A while back I wrote about the hello hug that Toddler Boy doles out joyfully each every day that he is picked up from my house. It is a true sight to behold, and very sweet and endearing. I try to just enjoy that and not think too much about it. But I'll admit, every day, there is a little ping deep inside my heart: I never get those kinds of hugs from my own Baby Girl. In some tiny, itty-bitty way, I feel sad, like I am missing out on something. But then I recall that the reason I don't get those hugs is because I am with her all the time, and by staying home with her I get to see and experience other things I would have missed had I been in an office environment. I would rather experience everything throughout the day than one beautiful hug at the end of the day.

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Last Wednesday morning we had an opportunity in our family for Baby Girl to spend the morning with her daddy and his parents. Husband had the week off since my in-laws were in the midst of moving, and Husband offered to take Baby Girl with him for a few hours in the morning while he helped his parents. He got her coat and shoes on, and began loading her in the carseat. I stood in the doorway leading to the garage, watching and waiting to say good-bye. All the while Husband was buckling Baby Girl in, she was calling out unprompted sentiments to me:

Good-bye, Mommy! See you soon! I love you, Mommy! Bye bye! Love you! Bye! See you soon, Mommy! Good-bye, Mommy!

And then she started blowing me kisses.

Man, did the tears pile up in my eyes! It was one of the sweetest and funniest moments I've had with Baby Girl.

As they pulled out of the driveway and I stood waving madly and throwing kisses, I thought That's my hello hug. That's what that feels like.