My sweet thang

As I watch Zoe grow up, it amazes me at how sweet she is ... I love that she loves to cuddle, kiss, hug and show affection without you even asking for it.  Sure she kisses on command, but she also kisses just because she feels like kissing you.  It's the BEST.  I love it when she hugs me and taps her fingers behind my neck or my back ... the thing she does with her fingers (which I realized I do as well without even knowing it) is so soothing and really makes you feel loved =).  I also love that we can cuddle together on the bed for hours on end (if I didn't know better that's how we would be spending all our days together hahaha).  I love that when she's falling asleep next to me, she wants to face me and hug me and sometimes, she'll even make sure her cheek is next to my cheek as she sleeps. I love that she enjoys nuzzling her face in the crook of my neck.  I love that she gets gigil with you all on her own and ends up tackling you with kisses and hugs and pinches to your cheeks. I love that she always says please (peas) and thank you (tek yu or tek yu match)  I love that she's so affectionate with everyone she hangs out with.  I love that she's so generous with her love =).

Every time my mom or family babysits her, they rave about what a sweet little girl she is ... I'm constantly getting complimented for raising such a sugary delight. Do I really have anything to do with it?  I wonder -- is it inborn or something that's learned?  When Jeric was little, he was a kissing monster as well ... I guess it's a little bit of both ... the child learns how to express love through the people in her surroundings but she also has to have it in her to want to give you a kiss or hug.

However, Zoe does have a sour side to her.  Mike and I joke that she's a sour patch kid.  Although she's mostly sweet than sour, she does have her moments where she misbehaves or has an attitude.  What do you expect -- she's only 21 months =) ...

I'm just grateful that I have a daughter who loves to love on me -- I just hope (and pray) that she won't outgrow all the sweetness that's in her and that as an adult, her acts of affection won't just include hugs and kisses, but also generosity, sincerity, understanding, selflessness and kindness.

So for now, I'll take full advantage of my little sweet thang and will gorge myself in her kisses and hugs and "yah yah's" (love ya's) =)

My sweet little girl in this year's Halloween costume