Kisses

For the longest time, J and I have been trying to get Genevieve to give us kisses.  We model on her.  We model with each other, which creates the funniest faces from G.  We give her ample time to practice, but kisses to her usually mean the sound made when calling the cat. 

Earlier this week as I was making dinner in the kitchen, J was playing with Genevieve in the family room.  He let out a loud, boisterous laugh, so naturally I asked him what caused such a reaction.  He said G gave him a kiss!  We knew it would happen one day, and that day had finally come.  Sadly, there was no repeat performance. 

Yesterday it was my turn.  G and I were playing, and I asked her for a kiss.  She obliged with a mouth open touching my face kind of action.  A kiss!  I can't even begin to explain the rush of love that raced through my body.  She indulged me several more times throughout the day but ignored her father's requests that evening. 

Today, my birthday of all days, she was disinterested in giving kisses.  J tried to coax one from her when he got home from work.  I told him not to feel bad because she hadn't given me a single one all day.  I was nursing Genevieve to sleep, and she was acting very restless and silly.  At one point she was repeatedly hitting me as she nursed.  She kept getting on and off, so finally I put her milk away.  She kept making the eat sign and pointing at my chest (she refused to make the milk sign anymore).  I obliged after the third frantic request for more milk.  After a few sips, she put her hands on my shoulders, pulled herself up to her knees, and gave me a kiss on my cheek.  I laughed, and Genevieve threw her head back in laughter.  It almost seemed like a thank you for giving in to her request.  Of course since her kiss garnered such a positive response, she kept doing it.  She kissed my nose, my mouth, my cheek again.  I kissed her, which made her squeal. 

Sometimes I get frustrated that getting Genevieve to fall asleep takes so much time and effort, but tonight I was reminded of the worth of that time and effort.  I laid her in her crib where she quickly and soundlessly drifted off to sleep. 

[Okay, okay.  I made that last part up.  Here is the reality if you so desire:  I laid her in her crib where she didn't even make a fuss.  Progress.  I rested my hand on her, and she held on to it.  She kept kicking her feet and moving around a bit.  She stuck her arms and legs through the slats to touch me.  She got one foot stuck, and I had to help her get it back into the crib.  I could see that she wasn't going to fall asleep this way because she is a stomach and side sleeper.  I asked her if she'd like to be on her belly and then flipped her over, patted her back a little, and rested my hand on her as she shifted her body several times trying to get comfortable.  I took my hand away and waited.  She continued to move her legs.  I waited for the cry.  When it didn't come after a minute or two, I quietly left the room.  About two minutes later I heard the cry.  I waited to see if she'd settle, and she did in less than a minute.  Another two minutes pass, and she cries again.  She does this sometimes as she's trying to get to sleep.  She was quiet after less than two minutes, so I didn't go in to comfort her.  Her sleep has improved greatly, and I am thankful for her rest and my time to get things done and fill my own bucket.]