Things I remember about you: Baeleigh

I'm being a little nostalgic lately. There's an inner debate rumbling in my head. I'm 32 years old, 2 kids, a husband of nearly 8 years, great career...and I feel old. Ever feel like you've somehow passed all your milestones? And what's next? I know, I know. I have lots of life left to lead. But somewhere in the back of my head I think: Marriage, check; kids, check; career, check check. I feel like one of those bugs that has fulfilled her destiny and now must just wait to die. Ok, a little dramatic, but that's where I am.

It made me start thinking how fast time has flown by and what do I remember of it, specifically my kids that seem to practically grow in front of my very eyes. Have I savored every last moment of that time together? Have I been that hands-on mom that I wanted to be to date? I want to look back and think of all those fond memories, but sometimes my memory seems clouded. Is that because my life is such a whirlwind of things to do or accomplish that I haven't enjoyed what was in front of me the whole time? I've always thought myself to be a pretty good multi-tasker. Hell, I live for it. So, for more of my own purposes of my own mental sanity, I thought I'd write out a little list of those things I recall off the top of my head, starting with Baeleigh. That way when I practically hyperventilate over the lost time, I can remember those little things about her. It's amazing what I recall when I just give a little time to let the memories bubble up.

-Falling alseep on mommy's chest pratically every night as a baby
-Practically watching "30 Minute Meals" 24-7 on maternity leave, and now you'll watch it voluntarily like she's a lost relative
-Wrinkling up your nose at me, shoulders shrugged
-Trying to wriggle your nose like mommy
-Watching you twirl around (eyes spotting the wrong direction) in the living room til you fell over dizzy or chasing Max
-Your giggly laugh when I tickle your knees
-Chasing or "bumping" Max in your walker
-Catching you at the end of your stairs somersault
-Super-Baeleigh
-Extremely high fevers (103+) with cold rags and popsicles to cool you down
-Throwing you on the bed, bouncing on the bed
-Watching you catch your first fish on your SpongeBob fishing rod
-"Driving" Pop-Pop's boat
-Excercising with me, specifically downward dog and leg kicks
-Eskimo kisses
-Your fascination with lady bugs (though not large balloon versions)
-Pumpkin patches and the zoo (chasing that poor horse and goat around at 17 months to brush it)
-Visits to Smoothie King, the Beach, the park, the No. Beach Farmer's market (to play on the ship)
-Watching you scared out of your wits excited on the county fair and amusement rides
-Cooking muffins for breakast, cookies for Santa and deviled eggs for family get-togethers
-Cuddling on the couch to watch TV/movies
-Picking up rocks in the driveway and finding them in your pockets when we washed the clothes
-Blowing bubbles and eating popsicles on the front porch
-Stooping down to watch the ants go in and out of the cracks on the sidewalk
-Learning to ride your bike on training wheels in the cul-de-sac but not understanding that backwards peddling was the brake
-Helping me sweep and dust, you love the dust pan
-Catching you at the end of the water slides over and over again
-Big Thunder Railroad (wasn't sure you were scared or excited until you said "let's go again")
-Reading you bedtime stories
-Ten gazillion barrettes and ponytails in my hair
-Pink Barbie glasses
-Being a big girl for your first double flu shot (previously it's always taken an army of nurses to hold your screaming self down)
-Being a Room Mom for your first dance recital
-Your pre-school graduation and bawling over the slideshow and when they called your name
-Hugging you before you jumped on the school bus for the very first time to kindergarten
-Watching you read Dr. Suess to your brother
-Helping you with your homework, especially your poems

Feel free to add on.

Miss Literal

Today is Baeleigh's first day back to school from Spring break. As usual, she skipped into the bathroom, having completed none of her morning routine. She was practically bubbling over with energy this morning, not unlike any morning. I asked her, "So, are we going to start off on the right foot today and get a sticker?" This year we've had little trouble with her focusing on classwork, fidgeting in class, not zipping her lip when she's supposed to be quiet, etc. Normal kindergartner behavior, I think. The kids are on a sticker system, where every day they get a sticker placed on their calendar if they were good. Needless to say, we've had a few dry months here and there. Occasionally a streak of stickers (and these tend to coincide with parental and grand-parental bribery), but more comments written in the boxes (i.e., not good). What is Baeleigh's reply to my question about starting out on the right foot? "Mommy, which one is my right foot again?"

I'm guessing today will bring more comments in the box.