Taking notice...

Hi, world.  Hi.

I've been trying to take notice of things lately.  You know, the little things that are going to change before I take note of them if I'm not careful?  Those.  There are a lot of them, and each time I notice a new one, I store it away in my little treasure chest with the rest of those little jewels. 

Like the way Anni begins (and sometimes ends) her stories with, "And sometimes..."

 and that she likes to request the "Cack, cack, cack song," (Five little ducks by Raffi) followed immediately by "Ducks like Rain".

...that we have to ration her stickers because she is ob. sessed.  Today, she covered my belly with them while I rested on the bed, doing my best not to vomit everywhere, telling me "for Yi' Bit, mommy!"

...that "Yi Bit yives in mommy's tummy.  I a big sister!  I a wonderful big sister!"

...that pinecones come from the "pinecone forest", but some of them are a little "pokey."

...that both her reflection and shadow are "Gaga", a dearly beloved friend that should not be left behind if at all possible.

...that she will set up her tea set and invite me by saying, "Mommy want cakes?"

...that flowers make her dance in happy circles

...that Daddy coming home is always, always, a running, happy dance, smothering Daddy in kisses occasion.  Okay, except for that once when she thought it was the people who had been fixing the roof all day.  That was a screeching, "I SCARED!" occasion.  Luckily, it was just Daddy.

Oh, and that nose wrinkle.  I love it.  I love her, and the fact that every single one of these little moments just expands my heart a little more.  And when she swings her skinny little arm over my neck to give me a sideways hug?  Well, then my heart just melts into a big ole puddle. 

What are your favorite little moments?