~~~~~

Wednesday morning (you see, I really have been saving up), Frances was a big snugglebunny. Some snugglebunniness is normal for her--BIG hugs are her preferred method of locomotion before daycare. Wednesday was extra special even by her standards. She wanted only hugs, nothing but hugs, and only hugs from mama would do. If Erik held her, she would cry. If we put her in her chair for breakfast, she would cry. So she ate breakfast on my lap and I developed a method of diaper changing and baby dressing that involved almost no down time.

Pretty neat, eh?

I know, I'm a suck.

She was so snugglebunnyish on Wednesday that whenever she saw Erik she would wave at him and say "bye bye!" clearly preferring to stay at home with mama. Not that mama was staying home, but this thought was just too much to bear. "Bye bye!" she'd wave, and we'd laugh and wonder how we were going to get her out of the house.

In the end, it involved tears. We put on her shoes and Erik took her most unwilling from my arms and my last glimpse Wednesday morning of my little girl was a red face, two teary eyes and quivering lips.

~~~~~

AND (I told you I was going to burst) we now have a newish bedtime routine.

Old bedtime routine: Bottle while watching a kids' show. Pajamas. Tooth brushing. Good night hug with mama. Then chair time with daddy to say goodnight to the happy bee, and the duck on the ceiling, and read a bedtime story. Crib. Twenty minutes of babbling and griping. Sleep.

New bedtime routine: Bottle while watching kids' show. Pajamas. Tooth brushing. Good night hug with mama. Then chair time with daddy--but wait! Mama's leaving! Noooo, this cannot be! Stretch arms out for hug when she reaches the door, watch mama crumble and come back to the chair. Big family hug time, one happy grinning little baby. Mama drags herself away with many kisses and squidges. Noooooo! Hold arms out again! Mama bravely resists, mostly by holding her hands over her eyes, and now it's time to say goodnight to the happy bee, the duck on the ceiling, and have the bedtime story. Crib. Twenty minutes of babbling and griping. Sleep.

This girl loves hugs.

~~~~~

Last but not least: The toe-kissies, our newest game.

Mama: Can I kiss your toes, Frances?

(Frances grins wickedly and puts her feet out near mama's lips)

(Mama purses her lips and makes kissy noises and tries to kiss her toes)

(Frances waves her foot about, making mama chase her foot with the kissy noises, while cackling loudly)

(At last Mama makes toe contact!)

(Frances nearly dies in a fit of laughing so intesnse she is breathless and red-faced)

Mama: What great toes!

Frances: (giggles)

She likes kisses, too.