Sunday, October 7, 2007

just us

The pediatrician first mentioned it at Elly's one month check-up. She told me I needed to hand Elly off to Alex and spend some alone time with Canon. I think I actually laughed out loud when she said it. Seriously?! I felt like Canon absorbed almost all the attention I could produce. She seemed to suck it up with sheer force. Poor Elly was left to cry hungrily / angrily / pitifully / sadly / tiredly until I could distract Canon, jump over her, and finally nurture my new baby.

I'm also a bit of a control freak when it comes to caring for my baby. Time apart from her means anxiety for me. (I could list all the things I get anxious over, but that would be exhausting. So let's just leave it at general anxiety.) But now things are starting to change. Elly is getting older and more independent.

Tonight, nearly one year since Elly was born, Canon and I had our very first "just us" outing. I took her to see a performance of the Wizard of Oz. She stared at the stage it awe, she sat on my lap during the "scary parts," and she clapped wildly after every musical number. After the show we walked around downtown Charlotte. We stopped in a pizza joint for a slice. She wanted to sit outside, so she led me to an outdoor patio that I had somehow missed. All the way home we sang songs from the show. Just before we pulled in the driveway she said, "I love you, Mommy. You are the best mommy ever."

And Elly survived without me. When we Canon and I got home, Elly screamed in excitement and frantically crawled toward me.

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

this post made me smile. I'm so glad you are doing well.

I touched the pregnant belly coffee mug here at work the other day-- I thought Jessica D. was going to faint... she says I'm next... yikes.

Also-- when was Elly born? There's no date next to your name on the post it in the coffee mug... and I'd like to add it. :)

Merissa said...

I'm glad you and Canon had some alone time. I'm sure she felt so special and loved!

Nilsa S. said...

Letting go ... agh! Sounds like you and Canon had a great time bonding and it made you that much more excited to see Elly. Can't wait to meet her in a couple weeks!

askewheels said...

How fun! You are a great mommy. What a special memory for Canon!

Dawn said...

Christy, that sounds so special. A magical moment in time with your oldest child. I'm so glad that you got to do it because it was probably long overdue.

By the way, Canon is right. You are a pretty awesome mommy. Love you.

Shell said...

She will remember that always, even at her age!