For Tricia

You can read the post that inspired this here.

What I can’t wait for Tricia to experience (these range from a few months to age two; I use the term baby for each one):

Stroking the soft hair of a small baby.

Stroking the soft, velvety skin of a baby while you cuddle them.

The big sigh of a baby finally gone off to sleep.

Baby giggling.

The first baby tantrum.

The delight of a baby at her favorite stuffed animal.

The despair of a baby when his favorite stuffed animal is missing.

Holding a chubby baby’s hand. They get independent enough that they won’t let you carry them, but not so much that you can’t hold their hand! Even if baby’s hand isn’t chubby (mine haven’t all been), tiny hands are equally miraculous, I’m sure you already know that!

First steps plus the big grin and exhilaration that usually accompanies it.

Watching baby toddle off. The pat-pat-pat of little feet.

Sneaking into the sleeping baby’s room to watch them sleep. You can see why angels would guard their beds! So sweet. Especially the little sucking movements they do with their lips.

Listening while they babble out baby talk with head tilted to one side and then pause so you can enter the conversation.

Rolling the ball back and forth, back and forth.

Discovering books together.

Playing “This little piggy went to market” and seeing their eyes light up.

A soaking wet baby from head to toe after standing at the sink playing in the water.

Watching baby try and learn new things each day: new words, new foods (sometimes this is hilarious!), new people, new games. The first time they learn to fold their hands or arms to pray is adorable.

When baby twirls round and round and falls laughing from dizziness.

Hugs and kisses instigated by baby. They don’t hold their love in. So precious!