Momma Joy

Little Riv, you really enjoyed our recent holiday in Harrison Hot Springs.  You could look out our window and see a pool!  So each morning your woke up and the first thing you said was, “River go swimming?  Daddy too?  Momma too?”  You loved the warm pool because it had a rocky fountain for you to splash in and because a whole section was shallow enough for you to sit and walk in by yourself.

Little Riv, a little while ago you started going down the slide all by yourself — your Dad and I are so proud!  You climb all the way up the stairs, and say “Grab and sit!” because that’s how your Dad taught you to hang on to the bars and steady yourself before you push off.  And because we cheer for you, you like to cheer for other kids when they slide down, too.

Little Riv, going to bed is not your favourite thing; I think you hate missing out on all the fun.  Each night when I say it’s time to go your bed and Momma is going to mine, you put your arms around my neck and say, “Sad, Momma.”  I’m always sad to leave you too, darling.  But we have a big kiss and hug and I tell you we will have lots of fun tomorrow.

Little Riv, when you want to keep doing something, like reading a book, you say, “Book all time!” in the cutest little voice.  My personal favourite is “Potty all time!” (which sounds an awful lot like “party all the time” when you say it).

Your Grandma has been visiting and we’ve been going out and having lots of fun together.  One of your favourite things now is to take our order with a little pen and paper (maybe we’ve been going to too many restaurants?).  So far, you like suggesting that we order “chicken-fries, a glass of water, coffee and blue pie”.  You had blueberry pie the other day and it was a big hit.

Your favourite game is “Peek-q!”, otherwise known as peek-a-boo!  Of course your own variation is that after you hide your eyes or leap up from behind something, you like to follow it up by flinging yourself into my arms and calling “Got you!”  It’s much more fun that way!

Yesterday, I was showing you a little silver heart-shaped box on my dresser — you love holding it.  You asked me what it was, and I said, “My heart.”  You picked it up and held it up close to you and said, “This is River’s!”  And so it is.

Little Riv, yesterday when I was baking, your daddy said, “Look, Momma is making cake.”  You replied by singing, “Happy Birthday to you” to your Grandma and Uncle E — the most recent family birthday (in April) and probably the last time you had cake!

I love how you love music!  When we sing together, you make up your own medley, singing a few lines of one song and then saying the title of another before switching to it.  Why choose just one when you can have all your favourites?

Little Riv, you give the best hugs in the world.  You reach around me, squeeze me tight, and pat me gently on the arms or back.  As you’ve gotten bigger, you often say “Hug!” first, and then throw yourself into my arms.