Grace: Mama, what is baby Cameron doing?
Me: I'm glad you asked Gracie. Cameron is practicing crawling. See how he is up on his knees, that's the early stages of crawling. Remember how we saw baby George and Evie on the weekend and they were crawling?
Grace: Why are they doing that?
Me: Well, when you learn to crawl you can get from point a to point b by yourself.
Grace: Don't those babies have staff Mama?
Me: Staff?
Grace: Yeah, you know, people you command to do stuff for you. Like you and Dad.
Me: Ummmm
Grace: I used to call you "minions" but baby Lydia said that was a bit rude, so I upgraded you to "staff".
Me: Ummmm
Grace: Yeah I like minions better too. Anyway, why do I need to move myself when I can just get you to get stuff for me?
Me: You raise a good point Grace.
Grace: Mama?
Me: Yes Grace?
Grace: Get me that toy will you, and then I want a snack.
Me: Yes Grace.
Turning 50 is a weird milestone - I dont feel 50, and I dont really put a lot of weight behind milestone numbers. But I do like reflecting on life, and I feel I have grown, learnt from many of my mistakes, and lived a pretty great life. The biggest change is watching just how much Grace has grown this year. Today I washed some of her baby clothes that I found so I can store them and it took me right back to when my whole clothes line had tiny little outfits on it. This year, she everything has changed and I am in so much grief for the loss of some of the old routines, it hurts!! She is still my little button and I see that side of her when she is unsure or overwhelmed. I need to manage my patience through these growing phases, as my sister said "give her space and grace". She is the kindest, funniest and sweetest girl and I love her so much that it honestly hurts. I hope she knows that. She seems to have all my worst moments front of mind that I wonder at times if she sees ...