the SF nest: Luka Mae

I've been sitting with a blank page for awhile now wondering how to express what I'm feeling. What Luka means to me. How much I love her and cherish the opportunity to be her mama. I wish I could capture the sweetness of her spirit in words so those who don't know her could understand how special she is. Roscoe blew into our lives like a tsunami, turning everything upside-down and bringing with him endless charm and adventure. Luka is more of a subtle breeze. She watches it all with rapt attention, mind whirling, imitating us all. She puts on my shoes when she sees them on the ground. She pretends to brush her hair and put her hair clips in. She says "hi" and waves when people come and go. She says "shhhh" every time the dogs bark. She is not happy eating with her fingers and does not want to be fed. She wants to eat with a utensil and bowl like we do and she notices and complains if she is eating something different than we are. She hasn't met a food she didn't like. She does the twinkle, twinkle with her hands whenever music plays and bounces and sways. She gives sloppy kisses on her own accord and gives a shy sideways smile when her Daddy talks to her. She adores her brother and generally copies whatever he does. If he is hopping around in a paper bag, she is trying to get into the bag herself to join the fun. If he is circling the island in their Flinstone car, she is hanging on the back, her little legs running to keep up as she squeals with delight. She tries to ride Roscoe's choochoo train, his bike, his scooter, whatever she has seen him ride. She climbs into the Flinstone car and lounges, content whether or not someone pushes her around. She loves taking baths and will try to dive into the bathtub whether or not there is water in it. Sometimes she yells just to sit in her stroller in the living room. She does this thing when she is really happy where she crinkles her nose and makes little snorty sounds. Some babies have a boisterous clap, but not Luka. She has the gentlest, daintiest clap ever clapped. She has the sweetest tiny birthmark on her wrist that I love, love, love and love to kiss. I never imagined I would have a daughter and now that I've met her I cannot imagine not having her in my life. She has brought layers of depth and love and fun into our home and though the days are passing too quickly for me, I am still excited to see what the next year brings and how much better I will know her by her second birthday.

one month