In My Arms

Outdoorsman, after a particularly hard day with Princess: "Princess, we wouldn't be able to live without you."

Princess, pout painted on: Nuh-uh, nuh-uh nuh-uh. You would would would.

Outdoorsman, stroking her hot little cheek: "No, we wouldn't. We need you."

Princess, squirmng away from him: "No, you don't need me at all. You have Coco-pop."

Outdoosrman: "But she is not you."

Princess: "Yes, she is. She's big now."

Outdoorsman: "But she is not you."

And she melted and sobbed.

I need to hold you more and touch you more, my Baby-Big Girl. I take it for granted that because I love you so much you know that without being told. You don't. I need to tell you. And tell you. And tell you.

So this morning, I told you. I told you that before you were born, Ima and Abba were just a wife and husband. That when you were born, you made us into Ima and Abba. And that no matter how big you get, you will always be our baby, because you were the first.

After reasuring yourself that always being the baby does not mean getting back into diapers, I think that you understood.

My baby. My big girl. How often do I need to say I love you until you finally believe me?