cuddle!

After I pick up Rachel from daycare, we usually have a wind-down cuddle session in the car. I'll give her a sippy cup of water and she'll sit on my lap, point out any dogs or buses or yellow objects she sees, then settle into my chest for some Mommy hugs and pats.

Today after I got some takeout Chinese food and was about to settle her back in to her car seat, she looked at me and said, "cuddle!" So OF COURSE we did. We ended up getting home late, but who cares? I savor every moment she wants me to hug her because I know the day will come when she'll want to avoid me like The Plague.

Last night was another tender moment. I had just finished reading books to her when I said, "I love you!" and she looked at me with an unbelievably cute expression on her face and replied, "I love you TOO!"

I hugged her and said, "Oh, Rachel! I am so LUCKY to have you as my daughter!" And all of a sudden this feeling swept over me -- how fortunate I am that Drew and I ended up with such a great kid, and how much fun she's getting and what did I do to deserve such fortune, anyway?

Then I burst into tears and hugged her tight.