fledge capable of flying, from Middle English flegge, from Old English -flycge; akin to Old High German flucki capable of flying,
Old English flEogan to fly -- more at FLY
intransitive verb, of a young bird : to acquire the feathers necessary for flight or independent activity

Friday, June 11, 2010

The corner of her smile



I won't make a big political statement about co-sleeping. For this family, it sort of just happened. With every intention to Ferberize the children on the very best crib mattress available atop the finest organic cotton sheets and with early-childhood-development knicknacks placed pedologically perfectly...yeah, well, this nursing mom and her babes would conk out and, pretty soon, it's years later and I wake up and there are still little legs and arms hiding in the folds of the big feather duvet. While my girl starts out the night in her own bed, often, by early morning, I barely notice that she has nestled up in the crook of my arm. I'm not certain where mothering stops and smothering starts, but I will admit that I treasure the moments when I feel her heavy, slow breath on my shoulder.

She turned nine years old today. I doubt that she will sneak into the crook of my sleeping arm much longer. I still see my infant in the curve of her eye, but more and more, I am recognizing a young lady in the corner of her smile. I hope we are doing the best we can for her. I want to do the things that will make joy and adventure and love and health and friendship and creativity and discovery and wonder part of her everyday. Today, it was a new dress for her. Thank you, baby girl, for inspiring this new dress for you. It was a joy to make it for you.

It has been such an honor and pleasure being your mom.

9 comments:

Lola Nova said...

Beautiful. Happy Birthday to you both!

Sew Pretty Dresses said...

Happy birthday to your daughter! My 9 yr old son is conked out next to me right now. He doesn't migrate at night anymore but he SURE likes it when we read together and he just happens to get sleepy next to me and just HAPPENS to fall asleep. Co sleeping just happened here too. Nursing being the biggest catalyst for such habits. I treasure these rare moments too. I know they will pass. sniff.

Ara said...

Happy Birthday! :)





LG Ara

Sanna said...

Liebe Anna,

alles Liebe zu deinem 9. Geburtstag.

Deine Leichtigkeit und dein Lachen kommen bis über den großen Teich geschwappt. :-)

Liebe Grüße und einen wundervollen Tag
Sanna

nic [luzia pimpinella] said...

hello, beautiful girl!

luzie and me wish you all the best to your birthday... fun, laughter love & sunshine. we bet, you have it all! ;)))

we hope to get to know you in RL next year.


hello beautiful mama!

let me leave some hugs for you... their wings are growing. *sigh*

xoxo...
nic

Debbie said...

Happy Birthday to your daugther. Beautiful dress, beautiful girl and sweet story. I'm thinking that mothering = smothering and that both are great! ;) We still read, rock, and sing our children at night before bed. Sometimes they're asleep when we lay them down, other times not. But, as long as they fit on our laps we'll continue. They are (soon to be) 5 and 6.

I tell others that you don't hear of many 20 year olds doing any of these things. So I'm sure it's not life long and that makes it all more the treasure.

*Sweet*Caroline* said...

Happy birthday, Anna!
Have a wonderful day!

They grow up too fast, don't they?

xo, sabine

Jen said...

What a wonderful story, Nancy - a beautiful tribute to a mother's love. It's so hard to see them grow up when you can still see the baby on their faces while they sleep. My oldest will be 10 in August and I'm sad that she'll start her 2-digit birthdays this year. Maybe not sad, just nostalgic.

Happiest of birthdays to Anna - may all your birthday wishes come true!

Crafty Mama said...

I am glad Anna had a lovely day...stunning dress Nancy.

from another mum with extra arms and legs in the bed :)

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