my little bird

this morning i awoke to "mommmmmmy, i'm poooooooopy." across the hall. which was good, actually, because it meant that owen had actually slept in his own bed all night and was, well, becoming more aware of poop which is that much closer to potty training. so i go into his room and no, he wasn't poopy, "just soggy". so as i was changing him while he stayed snuggled up in his bed i noticed his legs were cold and rubbed them until they warmed up and went back to bed and owen stayed in his own bed. at around 6:30 he comes into my room: mom, is it morningtime yet? no, i answered, but come snuggle me until morning. and he does and as he nestles his way under the covers he says quietly before falling back into dusk sleep, mom, thanks for warming up my legs.

so it's no wonder that on our way out to our preschool commute (we snuck in a full "practice" day before both owen and mommy start school this fall) tears were fogging up my sunglasses as we sung along to elizabeth mitchell's you are my little bird--i agree with this review :

I can't discuss this album without mentioning Mitchell's voice, which is the sweetest and best voice in kids' and family music today. The crystal-clear quality of her voice not only is pleasant to hear, it's also essential to understanding the lyrics so you can then sing the songs to the kids in your life.

yet my misreading of that was, to sing the songs into your kids' life which is the same, but different. for me, it's her cover of what i believe was originally a french ballad, which goes like this:

If you listen you can hear
Birds sing and flowers grow
If you listen you can hear
My love for you just grow

In the silence that's around
Deep peace and love are found
In the days that will be here
My love will call you loud and clear

And in the silent place
Where loneliness is found
I'll wander through the open door
To look for you
There in that magic land
That lies beyond the clouds
Floating on the sea of dreams
I'll sing to you

and it's simple and gorgeous just as unconditional love should be--and i wanted to sing it as a promise, that always always i'll sing this to you, always. and i'm not trying to be monumental here about preschool, but i have this sense that this is just the beginning of the separations, and that it doesn't get easier, but i'll sing nonetheless, even if i have to sing quieter.

mind you, while owen was busy reading chicka chicka abc and adjusting to montessori routine i wasn't pining away. i took advantage of the calm before the storm and had brunch at simple's in riverside--those readers who are familiar know there's nothing better than that ceramic coffee mug and a bacon and spinach omelet (or take your pick--homemade chicken apple sausage, the chewiest freshest bagels, the decadent sourdough french toast, or the winter omelet with those amazing carmelized onions) in that booth by the window. then over to tiggy's where i scored some fabulous wardrobe finds for great prices. and when i went to pick up owen, here's what i found: