One Simple Word

It is amazing to me that a little person who has spent a mere 20 months in this world has so completely figured me out that she can melt my heart with a single word...

Every night after reading to Layla and rocking her for a few minutes, the last words I utter before laying her down for the night are "I love you." We have had this routine for months, since she was 4 months old to be exact. I love that time with her, just Mommy and Layla, in the quiet, without any distractions, frustrations or stress. I had been so used to never hearing anything in return other than typical baby cooing. Even when she learned to talk, she somehow knew that bedtime was our quiet time and so she never said much. It was simple and I was happy to know that the last words she heard from me before falling asleep each night were "I love you."

About a week ago, Layla and I were on our own for the first time while Matt traveled for work. It was only a couple of days and though I was not looking forward to it, I knew we could manage. I did my best to ensure that our days were very normal so that Layla would not be too upset by Daddy's absence. I, of course, was feeling the stress of having my hubby away and I think my little, intuitive girl picked up on it much more easily than I would have liked. As that first day wound down and we went through our bedtime routine, my mind was elsewhere. Then as I laid her down and told her I loved her, she smiled up at me ever so sweetly and said "too."

I don't think any word will EVER mean so much to me and that is exactly what I love about being a mommy.