As anyone who is or has been a parent to a young child will tell you, it is an immensely rewarding experience to watch your child learn and grow, to see the wonder and excitement in her eyes as she discovers the world around her. Her appreciation for the simplest of things can be remarkable at times, and you are certain that there is no sweeter sound than that of your child’s laughter. Your child allows you to once again take notice of the little things that you had begun to take for granted.

“You hear that, Mama? You hear the bird?” Olivia asks excitedly. We are in her bedroom, sitting among a scattered pile of foam building blocks. I am erecting a multi-level tower facing imminent demolition by Olivia-zilla; Olivia has yet to notice the extent of my construction progress as she has been focused on connecting pairs of interlocking pieces. She says she is making hammers.

I pause and listen for this phantom bird. About two seconds later, a crystal clear “tweet.” My eyes dart to meet Olivia’s. Her whole face lights up, and she gives me a big, toothy grin. She nods her head as she answers her own question, “Did you hear that, Mama?”

What once would have been just a bird whose song would have gone unnoticed, or perhaps even considered a nuisance, is now appreciated for its lovely music.

The bird continues to sing outside of Olivia’s bedroom window while, inside, playtime resumes. My tower comes crashing down with the help of a pint-sized wrecking ball, and, as one does in the wake of catastrophe, I begin to rebuild while Olivia deconstructs her earlier-forged tools. My mind lingers on the bird’s song. How pleasant. Wow, she has good ears, I think to myself. Or was I just too busy in my own head to hear it? Hmm.

The adventure of parenting becomes even more enjoyable once your child is able to vocalize her thoughts and feelings and provide commentary on daily events. Olivia, who is, at this moment, just two weeks shy of her second birthday, makes me laugh every day. Every single day. Her expressiveness, creativity, and sometimes just pure silliness make me smile constantly. She is sure to cause me to develop premature smile lines, but I’m okay with that. That would be a small price to pay and simply a reflection of the great joy she brings me on a daily basis.

To give you an idea of what it’s like to have a conversation with Olivia, here are a few excerpts from some of our recent chats:

[My husband comes inside after cutting the grass.]

Olivia: Daddy is stinky.

Me: Yeah. He is, huh?

Olivia: Needs to take a shower.

***

[Olivia and I are cuddling. Her face is inches from mine as she gently rubs her fingers across my cheeks.]

Olivia: Mommy has dirt on cheeks.

Me: No, that’s not dirt, Baby. Those are Mommy’s freckles.

Olivia: Anna freckles.  (as in Anna from “Frozen,” who does, in fact, have freckles)

***

[I am wrapping presents. Olivia picks up a small paper gift bag and leaves the room.]

Olivia: Okay, bye! I gotta go!

Me: Where are you going?

Olivia: To the grocery store!

Me: Oh. What are you going to buy at the grocery store?

Olivia: Kitty-cats. [She comes back in and puts down the bag.] I’m home!

***

Each time Olivia and I have one of these exchanges, I can’t wait to share it with my husband and often with family and friends as well. My co-workers have all heard their fair share of Olivia stories. What parent doesn’t love to brag about their kid? “Conversations with Olivia” should be a fun way to share these stories while preserving these precious memories. Years later, I know I will be glad to have created this chronicle of Olivia’s childhood, and I hope she appreciates and enjoys it, too.

Olivia, this is for you, kiddo.

*I take A LOT of pictures of Olivia and try to snap a photo of her with her dad whenever the moment presents itself, but I wish I had more pictures of her with ME. Like most moms, I tend to be the one holding the camera. A BIG thank you to Cherilyn Haines Photography for capturing the above moment between the two of us (and Lucy the mouse) on film.