My Laney

Delaney is my baby girl. She can drive me nuts-and I mean seriously and clinically crazy but I can't be without her. She's complicated--so, so complicated. And exhausting and demanding. And absolutely wonderful in a million ways. And there's no one like her-that I can guarantee.

Laney is incredibly sensitive. If I cough, she asks me--Mommy, are you okay? Are you sick? She asks me everyday--Mommy, are you happy? Are you sad? If I yawn, she'll say--Mommy, are you sleepy?-You go nite-nite. She kisses the 'boos' (freckles) on my forehead and brings me bandaids. She rubs my back and gives me kisses on my cheek.

Laney has a great sense of humor. She'll walk around the house, saying--Mommy, look, look I'm Elliot. While sucking on his binky and baby talking. She loves to make us laugh. And when she's happy, she's soooo happy--there's no one that I would rather be around. Her happiness is contagious and wonderful.

And she needs me-more than anyone probably ever will. She tells me repeatedly throughout the day--Mommy, don't go away. Don't leave me. When she's riding in her stroller, she shouts--MOMMY, MOMMY, I can't see you, I want to see you, where are you?? Her neediness is tiring-even on a good day. But I know that it won't last. As much as she wants to be by my side every hour of every day, in ten years or so, I'll be wishing that she still wanted me so close to her.