Rough day, revisited

Dear Daughter,

Today was a rough day. Something is going on with you, and I'm not sure what. I think it might be a combination of some new teeth coming in (you have fourteen already!) and your burgeoning independance. Today you would get very upset if you didn't get what you wanted. Sometimes you would get so mad that you would lie on your tummy on the floor and cry for a little while. You were so sad, and that made me sad. Sometimes you were really happy, though, too! You didn't really want to eat much of your supper, but you really liked the applejuice popsicle that I gave you for dessert. You even put some purple rice on top of it! Chicken and vegetables were pretty much a "na-na-na-na-na-na-na!" We'll get more in you tomorrow.

Despite the times when I was exasperated, there were gleaming moments of pure joy. The best one of the whole day was at bathtime. You were playing really well with the octo-bonhommes, and all of a sudden you looked at me with a small smile. Slowly, you lay down in the water and looked up at me. I don't think you could hear me with your ears underwater, lying there very still. Then all of a sudden you laughed at me! It was so wonderful to hear you laugh today with a gleam in your eye as you watched my reaction to your silliness. I loved it and I will always remember that moment when times are rough again. Thank you for the beautiful memory. Love,

Mommy