against your neck, the light making your ears look pink and translucent.  You are so small now that your feet dangle from the chair and the crayons look too big for your hands.  But in that moment, I didn’t see my baby — I had a glimpse of the little girl you will become.

Little Riv, you are completely obsessed with the FIFA versions of the song “Waving Flag” right now, and we need to play the multi-lingual versions several times a day.  You dance around and wave the flags we got on Canada Day each time we play it.  While your dad and I now can’t get it out of our heads, you are probably on of the few 22 month olds who can sing out quite clearly, “Give me freedom, give me fire, give me reason, take me higher! (etc.)”

We went to see the ducks at Granville Island the other day.  There were, however, a lot of geese and they were all competing for the bread and seeds people were throwing.  One actually came up to me and beaked me on the knee before I could back away!  I didn’t want to worry you so I said, “Oh, the goose tickled me!”  You looked at me, lifted up your arms and stated emphatically, “Goose not tickle River!  Up!”

Recently we were at your great Grandma’s and your uncle spotted a bunny rabbit in the front field!  He picked you up to show you the bunny and you watched it for ages.  Then the bunny bolted, its little white tail flashing in the long grass.  You looked up at your uncle and exclaimed, “Again, again!  More bunny!  Hop, hop!”  It took a little while before you could be persuaded that we could not bring the bunny back and make it run again, but now every time we are at Grandma’s, you look for bunnies.

Little Riv, even when you are being a monkey, it’s hard to get upset because you are so polite and funny.  If we ask you to do something and you don’t want to, you wave your hand and say, “No, fine thanks.”  It’s as if we had offered your a drink and you are politely declining.  I wouldn’t want to stop playing and do something boring either (like getting dressed)!

Yesterday we went to your great Grandma’s for a party.  You had such fun playing with your cousins, chasing and playing hide and seek.  Your aunts and uncles adore you, and you can’t get enough of giving hugs and kisses to everyone.  I don’t think there is anything you love more than being with your family.

Little Riv, you woke up this morning singing (like you do so many mornings) little songs from your music group.  Your tiny voice is so sweet and clear.  Your dad and I just lay in bed listening to you, savouring what a dear child you are.