Yesterday before Kabob left for his guy’s night out, he came in the bathroom to say a quick goodbye to me and Chickpea, who was happily splashing in the bath.  The child loves her bathtime; it’s usually a challenge to get her visual attention from the depth of her complex pirate crusasde between Pablo and the spongy letters that stick to the wall.  Not to rabbit trail, but she also has this bizarre thing for pirates lately (and she doesn’t even know about Johnny Depp).  Frequently I’ll hear, “Arrgh!” in the other room, out of the blue, or she’ll be walking around, mumbling “treasure” while intently studying the map in her hands.  Weird for a not-quite-two-year-old girl, I know.  But I digress.

Anyway, so she was playing pirates, happily ignoring the rest of the world where her parents reside.  Par for the bathtime course. When Kabob headed out the bathroom door, she stopped what she was doing, looked up at him, and said:

“I yuv you, Daddy.  I yuv you.”  

Then she happily returned to her pirate crusade.  Oh. My. Deary.  Goodness.  We were both niagra fall-ing it.  She has not yet said those words, that clearly, with meaning, without first being prompted.  Or at least something else reminding her.  Kabob left with a little kick in his step.

Oh, how I want to cherish those very fleeting moments.  Somewhere between the tantrums and battles for the will lies the sweetest girl with the brightest smile and a heart of complete innocence.  Sigh…  What a great gift that was.

posted: 07 January 23
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