Feelings...

Yesterday when I picked-up Ana at daycare she was a bit dismissive of me, and even threw sand at my feet when I tried to approach her. Eventually she warmed up and we walked out to the parking lot hand-in-hand, ready to go home. As I buckled her into her car seat she looked at me thoughtfully and said: "I was sad. Pappi made me sad." I asked her if this is why she threw sand and she said, "Yes." When I asked her why I'd made her sad she reported: "Pappi works too much." Working two jobs this last year has been killer, and now with longer days I'm gone when Ana wakes up in the morning. I leave her notes and we schedule dates together, but it was a good (if not heartbreaking reminder) that all she really wants is more time with Jen and me. Luckily, this too shall pass. My new fall schedule (with just one job) will be much more flexible and afford us more time in the morning again. That said, I do take this conversation as an affirmation of her personality, too. She feels comfortable enough to share her feelings, and both Jen and I validated that it was good for her to tell us how she felt (even though it's not okay to throw sand). Who knew such a little kid could teach us so much!