Saturday, September 01, 2007

A glimpse of the future...

Last night at about midnight, Miss G woke up with a huge scream, which was quickly followed by a series of 3 more equally ear-splitting screams. I went in and saw her standing up in her crib holding her arms out saying "Mama, Maaaaammmmmaaaaa." She looked so miserable and scared.

While I'm on the subject, can I just say that the pain-filled screams, the agony on her face when I first entered the room, and the sadness in her little voice put my stomach into knots. I think that knowing my child is scared or in pain and being able to see and hear that fear so clearly is one of the worst feelings I get as a Mommy. For whatever reason, it always seems so much worse in the middle of the night like that...hearing either of my kids wake up from a dead sleep takes my breath away for a moment.

Anyway, I scooped her up and brought her into our room for a little motrin cocktail. (She is cutting 4 teeth right now and it's the only thing that helps when this happens.) She ended up sitting and snuggling with us for awhile before I put her back to bed. My husband and I had been listening to xm radio through the tv while we were snuggling and talking in bed. Our favorite station is "Lucy" because they play some of our favorite stuff from our college days...U2, INXS, etc. Georgia instantly noticed that the tv was on, but not "on." She seemed pretty confused and kept pointing to the tv, asking "Mooosk?" We'd tell her "Yes, music on the tv," but that still seemed puzzling to her as she undoubtedly tried to figure out where Mickey Mouse was hiding.

Well, that perplexed look on her face completely disappeared when the Beastie Boys song "Intergalactic" came on. Georgia's little bootie started bouncing up and down on the bed, and she started flat out jamming! Chris has always said we're in trouble because she is so much like me that it's scary. (Literally, it's frightening...I wasn't known for being the easiest child.) All three of us had so much fun laughing and singing together -- that song is so funny and it's hard not to tap your toes or shake your bootie. The thing is...

...guess who has always been a major Beastie Boys girl? Yep, me.

Georgia definitely "connected" with this song and she proceeded to giggle and dance her way through the song. At one point, she just naturally put herself nose-to-nose and forehead-to-forehead with me for my favorite line, "I'll stir-fry you in my wok!" We both started cracking up as we separated and Chris said "Oh, my word."

I was a bit of a wild child in my later high school and college years, and I am telling you - it was like Chris and I could both see that our sweet Miss G has that same little "spark." Our challenge will definitely be to keep this girl busy and engaged in things that channel that gleam in her eye into healthy, productive activities.

Otherwise, we're in trouble. Take it from me, I used to be trouble.

6 comments:

Sarah Markley said...

So many of us used to be trouble, I hear you sister. I always wonder that when/if my girls are "trouble", it will have somehow been my fault/a punishment for past sins...oh well. Bridges to be crossed later, I guess.

Earen said...

I just can't see you as a trouble child Tara! You're such a wonderful blessing & have become a dear friend to me now. Thank the Lord for His grace in bringing you back to Himself!

Anonymous said...

"I'll stir fry you in my wok" says it all! Isn't it great when your kids make you laugh? It's always miraculous to me when I begin to see them as PEOPLE... they even get their own senses of HUMOR, for goodness' sake! (why do I expect them to be little "me's?" )

I think as far as future issues go, PRESENT RELATIONSHIPS help TREMENDOUSLY. Invest, invest, invest... just like you're already doing.
I have a 12 year old, almost 13... she is still a joy. Even as she is "becoming," finding out who SHE is, we are all enjoying it. We have no reason to EXPECT to have trouble with our children, that is what the world and it's "wisdom" tells us. So, enjoy... ENJOY!
Jen

Anonymous said...

p.s.
I just realized I had not linked you... I guess I was coming through another blog. But I just did... you're in! :)
Jen

I'm Tara. said...

Oh, Earen -- it's best that you don't know. Ask Renee, she'll tell you that you're better off in the dark on this one. *wink*

Sarah - I have those same thoughts. Thankfully, there are people like Jennifer in the world to make me realize that just because I HEAR that she's just like me doesn't mean she is doomed to making the same mistakes I did. Hopefully, she can learn as much from the "old me" as I did without making the same bad choices. Besides -- I have a feeling that blazing her own trail is just her style.

Emily said...

I was laughing just picturing you two getting her groove on, but even more at Chris. Ben has moments like that quite often where my dorkiness scares him and he has to walk away...good thing he's stuck with me!