New obsession: Water

Felicity's latest obsessions are playing with bubbles in the sink and brushing her teeth.
Had I known that I could have saved $5000 in toys and, instead, purchased some dish soap and a toothbrush, I would have that fancy new bedroom furniture I've had my eye on...

Once Upon a Time...

Once upon a time there was a young mom who thought that her little girl would never watch television, never eat candy, never talk about wanting to be a princess, and never eat multi-colored goldfish crackers made with unnatural ingredients.

Just this past week, though, that little girl looked up at her now-not-so-young-mom during a commercial break from Desperate Housewives, still wearing her tutu from earlier, and, through a mouthful of green and red goldfish crackers, exclaimed, "I want more Carlos."

It was precisely at that moment that the idealistic young mom was finally put to rest. I imagine that she is somewhere far far away reading to her little girl as they eat organic vegetables from her garden and carefully plan the daughter's eco-friendly, gender-neutral halloween costume.

Felicity is a "Balla-eeena"

On Saturday Felicity attended Maya's birthday party. It was at a ballet studio. Needless to say, she's sold on being a ballerina. See for yourself.

Random Outburts...

Life doesn't really stop for a 2 year old. The events that happen to us. All of the horrible and joyous events that we have to endure don't really translate for Felicity. No matter what's going on in my world, for her, she still climbs into our big bed in the morning, begins her day with oatmeal, makes the hard decision of hot pink or purple shoes, goes to school, and then comes home to play. The sky could literally be falling and she would still expect music class to being a 9 a.m. followed by a treat of teddy grahams for the car ride home. Her experiences really are her whole world.

This fact was ever so evident yesterday when we went to Milwaukee for James' memorial service. It was such a bittersweet experience. Elisabeth and Michael had done so much to commemorate their sweet James. There were photoboards everywhere showing his amazing progress over five years and highlighting the wonderful opportunities his parents had given him. Chris and I were solemn and reflective. But for Felicity, this was, as she herself declared, "a party." She ate cookies, she ran around with other little kids, and she laughed. In some ways she was celebrating James in a way more appropriate than any of us adults.

And while Chris and I did stop to marvel at just how well-behaved Felicity was. And just how cute it was to see her playing with "the big kids." We were, alas, reminded that she still was not truly aware of what was going on. During a reflective moment when everyone was silent during the service, Felicity rummaged through my purse, resurrecting a tampon. Proud of her excavation, she held it up and said--loudly--"Mommy, it's for the Nina." And I have to admit that in that most inopportune moment she did bring me back to reality.