Ukraine Adoption

Dolphins, Part II

Tonight I tucked Tara into her bed and plopped down at the bottom, horizontal with my feet still touching the ground, just like I have done countless nights. We had just finished talking about everything we did today; her swim classes where she went all the way under water; the Dora card-match memory game where she beat me for real; the shopping trip to Old Navy where she picked out two pairs of adorable little jeans (why can't we all look that good in jeans.)

In between the handful of errands, we laid around on the couch near the fire and watched Ellen on TiVo and the Wonder Pets. We both try to act just as excited about the other's show; we are good sports. John worked a bit, Austin had indoor baseball practice and a birthday party to go to. It was a nice lazy day for the girls of the house.

So what better way to end such a day than plopping at the bottom of her bed to listen to her rustle around until she falls asleep, and I hear that deep breath. She offered me one of her dolphins again, she never gives up hope that I will stay just a little longer, and sometimes I do, though I realize it mostly keeps her awake to have me there for too long. She will want to talk and play.

This time, when she sweetly whispers: "Mommy, do you want one of my dolphins?" I smile and say, "Sure, honey." And she hands me the smaller of the two, then shows me the proper way to snuggle them, just under the chin.