Baby Ween turned two on June 20th and I can't believe it. While she grows more inquisitive and hysterical everyday I sometimes miss her babyness. The other night before bed she allowed me to hold her in my arms like a baby and I sang "Rock-a-Bye-Baby" to her several times. But before I got too content she sat back up and I had to recount every detail of her birthday party and sing Happy Birthday to her several times. I was then called into service to sing several more made up songs before she would relent and allow me to put her into her crib. This was also the night our air conditioner broke so anyone sitting on their deck likely heard my homemade version of "She'll be Coming Around the Mountain." In my song Elizabeth was the one who was coming around the mountain, in a pickup with Daddy, with a big brown bear, with a silly penguin and carrying a purple baby. It just went on and on. She makes it harder and harder to leave her room at night, learning easily, it seems, how to stall for more time. I rub the sheets, I kiss her face all over, I sometimes allow her to squish my more then ample tummy. She turns her music on, jumps around a little bit and then reaches out to me as I walk to the door. All in a bid to not have to lay down, to not have to close the book on another day. As I've done every night since her arrival home from the hospital I creep in before I go to sleep. I listen for her breath and I say a small pray for her safetly and her happiness. I also say thank you for all those who love her and for having her in our lives. As the road to three unfurls I'm excited by what will come next not just for Baby Ween, but for all of us.
