"MaMa"

That's what my baby said for the first time ....almost exactly one week ago! She deliberately and carefully said "ma ma" and looked very pleased with the fuss that myself, Tim, and Aunt Bonnie made over her. Now, I'm not sure that she knew exactly what she was saying or why we were so excited. BUT she definitely said it on purpose. She actually worked pretty hard to shape the "ma" sound...her little jaws and mouth were just a-workin', practically chewing on the sounds as she said "muh muh mmm ma ma mamama". I was so proud. I cried. Well, of course I did. It's me, and while I rarely cry over anything but happiness, I do shed tears easily for joyous things. And this was SUCH a joyous thing. My baby is growing up so fast. She can say my name.

And the little minx carefully hoards her verbal treasures. She's moved onto to "ba" and "buh" sounds. I keep trying to coax another "mama" out of her, and she gives me this look like "oh mom, that is SO last week" but she does throw me a bone occasionally. Today she was babbling away "buh ba blah blah bluh um ba! buh! babababa bbbbb BLUH" or something very similar and I begged for just one little "mama". Nothing doing. Then she started to tire and want her nap. So I nursed her and we cuddled a bit. We were both quiet, just looking at each other and enjoying the quiet, sleepy closeness that comes right before or right after sleep. And apropos of nothing, she looks up and says very quietly "Ma Ma". It was everything.

And speaking of accomplishments, I should mention that Addie has not 1, not 2, but 4 teeth. Two pearly whites on the bottom (she got those first) and now two more on the top. I think she may have another two on top coming through next. And believe me, we've felt every millimeter of progress. Some kids breeze through teething. Addie is ...well, what's the opposite of breezing? Plodding? Limping, perhaps? That's what she's doing. Howling, grizzling, griping, complaining, fussing, and limping through every little bit of the process. I feel for her, I know she's in pain, but boy, does her misery looooove company. We are all hurting with her.

It's especially difficult because she is normally such a happy baby. She loves to smile and shriek and babble and laugh. She has this continual happy chuckle that has always seemed naggingly familiar to me. Today, I finally realized why her chuckle resonates so much with me. Mumsie. That was my grandmother, my dad's mother. Mumsie was always chuckling when we were around. It's hard to explain, but it wasn't at all irritating or creepy. It was this merry little ribbon of happiness that threaded through all of our interactions with her. She radiated well-being and comfort and peace. I was always happy hearing her laugh, because it was obvious how much joy she found in her family's presence. When she died, the thought of losing that forever was so hard. And I have often grieved over the fact that she never met Addie....because she would have adored her instantly and completely. That's just how she was. And now, here is her laugh all over again, in my own daughter. I honestly thanked God for that realization today. I was joking with Tim that Adelaide is perhaps Mumsie's reincarnation. But of course I don't really believe in reincarnation....but I do think it's possible that there is this wonderful little gene that's called "the merry Mumsie chuckle" that has been hibernating in my body, just waiting for the right time to express itself in my babies. Or maybe Mumsie is there, watching over us, and this is her "fairy godmother/guardian angel" gift to Addie. To let us know that she sees us and still loves us. Either way, I am so moved by the incredible mystery of life and all of the small gifts that are being realized in our lives.

And talking of small gifts, welcome Asher Timothy and Briella Reece! The last of the "Babies of Summer" arrived last week on the same day! Mauri and Rick welcomed their third child and first daugher, Briella, while Presley and Laura welcomed their first child and son, Asher, into the world. Ortho continues to grow and thrive. We are SO happy for our friends.

And tomorrow...Addie turns seven months old....AND....it's our five year anniversary. Can't wait to reflect on that!