For Finley

As usual, we have been busy bees, trying to make the most of the last days of summer. We baby-sat Sadie yesterday and had several tea parties with the tea set Grandma originally bought for Finley, but that Sadie managed to finagle out of her (wink, wink - Sadie told me all about this). I was especially impressed with Sadie's masterpiece of Key Lime yogurt with julienned carrots mixed in. Nice. I've also included pictures of Finley just being the cutest little toddler in the world. Her toenails are a big hit still - she points them out many times a day. I'm also just dying over how much she is starting to act like a "big girl"! She is obsessed with Sadie's stroller and shopping cart, so she took her stroller to run a few errands the other day. I can't get her to let go of it! She also decided she was so tired this morning that she took all the pillows off the couch and laid down to watch Barney. She still doesn't sleep - she's never been a good sleeper - but she plays in her crib and reads books with no problem until one of us comes in to get her, as you can see from the picture. Tonight, Cam taught her how to point and do the "You, You, You" cheer. I know all the Auntie's and Uncle's know what this is, but for those of you who don't - consider yourself lucky!

Now, to which the title alludes: I mostly do this blog so Cam has something to look at while he's bored at work and so the grandparents get their fix and so my friends from far away can still be a part of Finley's life, etc.; however, I read an article in the Sept. issue of Oprah tonight that made a tear spring to my eye and it just sums up how I feel about my life and Finley. I don't like to publicly display my emotions, but as my mom mentioned in her latest comment, I'm sure that Finley will one day read this blog as if it is her baby book (wow, how times have changed!) and I want her to know that this is how it is.

Lisa Kogan writes in the summary of her article "We put our muffins in the oven and set the timer for 16 minutes. Julia announces that she will be using this period "to have three babies and take them swimming." I will use my 16 minutes to shake off all dreams of a road less traveled. You make the choices you make based on what you know about yourself and what you think you know about the world. And sometimes the world will turn around and break your heart, but other times, a 5-year-old will saunter in with three dolls wet from their swim lesson. The five of you will sit down to blueberry muffins, and the reality of what you wound up with will suddenly seem like the only possible choice - it just couldn't have turned out any other way."

Too bad it's not Mother's Day because I'm pretty sure every Mother I know understands this completely. We love you Finley! And I love you, Moms!