Still, quite, and 3. A night without our baby.

This is the first night in 2 years that I have to be away from my little girl. Shes 3 now and quite the handful. A handful of love, sass, and her own opinions. She is a child destine to do things on her own, in her own way, which usually isn't exactly what mommy and daddy care to do at the moment, but everything she does is still quite adorable. Since Sophia was little I've read to her at least one if not 3 stories a night. I remember her being so still, so little and so easy to stare at. Now, I find myself holding her down for kisses and hugs, if only to beg her to sit still for a moment. But, night time, oh precious night time, when sleep arrives. She is still for one thing these days, and it is to read her stories. She begs for one more, two more, "oh please mommy, this one, this one too!" and on and on.

Tonight I read her Belle story extra slow, articulating every word and letting her turn the pages. I can't help but cry when I think of getting home tomorrow night without putting her to bed. No fight over her jammies, no fussing over her hair being washed. Oh, it could be nice to just sit with my husband and relax for once in a few years, but I'll miss her sass more than the quite without her. Its only one night though, that's all I could take. To imagine life without this little person is - unbearable- so I won't. For now, I'll read very slowly, articulating every word. And, once she's in bed, I'll sneak a peak at her, still, quite, and little, and wish that in this moment, she'd be only 3 forever.