6 Days to 2

So earlier today was tough. If you didn't read this post, you may not know what I am talking about ... but trust me, it wasn't pretty. Neither one of us - me nor Natalie - were at our best.

However, I did have the chance to spend some really sweet time - just the two of us - at an outdoor concert this evening. I packed a delicious picnic, grabbed a blanket and the stroller, and headed to one of our favorite parks. Tonight was the first concert in the summer series, and I am definitely looking forward to many more. Chad wasn't able to join us because he's not feeling well. At first, I was really disappointed not to be going as a family. But after hanging out with Natalie ... on this gorgeous blue-sky evening with big band music playing in the background and happy kiddos running/dancing all around and lots and lots of snuggles from my beautiful, happy daughter ... I wouldn't change a thing. It was a really special time for us, and I can't help but smile thinking about it now. I just wish I had taken my camera to have a visual reminder of a simple memory.

Here are the little snapshots I have of our time at the concert:

• Natalie gobbled up hummus by dipping (and double-dipping) carrots, picked every pretzel out of her snack baggie, and refused to eat watermelon by saying, "No," with her mouth in a perfect O-shape.


• She looked up at me and said, "No skueeze. In mouf." when I handed her a juice box.


• Her enthusiastic clapping and "yaying" and dancing were appreciated by a small audience near our blanket.


• Natalie practiced gentle by rubbing my face with such sweet affection ... and then she gave me a few harder taps just to test the opposite of gentle.


• We shared a drumstick ice cream cone. After every bite, Natalie said, "More-more. Gain." She preferred the vanilla bites to the chocolate, which worked out great as far as I am concerned :)

I feel so blessed to have time with my baby girl. I just hope that tonight (and this post) will serve as a reminder to really cherish the few months we have left as just a mommy and her baby girl.