In two days my baby will be ONE. And even though my little one has been an independent spirit since the day she was born, yesterday she clung to me and only wanted me to play with her. So we had A Day.
First, she decided pants were not necessary:
a girl after my own heart
Then, we explored that mysterious place between the toy chest and the baby gate:
turns out, it was kind of a let down
After that, I decided it was time to mix things up with a dance party:
do I have pants on? You’ll never know.
Dancing is exhausting, so we took a nap just like we used to do when she was fresh and new:
Rigby and my gross eye joined us
I know as my baby gets older, the days when she’ll want to play with me, dance to silly songs, and snuggle will be few and far between. She’s growing so fast (I can only guess how much she weighs now), and all too quickly she’s going to want to only be with her friends.
So on the days she’ll let me, I’m going to hold her close and dance, and drink her all in.
Sally says:
So very, very sweet. We like no pants days around here as well. Means I can look at my little boys chubby wubby thighs.
xo
karen says:
You’ve got lots of time left still to dance!
My daughter is 7, she still wants to play with me all weekend, snuggles every morning and night, dances with me often (and Dad too), and as shes just that little bit older prefers pj days.
I hope that you find she is one who takes her time about growing up!
Audra says:
I agree…you’ve got LOTS of dance time left. My almost three year old still lets me rock her to sleep sometimes. Her ped. thinks this is a bad idea…on this topic her ped. can take a trip to that dark, fiery place because I don’t care…I’m going to rock my baby to sleep. My little girl, too, is not a big fan of pants. While she goes pantless I wear pj bottoms and feel noble that I’m so overdressed.
Jayne says:
I agree with everyone above, I’ve got this feeling that you and Annie will have one of those reationships where pantsless-dance-party-snuggle-days will be happening for many years to come. My little girl is 2 an a half and we have no intention of giving up days like this any time soon!
P.S. Thanks for giving us a little glimpse of Annie’s gorgeous chunky little legs again, they just make us all want to NOM her!
Elizabeth says:
Must be a girl thing; my daughter loves to not wear pants too! She’s 2 1/2 and still loves to dance and snuggle. Happy almost birthday to Annie! Have a wonderful weekend celebrating.
Sue says:
You both look beautiful, in these pics, Heather,,,,,whether or not you’re wearing pants!!LOL I have a very good feeling that Annie’s days, of not wanting to have much to do with you, are going to be very few, and far between!! Her Mommy and Daddy are just too much fun!!!!
Deborah says:
Absolutely. Adorable.
Tracey says:
My girls are 10 and 12 and they both love to spend time with me. It’s what you do during the time spent together that changes.
My 12 y/o loves pedicures and that’s our thing. My 10y/o just loves to cuddle.
Annie is so cute and I’m looking forward to birthday party pictures.
Jenny says:
I.Could.Eat.Her.UP! She is so adorable. I have an almost-two-year-old and I too, think it goes way too fast. Dance, dance dance!
Libby says:
We often have to explain to people that our home is a pants optional household.
Lisa says:
That is the perfect kind of day. A girl and her mom, hanging out, enjoying each other. The best part, pants are optional (the girl is smart)!
Love and hugs.
Kristin says:
What a wonderful day!
Skye says:
I have a feeling Annie will indulge you with many more dance parties and cuddles over the years. You are an awesome mommy!
Anjie says:
Both this post and Mike’s were so remarkably sweet. I’m glad you both are able to enjoy this wonderful milestone with Annie. Your family is so beautiful!
Elizabeth says:
Such amazing pictures, glad you 2 had an amazing day.
Kristin says:
My 4 month old daughter Claire often feels that pants are not necessary. Shirts as well, for that matter. Good thing she gets buttoned into her shirts, and can’t take them off yet. When she can, I can just imagine the shenanigans she’ll get into.
Elle says:
Pants are so overrated anyway. Such a beautiful moment. She really is such a beautiful little girl and I love seeing the pure joy on her face during your dance party, and yours.
Jenny says:
I was WONDERING if you had pants on! Ha! And then you said it. How I love your sense of humor!
The time is so amazing.
If it makes you feel better my 6 year old daughter still likes to cuddle and spend time with me. I think if you are a cool and loving mommy (which you ARE) you’ve got lots of year left being the center of her world.
Though, I’m not looking forward to the insanity of tween years.
Thanks for the reminder Heather!
Trisha Vargas says:
The naps, gotta love the naps!
Great way to spend your day, love it
((((HUGS))) from Florida
Dana says:
Thank you for reminding me of how fast it all goes and to appreciate every moment…even the moments when I want to pull my hair out. My 2nd child, Isabella, was born in December and I find myself wishing for the weeks to pass so she will grow out of the fussy-gassy newborn stage. Reading your blog each day is the kick in the head I need to just stop and enjoy her…gas and all.
Kelly says:
At 4 1/2, Mea still occaisionally will fall asleep on me. Although she was much easier at Annie’s age to pick up and put into bed, I love those snugglie naps we get to take together.
Jenn says:
Some kids NEVER loss it Heather. My son is 13 and he is our “little gentle soul”. He tells us he loves us every day, a couple of times a day at times. My daughter who is 11 still hugs me several times a time (if SHE is in the MOOD) and LOVES, LOVES, LOVES having a Mommy & Daughter evening or date together. I feel so lucky b/c I have 2 boys with a girl in the middle. My boys are more affectionate overall but my daughter is a little loving, spit fire. I adore them all. I do however, feel like I’m missing a daughter from my set since I’ve always wanted 4.
Any ways, my point….Annie might just surprise you!!! Cannot tell you how much my little Sydney has! Enjoy your time as you know “Babes Don’t Keep”! (sniff, Sniff). 2 days to go….
Glenda says:
sounds like a terrific day!
Kristin (MamaKK922) says:
Dance baby. As long as she wants to dance. And that day will come. But even someday when she is a little older she will still want to cuddle. My 6 year old still has her days and I cherish every second of them.
katrina says:
Mine stop “dancing” with me at around…oh, I’d say age 11 or 12. It’s those damn “tween” years when they begin to realize that they are just too cool to boogie down with mom. And it sneaks up on you, this attitude change, so you really never know it’s happening until one day your realize that they stop running INTO the room where music is playing loudly when it’s obvious that you are having a musical “moment” — and instead they run OUT. One day you just notice that instead of an admiring look, you get the dreaded “eye roll”. And you think to yourself…when did THIS happen?
monica says:
those are great pics! I love those cheekers of hers. So missing taking naps with my bubbies, enjoy while it lasts!
Meg...CT says:
Sweetest picture of the three of you napping….Peace.
Lynnette says:
What a wonderful day together. Happy early birthday, Annie!
michelle in MO says:
I live in a pants are optional household. It’s great! LoL! Happy almost Birthday Annie, Annie’s mommy and Annie’s Daddy. I’ve always wondered why the kid always gets all the attention on birthdays. The parents did all the work! Well, especially mom, but dads get the emotional roller coaster. *hugs to you all from snowy MO*
Hawkfeather says:
Hey Heather- I have some sort of weird predisposition to getting sty’s…
I can tell ya without a doubt that my mom learned a sure fire remedy for healing my face.
and it is tea bags- if you brew a cup of tea and take the warm (not hot) tea bag and put it on your eye until it cools. and do this a few times.. you have a real good shot at it not developing into a chalazion (which is the permanent lumpy)..
Even knowing this- my 12 year old got a sty that i somehow missed (bad mommy) and now he is trying to decide if my bribery and a life free of face bumps is worth tools in and around his eye while awake..
if you are brave.. the procedure to remove a chalazion can be found on youtube.
I am glad you had a great day with your beautiful and growing girl.. and i was terrified watching them grow- it was so fast i just wanted to cling to them and hie.. but ya know it has only ever gotten better. and i get snuggles galore.
Colleen says:
Love her! And I love days like that with my baby!
Rebecca says:
Did I miss the post about your gross eye? (You called it gross first)
Sloane Reed says:
Thank you so much for sharing your life with us!
Neeroc says:
She is so beautiful! and that nap picture brought tears to my eyes, how simply adorable, and the thought of baby snuggles…
Wendy says:
OMG! she is too cute for words! i love the relationship you two have! it’s amazing and special! have a great time with her birthday! thinking of you in arizona!
AmazingGreis says:
Yaye for dancing!! And no pants!!
Brenda (mamabegood) says:
And I’m thinking … who IS her personal photographer that follows her around?!
Love this! And reporting from the almost-7 year old boy mission control … we STILL dance pantless together. And will continue to for a LONG time.
Heather says:
Heather,
This was absolutely beautiful! The title you gave this particular post reminds me of a song that I feel you and Mike would both appreciate, “Freeze Frame Time” by Texas country singer Brandon Rhyder. Hopefully it will bring a smile to your face! Hope sweet Annie has a spectacular birthday party!
Ray says:
Beautifully written and beautiful photos. I love that you dance with her, and the wonderful memories you write about of her, that she will get to look back on. Annabel is one of the luckiest little girls in the world (and Maddie too)! TRULY!!!