Toddler Body

As I watch my child grow, I cannot help but notice all she is learning, absorbing, regurgitating every minute of every day.  Sometimes, I watch Celaya do things like tilt her head to one side and smile, that I know she got from me.  Other times, she lays down on the ground and makes the snoring sound, "ha shoo," that her auntie taught her.  Later, she'll demand "patio patio patio patio" (a word she learned from her father), and then go in search of her "uncle-uh" at his window from the outside where she has taken to giving him kisses through the screen.  She is growing so fast in so many ways, and lately I have really come to notice the change in her shape.

She has that classic toddler body now: bowed back, round puffed out butt because of the diaper, full round belly extending down from a more and more elongated chest and ribs.  Her chubby things and chubby arms just invite nibbling and caressing.  Her length seems to be stretching out daily, with legs dangling long past our waists now when we hold her in our arms.  She fits perfectly on my hip as I rush about trying to accomplish tasks that she cannot imagine allowing me to do with both arms free.

This shape is a really odd one though.  Toddler body.  Upon dissecting it, part by part, in attempting to spell out just how cute it is, I realize that it really is only cute all together -- and only on a toddler.

As I was noticing this adorable, cherubic, squishy, soft shape on my 16 month old daughter, as she tipped her head back and smiled her brilliant toothy smile at me, full lips above a double chin, I was simultaneously reflecting on the fact that it has been over a month since I have exercised with the intention of exercising.  That is, exercise other than chasing her little toddler body around the house or outside, other than running errands, other than cleaning house, other than the day to day.  In addition to this I was reflecting on how marvelous all of the wonderful food experiences have been in the last month with all the traveling I have been doing and all of the visitors we have had at the house.

And then I turned, and looked, and there it was, staring back at me from the mirror.  I was in underwear and a bra, getting ready for a shower, so it was unavoidable and undeniable.

Toddler body.

Needless to say Celaya and I added a 20 minute uphill walk to the park to our morning routine the very next day.

And I have sworn off salt water taffy as a regular snack.