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I am participating in the
Slice of Life Story Challenge (SOL19)
All participants are writing about one moment, one part of their day, every day for the month of March 2019.
Slice of Life Story Challenge (SOL19)
All participants are writing about one moment, one part of their day, every day for the month of March 2019.
A big thank you to Two Writing Teachers for providing this unique opportunity
for teacher-writers to share and reflect.
for teacher-writers to share and reflect.
I walk into Frog's* room and peer into her bassinet...she looks right back at me, and gives me a big welcoming smile. I lift her up and carry her to the changing table, talking and chattering with her. "Yes! I am here! Nana has come to see you! You had such a good nap." My husband (Papa) babysits Frog each week, and I hurry over their way after my teaching day. Lately, her nap schedule means that I arrive at her house to find her fully asleep, and I must be patient and good, and leave her be. This is so hard to do! What a gift, this time, to peek in at her and have her look right back at me. Honestly, I didn't wake her up!
Frog delights in the changing table - it is one of her favorite hangouts in the house, which we think is the funniest thing. Truly, there are nicer places to be! Perhaps she loves to be up high, nearer to the adults in her life, while simultaneously free to wriggle and stretch? Maybe she likes to feel the air on her skin, as we shed her clothing? She always gives us many smiles while we change her diaper. Then, she goes into a free-form exercise routine. She kicks her legs out long and stiff, then loosens and lifts them up and around. She loves to press her feet against the container of wipes and listen to it crackle, back and forth - crackle, quiet, crackle, quiet. Her hands are busy, too - searching for something to grab and hold onto (Nana's hair?), and trying to get her fingers into her mouth. She coos and cackles, hums and shrieks. She's a talker! We banter back and forth, me making silly noises and Frog imitating.
Then, a surprise: there is a loud HRRRUNG of the garage door, as it opens...the garage is just below her bedroom. Frog looks at me with WIDE EYES and gives a loud squeal of delight, and she kicks her legs wildly in excitement!! This squeal was so distinct, and her smile so big, I feel certain it was associated with the noise.
To me, this is magical: she KNOWS!
Frog knows that if the garage door sound happens, someone she loves is coming home. Mama's coming home? Daddy's coming home? She knows.
Just a moment or so later, she is proven right - Mama comes in and gives her a big kiss.
Frog is five months old and the joy of our lives. It is so extraordinary to see her begin to know routines.
Frog delights in the changing table - it is one of her favorite hangouts in the house, which we think is the funniest thing. Truly, there are nicer places to be! Perhaps she loves to be up high, nearer to the adults in her life, while simultaneously free to wriggle and stretch? Maybe she likes to feel the air on her skin, as we shed her clothing? She always gives us many smiles while we change her diaper. Then, she goes into a free-form exercise routine. She kicks her legs out long and stiff, then loosens and lifts them up and around. She loves to press her feet against the container of wipes and listen to it crackle, back and forth - crackle, quiet, crackle, quiet. Her hands are busy, too - searching for something to grab and hold onto (Nana's hair?), and trying to get her fingers into her mouth. She coos and cackles, hums and shrieks. She's a talker! We banter back and forth, me making silly noises and Frog imitating.
Then, a surprise: there is a loud HRRRUNG of the garage door, as it opens...the garage is just below her bedroom. Frog looks at me with WIDE EYES and gives a loud squeal of delight, and she kicks her legs wildly in excitement!! This squeal was so distinct, and her smile so big, I feel certain it was associated with the noise.
To me, this is magical: she KNOWS!
Frog knows that if the garage door sound happens, someone she loves is coming home. Mama's coming home? Daddy's coming home? She knows.
Just a moment or so later, she is proven right - Mama comes in and gives her a big kiss.
Frog is five months old and the joy of our lives. It is so extraordinary to see her begin to know routines.
*FYI - As I begin to share stories from my heart, I've decided to write fictitious names for my loved ones - however clunky that may seem - in the interest of preserving whatever shreds of anonymity one really has in this world. I'm going to call my grandchild 'Frog' - I love frogs...as a spirit animal, they exemplify renewal, transformation, metamorphosis, and so much more.
I love the name "Frog" for your grandchild! Your description of your interaction with her and your observations are lovely.
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