kara

Last week Sophie and I met Tari, Whitney, Lauren, Christine and Connor at Claddagh Irish Pub for lunch in Newport. Sophie tried to eat her mashed potatoes like a grownup, with a fork.

“Seriously, Mom, do you have to take a picture of me when I’m hanging out with my friends? Not cool.”

Then we walked across the Newport Southbank Bridge (more commonly known as the Purple People Bridge).

Sophie immediately fell asleep.

Then we went to Sawyer Point park.

Connor, Whitney and Lauren loved sitting on the grass. Sophie, however, sat on my lap, clinging to me every time I moved, terrified a blade would touch her.

There was a small snack spill, but all three girls ate them anyhow.

We ended up being out for almost four hours—it was a lovely afternoon.

“The hardest thing in life is to know which bridge to cross and which to burn.” —David Russell

What is that?

It’s Dad! Playing a trumpet! In his pajama pants!

I love dinnertime.

Do you hear him, Tucker?

All I do is stick my tongue out, right?

“Life is something like a trumpet. If you don’t put anything in, you won’t get anything out.” —William Christopher Handy

Kyle and Christina were recently in town for a wedding so Andy and I invited them over for a vegan lunch. We made Spiced Rice with Mango and Cashews, Gado Gado, and Avocado and Pistachio Salad. Sophie tried two of the three salads and loved them. We didn’t give her any Gado Gado, because it had peanuts and she hasn’t had peanuts yet—we’re a bit torn as to when to give them to her for the first time.

After lunch Sophie showed Christina all her toys …

… and grumpily sat on Uncle Kyle’s lap.

My mom and dad joined us, too!

Sophie says, “Come back soon!”

“The love for all living creatures is the most noble attribute of man.” —Charles Darwin

Last weekend was very busy. Mom and Dad took me so many places! Sunday night we went to Greg and Jenna’s house for a party—and I finally got to meet William (an older boy!). He’s Nate and Susan’s son.

I hung out with Dara …

… swung with Dad on the hammock …

… and played in the fountain with Mom.

Here’s Nate catching up with Jenna.

And Mandy holding Zoey.

William played golf with Mark (and he let me play with his club when he was done!).

My good friend Connor came, too.

The best part of the evening was when I found a balloon.

“My friends are my estate.” —Emily Dickinson

Last weekend we also celebrated my cousin’s daughter’s 4th birthday. Here she is showing off her beautiful new birthday sandals (and pretty party dress!).

Sophie got to play in a sandbox for the first time.

And while Amanda opened her presents, Sophie was beside herself with excitement—so many toys! And kids! And balloons! At one point Sophie sat up on her knees, clenched her little fists in front of her, arched her back and smiled the hugest smile, she was so happy.

After cake with pink frosting …

… Sophie watched Grandpa play some cornhole.

Here’s Amanda’s sister, Autumn, taking her turn at the pinata.

Sophie slept well on the way home.

“Very early, I knew that the only object in life was to grow.” —Margaret Fuller

Last weekend Sophie finally got to meet my old childhood friend, Tricia, along with her boyfriend Len. We were best friends in kindergarten—I moved away the summer after. But after all these years, we still keep in touch.

“It takes a long time to grow an old friend.” —John Leonard

“It is as grandmothers that our mothers come into the fullness of their grace.” —Christopher Morley

“Everything is blooming most recklessly; if it were voices instead of colors, there would be an unbelievable shrieking into the heart of the night.” —Rainer Maria Rilke

My mom warned me about this. At the time, I totally ignored the warning and, instead, got that intense, tingly, I-can’t-wait-to-be-a-mother feeling that overcomes women of childbearing age upon hearing warnings like this so as to ensure our species lives on.

Lately, when I’m trying to get something done and that something isn’t Sophie-related, Sophie pulls out the timeless, one-year-old-knee-clutch trick. It’s typically combined with a combination of “mama, mama, mama” and whining. The whining varies. Sometimes it’s “uh, uh, uh, uh, uh, uh, uh” or “uhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh” (breath) “uhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.”

She can’t yet hang on while I walk (which I hear is coming). So usually I explain to her that she’s going to have to wait. I unclasp her hands from my legs, put her on the floor and surround her with 10 toys, 12 books, a sippy cup and Cheerios—sometimes I even call Tucker for further entertainment. The child is fast. I swear, not five seconds go by and she’s flung all her “entertainment” across the room and she’s clutching my knee acting as if her very world is collapsing (and, to be fair, in her limited life experience, it probably feels like it is—I mean, when the worst part of your day is being thirsty and not being able to express it or having to go through yet another diaper change, the minor must seem quite major).

And it’s hard. I don’t want to cater to her whining. But I also don’t think she’s quite old enough to understand “Sophie, don’t whine” yet. And I want her to know that when she’s lonely or sad or just wants some company that she should come to me. That’s why I’m her mom. That’s why I’m home. That’s why I fall for her pull-her-favorite-book-and-drag-it-over-to-me-so-I-can-pull-her-on-my-lap-and-read-it-to-her trick every time. And the knee clutch, if I’m really honest, is endearing, at times. But the whining … I know. I was warned.

“If evolution really works, how come mothers only have two hands?” —Milton Berle

Grass, again? OK, I’ll hug Corduroy extra tight to help make me brave.

First I’ll touch this side.

Now I’ll touch this side.

And both sides. This being brave stuff can be really hard.

Enough! I hate it! Pick me up!

“To me a lush carpet of pine needles or spongy grass is more welcome than the most luxurious Persian rug.” —Helen Keller