My Little Watcher

Bella is a watcher. She can get pretty shy and has a habit of being quite cautious of who she chooses to interact with. She has absolutely no problem letting you know if you are a little too close to her boundary line. Ever since she was a baby, she has had a very specific process of selection when it comes to new people. She studies situations rather than rushing into any decisions. But once you are in with Bella, good luck getting rid of her.

She has started to pick up on things much quicker than I am probably prepared for. I had her with me last Wednesday when we went to the United Baptism Bash. Bella thinks its just about the coolest thing ever to see her Daddy up on the huge screens. She loves the lights and definitely the music. We were standing in the back to avoid her from trying to rush the stage to get to Andy. One of my favorite worship songs started to play and I was so thrilled to hear it. In the moment I had my eyes closed and one hand in the air. I figured she wouldn't wander too far from me while my eyes were closed being that she is a pretty cautious kid. Next thing I know I felt the gentle touch of a tiny hand wisp across my knee. I looked down and there was Bella, one hand in the air and the other covering her eyes...kind of. Once she saw me looking down to her, it was time for her to show me how good she was at singing just like Mommy was. She started to sway side to side, waiving her little hand in the air and for the final touch she began to move her mouth as if she knew the words to the song. It was such a classic moment. She was so serious.

There are so many things I am sure throughout her life that she will see me do wrong. There are so many things that I can't even fathom being able to teach her. I fear for the day when Bella wants help with her homework...I hardly even showed up for high school!! (Proud times for my parents I am sure...) I am the first to admit that I have absolutely no clue how to raise a child, especially such a strong-willed, little too smart for her own good, sassy child. But watching her mimic me with such intensity and hope that I would be proud of her made me realize that even if I don't know how to teach her all of the big things that life will being her way, maybe the small, simple things that I can show her are just as important. Maybe I can do this afterall...