Ru girl,

You had to get down from the high chair to go potty Sunday night during dinner.  When you got back, you wanted up on Mommy’s lap instead of back in your high chair. 

“Do you need some Mommy time?” I asked.

You emphatically agreed.  And even when little sister loudly let us know from the bedroom that she needed some serious Mommy time, you didn’t want to leave my lap.  After all, you’d helped Daddy plant a tree all afternoon.  But Mommy had been here and there and helping with little sister—not spending any concentrated time with you. 

We finally convinced you to visit Daddy’s lap, so Mommy could feed Sissy.  But you kept asking for “Mommy time.”  And I promised you that as soon as your sister had her bath and went night night, you and Mommy could have Mommy time.

Soon you were off Daddy’s lap, holding your dolly, and informing us you were having “Baby time.”

True to my word (this time, at least), I gathered you up in my arms as soon as your little sister was in bed.  We settled on the couch next to a stack of books that had been mine when I was your age.  Everything from the cloth “Jesus Loves Me” book to The Telephone Book by Dorothy Kunhardt to an “all about me” style book called God Made the One and Only Me.  You laughed at the pictures of your younger Mommy, and didn’t seem to recognize your grandparents.  Daddy laughed at the picture of little Uncle Will. 

It was late when you finally went to bed.  But we had fun having “Mommy time.”

You have finally learned to tell me when you’re hungry.  Instead of you being grumpy the hour before dinner and it finally dawning on me that you’re starving, you say, “I so hungry, Mommy,” and I feed you. 

In the same way, now I know when you’re feeling a bit left out with all my attention to little sister.  You can usually wait.   Her cries demand—and get—instant attention.  But now you let me know that you need me by more than just a tug of your hand—you say, “Have some Mommy time, please!”  And how can I resist?

I love you, little girl of mine.  I hope we never neglect to make time for “Mommy time.”

Love always,
your mommy