Snap Shot

There is so much I want to remember about right now. I want to take it ALL in and store it forever.

Sometimes when you are talking to me or showing me something, I stop myself from doing whatever other thing I feel I have to be multitasking at that moment, and I pause, and I scan every inch of your beautiful little face.

I cup your little rosy cheeks in my hands and I look into your deep blue eyes. You smile at me, I smile at you and I take a snap shot and I tell my brain and my heart. Remember this. Remember this moment. This little person. Right now.

At this moment…

:: You have just turned 3.

:: You are in Kindy. Your teacher is Miss Olivia. Your best friend is Zara. You love Kindy.

:: Your favourite book is Fancy Nancy. It was a birthday present from your Aunty Leah and Uncle Sam.

:: Previously, your favourite book was The Very Cranky Bear. You love the story because it thrills you. You hold your hands over your eyes just before the bear shouts at the other animals and chases them out of his cave but (spoiler alert) you are relieved that it all works out in the end. I bought the book at a St Vinnies I have passed every day for the last 6 years. I finally decided to pop in one day on the way home and bought that book for 50c.

:: You love Polly Pocket Dolls. You dress and undress them. You put them in cars. You give them names like “Millie” and “Billie”.

:: You make up songs. All your songs contain the lyrics “I love you”.

:: You like to dress up as a Ballerina and dance. You like to dance with me. And I love to dance with you.

:: Two weeks ago you went to a fairy 4th birthday party. You still have fairy dust in your hair.

:: You use the phrase “last week” when you are referring to anything that occurred in the past, at any time in the past - even if it was 5 minutes ago or a year ago.

:: When I say, “Thank you” you respond “No welcome!”

:: You love to play “Shopkeepers”. Before this it was “Mummies and Babies”.

:: Your Daddy and I took you to Seaworld on the weekend. We went with your friend Majella. You both held hands and loved touching the Star Fish and Sea Cucumbers. It rained the whole time we were there but neither of you cared. It was a highlight to wear your raincoat.

:: On Monday when you got tired you told me you wanted to see Sophia. I explained that she was at school and you asked whether you could go to school too. I explained that when you turn 4 you will go to “big girl school” (pre-school/pre-prep). You started to cry and said you wanted to go now. I suggested we go take a drive and visit your big girl school. You insisted you put on your ballerina outfit and slippers “for the big school girls to see”. We bought rainbow paddle-pops and ate them on the way home.

:: You squirted out half a tube of toothpaste in the bath tonight and tried to pick up the minty green “worms” to eat.

:: It is Wednesday night and I am looking forward to our day at home together on Friday. I think we may go for lunch with Aunty Cath. Later in the afternoon, your Nan is going to visit us.

:: You discovered the “present stash” box under our bed tonight and have found a little book of stickers. I suspect you will be covered in them in the morning.

:: You didn’t want to go to bed in your cot tonight. You were scared of monsters. You are asleep in our bed. I am waiting until you are in a deep sleep until I transfer you back to your bed. Your “big girl bed” is arriving next Friday.

:: All of this, I love.

:: I love you. Everything.

Snap.

Remember that always.