November 2004 Archives

To appease my mom, I'm adding links to our Christmas wish lists on Amazon.com. If you choose to click on these links, keep in mind that these are the lists of two very fulfilled people. In other words, we already have everything we could want out of life, so we had to stretch a little to find stuff to wish for.

Actually, that's not true. I wish we could decide on a decent name for baby number two. And I wish Alecia would stop throwing so many awful monikers at me every day. Who wants to name their baby Anais? We might as well go with "Anus" and save the playground bullies the work.

Anyway, the lists are to the left. You'll notice that Maddie doesn't have one (her computer skills are limited). For her, we recommend that any wannabe gift-givers get her clothes that she can grow into--assuming she someday grows. Or perhaps you can fulfill a subconscious urge to relive your childhood and get her something that you secretly want for yourself. (I do it all the time.) Do whatever makes you happy.

By the way, you may have noticed that this post is interspersed with pictures of Maddie in her Halloween costume. This is for Marci, who's made it clear that she couldn't care less what we have to say about our wonderful lives, she just wants pictures of the damn baby, thankyouverymuch. Way to make us feel important, Marci. Just see if we let you hold baby number two. After all, if our only value is as baby-makers, we may have to start charging money for viewings...

The ironic thing is that Marci was actually there when Maddie had these pictures taken, so they're not even really new to her. (And no, we weren't obsessed with her costume--Alecia had free portrait coupons and thought it would be cute. It was.)
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It's been a while since we posted, and there's lots to tell you about Maddie's adventures in trick-or-treating, but I don't have much time so instead I'll tell you about the sweetest thing that she did today.

I was changing her diaper on the floor in her room. Afterwards I was leaning over her and letting her touch my nose and hair and mouth, all the while naming these. Suddenly she reached up and wrapped both arms around my neck and pulled me close. She was hugging me! She held on for a while and then let go. Then she did it again. Both arms wrapped so tight around my neck. And it happened two more times, both where she patted me on the back each time. I was frozen and didn't know what to do, other than hold on and hug her back. She's never done that before. Occasionally, she'll give me a kiss (open-mouthed, of course) but this hug was a new thing. I have to admit that I had tears in my eyes.

It was honestly the happiest few minutes of my life so far. Those tiny, sweet little arms using all their strength to hold me close.

And yes, it lasted only a few minutes, as my little toddler scrambled up and ran across the room to chase the cat.

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