Summer's Endings and Beginnings

{Cell phone pictures- but no apology for them}

 "I almost wish we were butterflies and liv'd but three summer days - 

three such days with you I could fill with more delight 

than fifty common years could ever contain." 

— John Keats

It may be May, but today was a summer day in Chambana. Not just that, but one of the last summer days I'll have with only one baby's chatter. Each and every second, I'm becoming more aware that the seconds of just-Millie-and-Mama are getting thin. Even though she probably has only the smallest inkling of the whole baby concept, it's been just a bit bittersweet for me the past few days. Maybe it's the hormones that seem to be rolling in late at 8 months, or maybe it's just my heart being typically and overly sentimental. Either way, this lazy, sunny afternoon was made for the two of us.

We painted with her watercolors, pink paint smearing all over the kitchen floor. She would dip the brush into her cup, and hand it to me at times, directing me which color to pick. Her latest phrase is to ask permission for anything, followed by, "Don't say no." And I didn't.

We had corn on the cob with dinner. I declared that it was my favorite, and she declared that it was her favorite too. Both of us look forward to many sweet corn meals over the next few months. (By the way, try it the way I had it in Chicago from a street vendor: a tiny bit of butter, salt, and pepper, but then slathered in mayo and covered in Parmesan cheese. It doesn't sound great, but you'll thank me later.)

And then, while the sun still shone through the trees and the wind tickled the blades of grass creeping onto the sidewalks, Millie and I took an evening stroll. We checked for ducks in the creek, balanced ourselves on the creaky, wooden bridge, and circled back for home in time to blow bubbles on the deck and whisper things to each other.

Part of my heart is a little sad that our times like this won't be quite the same anymore. I just remind myself that they will be even better, and that neither of us will know of a better life than one with her baby sister or brother. Those thoughts keep my heart in the right place.

For tonight, though, it's just us two. And two is pretty wonderful.

P.S. Don't forget- you only have a handful of hours left to enter the InfinityMOM Nursing Scarf giveaway!