"Belly. Belly."
I look down as Sprite's head nuzzles my abdomen. She's balancing on her toes to reach that high. "What are you doing?"
She lifts my shirt and brings it up and over her head to deliver a kiss right beside my belly button. "Mwah! Mommy's belly."
"Sprite, please don't." I don't feel quite up to the navel nuzzling right now.
I smooth the fabric down before she eases off her toes and settles her chin into the still numb area near the C-section scar she bestowed on me almost three years ago. "Mommy, you belly is soft."
"Your belly is soft too, sweetie."
"Love you, Mommy."
"Love you too, munchkin." The chore she's interrupted can just wait until she's done showering me with affection.
She grins up at me. Her smile is so sweet, it drips sugar. My surly disposition, already softened, begins to melt under the onslaught of warm love emanating from this small girl who just wants to see her mother happy.
Our eyes are locked on each other and I reach down to caress her silken cheeks. Her hands, encircling my waist, draw in and under my shirt once more. She pokes at my belly repeatedly. "You belly is squishy!"
The moment is over.
"My butt needs work too. Want to point that out as well?" I remark.
The snark is not lost on her as she moves to come up behind me and I feel a sharp little finger dig into my left cheek.
"Point!"
I need to work on controlling my snark. She picks up on it way too quickly.
I also need to clip her nails. I think there's a crescent shaped scar on my ass right now.
(According to Sprite, all the crunches I've been doing in Boot Camp classes have been sponsored by Nestle's.)
Amazing how they can completely change our moods in a matter of seconds. Adults just don't possess that same magic.
Posted by: The Dental Maven | July 20, 2009 at 05:53 AM
Ahh, the good times. Wait until your pregnant and she decides she doesn't want to share your lap with someone she can't see that's kicking at her. That's a joy. LG has started poking back.
At least she's honest with you. When you ask "do these shorts make my butt look big?" you know she's not lying to make you feel better...
Posted by: Mama Badger | July 20, 2009 at 07:05 AM
Beeper does the exact same thing. "Mama, I love your arms. They are so squishy!" Umm, thanks kid. I guess if you're going to be squishy, you might as well have someone who loves you for it.
Posted by: Arwen | July 20, 2009 at 07:41 AM
I learned a long time ago to take such comments from small children as compliments. They don't care if you're flabby - it's the nicest thing in the world that Mommy is soft and comfortable and makes them feel secure.
After 26 years of such compliments, I've become so soft and comfortable I could make a small, third world country feel secure...
Posted by: Jan | July 20, 2009 at 08:20 AM
You gotta love how kids have no filter whatsoever... :(
Posted by: Robin | July 20, 2009 at 08:59 AM
Kids fingernails seem to grow at an unnaturally fast rate. My husband is constantly asking, "Don't you clip their nails?" And I'm like, "You go clip their damn nails if it bothers you." "And then he's all...
Actually, it's probably better if I stop right there.
Also, my kids insult my jiggly ass on a daily basis. Parenting is great.
Posted by: blissfully caffeinated | July 20, 2009 at 10:07 AM
I swear all kids go through some kind of training to learn where our vulnerable, don't want to be touched spots are and exploit them. Mine go straight for my stomach or OUCH boobs ALL DAY LONG. Jamie's been playing buffer since my surgery but still, they try to get around him.
Posted by: Casey | July 20, 2009 at 10:27 AM
only a toddler can call his/her mom fat and make it sound cute ;)
Posted by: jenni | July 20, 2009 at 10:32 AM
yeah um, my kids do the same but it is more of a chorus because when princess starts, then here comes little man and they just find it a joke - yeah, kids, love em!
Posted by: Krystal | July 20, 2009 at 11:24 AM
I love the middle paragraph where whe melts you.
Posted by: Pseudo | July 20, 2009 at 12:03 PM
after i gained 15 pounds on paxil, gabriel cme up to me, pulled up my shirt and said, "there's a baby in your belly!" i wanted to cry .... on second thought, i think i did cry. then i switched to zoloft.
Posted by: bex | July 20, 2009 at 01:05 PM
A roller coaster of emotions courtesy of Sprite. You've got to love their brutal honesty. At least she's able to dispense it with love and cuteness.
My c-section scar is still numb too btw and it's almost fifteen years later. I hate touching it, it's just a strange sensation.
Posted by: mrsbear | July 20, 2009 at 02:41 PM
I simply love the fact that The King loves me unconditionally! Squishy butt and belly and all!
Posted by: Kingsmom | July 20, 2009 at 03:12 PM
Argh! The horror of a small person pointing out all your flaws! I have been there done that so many times.
Posted by: The Stiletto Mom | July 20, 2009 at 04:27 PM
I love the honesty of children!!
Posted by: RatalieNose | July 20, 2009 at 06:57 PM
Oh boy, do I ever feel for you! DD loves to point out that I have a big tummy or a big bottom. Preferably at the top of her voice when we're in the changing room of a busy department store.
Posted by: Meowmie | July 20, 2009 at 07:50 PM
ahahahahahahaa! *snort* Ah, those darn kids. ahahahahahahahaha!
Posted by: Rachel | July 20, 2009 at 08:43 PM
I'm so incredibly late but so incredibly glad that I left reading your blog till nighttime. I always leave this place with a grin. I need to boot camp too.
Sigh
I wonder when I'll start...
Posted by: GiGi @ Incrementum | July 20, 2009 at 09:44 PM
Aren't kids so great? So funny?
So not funny! :-)
I know that Jonathan will be doing this to me soon.
The other day my niece, once again, told me I look pregnant. She's such a doll. Really. (NOT).
Posted by: Lisa (jonnysmommy) | July 20, 2009 at 10:12 PM