A Day Full of Hugs and Kisses

What a great day! I love days that are just easy. This was one of those stress-free days you long for in a Saturday. We went to the mall this morning together. Tessa loves malls (she is just like her momo (she says it like mom-moe)). One of her favorite things to do is throw money into the fountain. And I love how pennies are just as exciting as nickels! :) We happened to walk by a silk flower display. Tessa loves flowers. She calls them fluflies no matter how many times we tell her they are f-l-o-w-e-r-s. I think she figures those bits of information are mere suggestions for her to take or leave at her discretion. Anyway, she loves to smell flowers--even if they're fake. She always says, "Mmmmmm!"

Today was a day full of hugs and kisses because Tessa must have given Anthony and I a thousand. She is normally very choosey with her affection. She never gives what is asked for. But today, she constantly requested hugs and kisses by grabbing our pant legs and saying, "hugs". Each hug is usually followed by a kiss. So I thouroughly enjoyed the sweet affectations of my little angel today.

She also talked on the phone for the first time today. Usually, if you hold the phone up to her ear, she just freezes with a look of wonder on her face quickly followed by a quizical stare at the receiver as if there is someone in there she didn't know about. Today, however, she spoke to her Memaw (which I am sure Memaw treasured). While Tessa spoke, a look of surprise and delight came over her features--like a light came on and it clicked that there was actually someone there to talk to. Anthony and I watched with rapt smiles on our faces as we ourselves realized we were witnessing our daughter's first phone conversation. Firsts are so fun! And let me tell you, they are happening a lot around here.

One example of a first happened on Valentine's Day. We all went sledding together. Out of all the pushing, hauling, sliding, and spinning, I think Tessa enjoyed 5 seconds. She did let out a weak little "weeee" that quickly died out. Like the fun she thought she might have been starting to have. She learned the word "slippery" which she calls "shlippy". She also spent a lot of time being concerned that there was snow on her precious pink cowboy boots. What can I say? The girl loves shoes. Just like her momo. And so we come full circle.