Awesome

According to the American Heritage Dictionary, awesome is defined as:

1. Inspiring awe: an awesome thunderstorm.
2. Expressing awe: stood in awesome silence before the ancient ruins.

Motherhood has many incredible, life-changing moments. Yesterday, I felt so full, that I can hardly describe it.

We had two days of fantastic weather this week. On Tuesday after work, LP and I took advantage of the 50 degree temperatures and took a stroll around the neighborhood. It was a route we traversed dozens of times last summer and early fall, but this time it was different. LP was alert and turning her head from side to side. I felt less like a moron than usual as I talked aloud and pointed things out to her: "See the squirrel, baby girl? He is trying to carry that big acorn." We had a great time. And I am almost positive she kept asking me "What's that?"

Last night, instead of taking a walk, I decided to lay a blanket down on our front lawn and sit with LP to let her interact with nature. This is really the first time she has sat in grass, felt a dead leaf crunch in her hand, or destroyed a crocus with a pump of her fist. She pulled the edges of the blanket in close to her so she could touch more of the grass, grabbing a few strands at a time and holding them close to her face. To keep her from trying to put anything in her mouth, we played a game where I would swat her hand away when it got close to her little lips and tickle her. I bet her loud giggles could be heard down the whole block. Actually, I hope those giggles were heard through the whole neighborhood. I wish I could bottle them and listen to the hearty sound whenever I need a pick me up. Or tomorrow when we are expecting 3-6 inches of snow.

It was awesome. For both of us.