I’m Watching
August 24 2010 “Mommy watch!”
Abby’s positioned on the couch, one of our decorative pillows in hand. I’m trying to do some work on the computer from the chair across from her, but she’s having none of it. If I take my eyes away for a second, she barks even louder, her face in a pout.
“Mommy watch!”
She takes the pillow and pretends to eat it, stuffing a piece in her mouth. Then takes it out, smiling, to do it again. I act briefly impressed at her latest benign talent as I attempt returning to more pertinent matters at hand.
“Mommy watch!”
I look over to find the pillow balancing atop her head now, a smirk resting across her lips. I laugh, saying another few words of strained encouragement before I try to continue working, getting nothing more than a few letters typed.
“Mommy watch!”
She runs to the center of the room before she starts off clumsily spinning. Small actions that to her seem huge. I dart my view away for a moment, when she files to me directly, capturing my cheeks with both hands and wrinkling her tender nose.
“Mommy watch!”
I get it, finally. Whatever I was working on can certainly wait. There’s dances and tricks and funny faces. Matters much more pressing that need my full attention.
17 Responses
on August 24 2010
We don’t often realize it when we’re so busy being adults, doing adult things that those can wait. Childhood is fleeting and when we can, we need to savor. Every. Moment. Glad she’s persistent enough to make you see. I need that reminder myself too from time to time.
Justine’s latest post: Thank you for keeping my secret
on August 24 2010
I hear “Mommy watch” about a dozen times a day. There are times when I am distracted, but always, when I take time to glance over, she is doing something that makes me smile.
Rudri Patel’s latest post: Let One Thing Go
on August 24 2010
“Mama, see? See Mama?” is our version of Mommy watch. And sometimes, if I’m really distracted, it’s “Mama, HAND!” as he takes my hand and physically tugs me towards whatever he wants me to pay attention to.
It’s true, this time is so fleeting…these little moments are what truly matters in the grand scheme of things.
Crystal @ Semi-Crunchy Mama’s latest post: “Rain Coming”
on August 25th, 2010
@Crystal @ Semi-Crunchy Mama, If I don’t watch quickly enough, she takes my face in her hand and pushes it in her direction. More often than not, though, she simply threatens to pout and that does the trick.
on August 24 2010
I know I have to remember what’s truly important. Sometimes it’s hard for me to put down the “must do’s” to recognize the other “must do’s”.
Cathy’s latest post: Should I Let Them Sleep
on August 24 2010
“Are you lookin’ at me, Mama? Are you?” Too often I’m not. And knowing I should be doesn’t make it any easier to drop everything and focus only on them. (And even then they’d force me to choose.)
on August 25th, 2010
@Kelly, It’s definitely not always easy to drop everything to watch our kid balance a pillow on their head, or any number of other silly stunts. Sometimes, it’s nice to do just that, though.
on August 24 2010
I think I hear your child’s echo way over here, lol. I get that all the time.
Midwest Mommy’s latest post: A Walk to Remember
on August 25th, 2010
@Midwest Mommy, It’s possible. She’s very loud.
on August 24 2010
I get this too. Lots of it. In the form of “Mommy are you listening to me?” I do listen, truly I do, but he talks ALL DAY. I need to focus sometimes on other things. But they certainly have a way of working their way back to the centre of our world don’t they!
Christine LaRocque’s latest post: Behind the blog
on August 25th, 2010
@Christine LaRocque, THAT sounds like my 6yo. He never shuts up. And I have to answer or respond in some way or else he keeps repeating himself.
on August 24 2010
Oh I like this post. I get a lot of this too and am realizing I had better make the most of it as some day all too soon my approval and admiration will not be such a big deal.
on August 24 2010
I bet she was thrilled that you placed all your attention on her! The question is, were you able to get back to your computer? : )
Amber’s latest post: In Other News…
on August 25th, 2010
@Amber, There’s always naptime
.
on August 24 2010
I love (and hate) how kids need all our focus. Not always, sometimes giving in and just watching for a bit satisfies the need for a while. I have one who needs my ears always and another who is pushing me away (literally) from what I am doing to get my arms.
on August 24 2010
That’s a constant soundtrack here too. I admit I can find it irritating, but I am trying to remember it’s just a quick moment of time.
Marilyn (A Lot of Loves)’s latest post: Babysitting- Wednesday of Few Words
on August 25th, 2010
@Marilyn (A Lot of Loves), I can find it irritating sometimes, too. Especially when it’s something so ridiculous and all I want to do is finish what I had started. I have to remind myself just the same.