Lyds is super motivated by routines. She loves them. Especially when they revolve around transitions. They provide comfort and assurance when she knows exactly what to expect. She’s only particular about following a few routines to the letter (thankfully), and interestingly those ones often involve time outside of the house. Like church. On Sunday she knows when it’s time to leave Mom & Dad & go to class—and she is giddy to do so. And at the end of church she knows when it is time to go home—and she is giddy to do so (honestly, same). The routine after church is I pick her up from class, we wait a hot second for her brothers & Dad, then we all go out to the car. If brothers take too long, there is wrath. Well, last Sunday it was I who took to long 😬 and as I hurried down the hall my tearful girl was already waiting in Daddy’s arms and she burst out, “Mama!!! Mama!!!”
If you’ve been here awhile you know that Lydia NEVER says my name. This was a moment. This was the depth of highly-motivated anxiety 🥹 So I was like “Gosh, I’m sorry I worried you but I don’t hate hearing that!” And it was magical. 💖
Well, good news. Our moment of terror seems to have broken down a wall, because “mama” has been popping up again and again this last week, and not always out of desperation but even out of joy! 😅
She’s six and a half and words are few. I’m her mama and my heart is so happy. 💗
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Go ahead & ignore all the imperfections in this photo including the fact that I’m in my grubbies & just be happy that I’m in it cuz I’m working on that. 💛