The Mistletoe Tree

Every year around Christmas my Ma & PaPa and I would diligently search for a mistletoe tree. Once we found one we would pick the mistletoe and hang it up in their house. Of course the rule was that if you passed under the mistletoe you must kiss. This yearly tradition is one of my favorite childhood memories.

A couple of years ago Kenny and I were out driving and I said "Hey there's a mistletoe tree, lets stop and get some mistletoe" Kenny said " A mistletoe tree?" I said "Yes, we just passed it, turn around." He instantly started laughing and said "Tamatha, there is no such thing as a mistletoe tree. Mistletoe is a fungus that grows on many types of trees". I naturally rebutted his explanation as it clearly dismantled my childhood beliefs of this magnificent mistletoe tree. That wonderful belief diminished to fungus?

Unfortunately he was right, it is indeed a fungus that can grow on most any tree. So now each time I see mistletoe, I giggle.. that age 34 I still believed in the "magical mistletoe tree".

Sure- No Problem- You want me to solve world peace while I'm at it?

Chloe had her well child visit last week. As the doctor ran down her list of milestones, she asked me if she was sleeping through the night. I hesitated and told her no that she still wakes up 2 or 3 times a night. The doctor then asked me what I do when she wakes up. I told her I change her 5 pound pee pee diaper and give her a bottle. (She weaned herself from the breast a couple of months ago. Madelyn and Ellie never took the bottle at home, so this addiction to the bottle is foreign to me. ) The doctor in her kindest voice then told me that this routine needed to stop, that she was to have no more bottles in the night. I paused for a second then told her that I heard what she was saying and knew it needed to be done but also had to function every day at work. She laughed and said I needed to start trying it soon and I may have to let her cry through the night. Sure.... those of you who know me, know that allowing her to cry and scream through the night is beyond my abilities. I've never been able to do that and am not ashamed. So I gave it the good ole college try last night and it SUCKED! She woke up at 1:00 and of course expected the bottle. I changed her diaper and held her. She ended up sleeping the whole night either on me or beside me.. I'm not sure how many times she woke up, it's all a blur. Needless to say I didn't get much sleep... I gave her a sippy cup this morning w.ith whole milk, she looked impressed and begrudgingly drank it. Cant wait for tonight

Smitten

Ms. Chloe turned one on the 13th. She loves to dance, so that morning I was holding her, dancing around the room and began to cry.. Kenny asked me what was wrong, and I, in an indiscernible language while sobbing said "This is our last baby, this is the last time we'll ever experience this.." Kenny just looked at me, empathetical, aware that silence was best, there was really nothing he could say. Don't misunderstand, I'm looking forward to every stage, but I do love the baby stage.

I love everything about the baby stage, they are so precious, so dependent upon you. I'm so taken by Chloe, when I look at her I cant help but smile. I could stare at her sweet face all day. There are times when it seems as though my heart will explode when she smiles at me. And there is no one in the world that looks at me the way she does, I am the center of her universe; and that feeling when she looks at me that way, is indescribable. Kenny currently maintains a small sliver of her universe (hee, hee). A few things I LOVE about Chloe Carter Smith.

The ways she doesn't completely cover her eyes when she plays "peek-a-boo"

Her full set of dentures (she has 12 teeth)

Her sweet open mouth, slobber kisses

Her baby opinion (She lets you know when your out of line) She is the baby boss.

How proud she is of herself when she walks with her push toy.

The way she places her sisters bead necklaces perfectly over her head (obviously a sign of high intelligence :)

The way she sucks her thumb and holds her blanket against her face (There is nothing sweeter).

The good lovin she gives the stuffed animals- leaning her head on the them and squeezing them tight, while smiling.

The way she starts dancing (bobbing her head left to right) the minute she hears music.

The way she looks at me, there is nothing better...