Where's My Baby?

The first birthday is fast approaching. I'm so excited and at the same time a little sad. Every time I look at Alyssia now I wonder, where is my little baby? She's growing up so fast. I try to cherish and savor every moment I have with her, knowing how the moments are speeding by, never to return. I often wonder why we forget that. Why do we get wrapped up in things that don't matter and forget to focus on the things that do matter? Why are we so easily distracted by foolishness? I'm so guilty of thinking I don't have time to get on the floor and just play with Alyssia. I have to do the dishes. I have to water the flowers. I have to put away the laundry. I have to slog through mountains of mail. Yes, yes, yes. We have to do all that stuff, but it can wait. She will only be the age she is today! And she's changing so fast. I don't want to miss anything. It may be that I am particularly sensitive to all this because our little Chloe left us so early. And maybe that is one of the gifts she left us. The gift of understanding that what we have is right now. Make it count.

Here we are on a recent trip to the Washington Zoo. Making memories to enjoy. It was a very hot day. The misting machines throughout the zoo saved us from heat exhaustion. Alyssia loved it. She roared at the lions.