Growing Pains

As I sit here to type this post, my house is quiet. It's almost eerie to hear the sound of silence. I miss the sounds of laughter and the sound of my daughter asking in her angelic voice, "Please, Mama, will you put the big pink necklace on me." Avari is staying away from home for the first time. She is going to spend the night with my parents. We are laying wagers on whether she'll call for us to come get her. I suppose we'll have our answer in about an hour.

I am torn between two feelings. On the one hand, I am sad that I will not be tucking my baby in for bed tonight for the first time in her 2 1/2 year old life. On the other hand, I am so excited for her because I remember nights spent with my grandparents. It was a treat always eagerly anticipated and one that I still look back on with the fondest of memories.

I suppose we have waited longer than most to take this step. Maybe it has something to do with the fact that we don't really have many urges to do things that don't include Avari. Perhaps, it is because we did all of that for so many years before she came along that we got it out of our systems. Possibly, we wanted her so much and for so long that even missing one night with her seems a sacrifice of that which we longed for and are so thankful to have. Maybe it is just an acquired taste.

Whatever the reason, I know that Avari will enjoy this time with her MiMi and Pop. It will be good for her and probably good for us if for no other reason than we will enjoy having her home again that much more tomorrow.

So, does anyone care to wager on who will be more homesick - us or Avari? I suppose I've already given you the answer to that one. The winning bet would be on me. I suppose it's just hard work for a girl to raise her parents. I sure hope we turn out OK. I want to make my little girl proud!

Sweet dreams!