you're never fully dressed without a smile

Who cares what they're wearing
On Main Street,
Or Saville Row,
It's what you wear from ear to ear
And not from head to toe
(That matters)
-From the musical, Annie

I have really enjoyed these past few days of spending "alone" time with my angels, without daddy, without interruption; just the three of us. Don't get me wrong, I miss my hubby terribly...but this has been nice. Ya know, I always guilt myself for missing out on most ALL of Mark Patrick's infanthood. Almost 2 years after, I still feel terrible.
I went back to work 5 weeks after he was born, got a promotion at work shortly after (like within a few weeks), and started working second shift: 1-9:30 PM. We HAD to have the money. I HAD to move up at work. I HAD to be a Supervisor. I just HAD to...HAD to. How could I pass up a possibility like this? I remember other mothers asking me, "How could you do that with small children?", "Don't you feel like a terrible person asking your husband to do so much?", "Don't you think this will affect MP in the long run, not having his mommy to put him to sleep at night?" "I could never do that to my kids," they would say.
I cringed each and every time-with every question-with every statement these other mommies made. They just wouldn't stop. It was constant.
Fast forward to present day.
Mark Patrick, he'll be 2 in March, ya know. He's resilient, happy, healthy, funny, clumsy (man is he clumsy!) and such a tender heart. He's turning out alright, isn't he? He's meeting his milestones, huh? Yes, he is. Full speed ahead-that little one.
Last night, we had such a fantastic evening planned. We were gonna make chicken tacos, cupcakes, watch 'Annie' and wait for Gamma to over and spend the night. Well, only 'Annie' ended up happening. But so did this amazing moment...
MP and I were huddled up on the couch with Norie and Rox. Man had his banket (aka blanket for those that do not speak toddler), pah-tee (passy) and paayow (pillow); leaning against me, smelling like sweet babies do after a bath. Suddenly, he turns to me, takes the passy out, and out of no where says, "Mama, see ya nose? Mama, see ya nose?"
"What's wrong with my nose, buddy?"
"Boodger? You got a boodger?"
umm, i think i'm alright in the booger department, man. nothing to see here.
I now have a little pointer finger dive-bombing my nostril, or my left nose as I like to call it.
Giggling, I tell him, "Ouch, man! Get that panger outta my nose!"
He's laughing now. His finger is now in his left nose, and oh yeah...he's got something. Before I know it, that little finger is dive-bombing me again (all while, "You're never fully dressed without a smile!" is blaring through the surround sound from 'Annie'.) He inserts his booger into my left nose. NO WAY! A little graphic, but nonetheless true.
"AAAHHHHH," I playfully scream while wiping my nose. "MAN, I no wantcher boodgers!"
He's in hysterical hyena laugh mode by now. He can't keep it together...at all. He's drooling, face is red and squishy, can't catch his breath, just laughing. That sweet, sweet sound of laughter.
My eyes are closed, soaking it all in. Sissy is laughing with us now, too. Roxee has moved away from us. She's thinking, How dare you interrupt my sleep?

"HONK, HHHOOOONK!" he says while pinching my nose.
He's so handsome.
He's making it.
He knows his mama.
I didn't ruin him by not being there to put him to sleep every night.
He's happy.
He's healthy.
He's clumsy...silly clumsy.
He's laughed himself off the couch now. Squealing with delight. As his head pops back up, he steals my sugars. "I uh yew!" spills out of his toddler mouth.
Yep, he's gonna be just fine.

"You're never fully dressed without a smile!" :)