From the moment I knew I was pregnant to age five, I kept journals about Claire and for her. Mailed the two volumes to Claire, 29, two days ago. An excerpt:
Little Talker (almost 3 years old)
Claire: "Where did you learn that song?"
Me: "From my Mom during my childhood."
Claire: "What's a childhood?"
Me: "It's the years of your life when you're a child." (Then I threw in a definition of adulthood for comparative purposes.) "Adulthood is the years when you're an adult." Pause.
Claire: "Mom, are you in your momhood now?"
Today Claire, 29, texted:
"Hi Mom! I just got your journals; my heart is so warm! I burst into tears when I realized what they were! I will read them soon, this week, when I have time. I am trying out a new employee right now, 12 hours a day, so want time to focus.
"I always looked forward to the day I got to read these!!!! YAY! Love you!"
Photos
Sick of shoveling snow, Claire staged a sit-in protest. Almost 3.
For Claire's 2nd birthday, I made the raccoon cake at her request. "Rocky Raccoon" was her favorite stuffed animal. For her 3rd birthday, Claire wanted a Smokey the Bear cake. I felt relieved the bakery could do it.