Maura

To understand Maura is to recognize that while only four, she is a very complex person. There are many layers to this onion. And what an onion she is. She can be so sweet, but in an instant can make you cry. She is a free spirit, highly energetic, very opinionated and remembers EVERYTHING.

So you get a better idea of her, here are some Maura stories.

At age 1, she repeatedly dialed 911 and hung up without my knowledge. When the 911 operator called back, I explained that my child had dialed and apologized for the confusion. 10 minutes later the police arrived. We had to present the child to the kind officers so that they understood who did the calling and that, in fact, we were all okay.

At age 2, Maura found our lavendar massage oil and because it 'looked so pretty cuz it was purple' she decided to drink 1/2 the bottle. I think we had 4-5 calls to Poison Control that year.

At age 3, I liked to shower with Maura rather than bathe her because frankly, I was lazy. She loved taking showers with me. After some time, she started noticing that my body had these things called breasts, or boodies as she so lovingly called them. One day as we were exiting the shower, I noticed Maura staring at my boodies. She then made eye contact with me and with the most serious hushed voice she asked, " Can I touch 'em?"

In a matter of moments, all these thoughts were rushing through my head...should I let her and then it will be over? No big deal? If I say no, will she become more fascinated? Ahhh!! Where is the handbook when you need it?

I agreed to let her touch 'em. I leaned over expecting a little poke or prod. In stead, what did she do? She tweaked my nipples. I jumped what seemed to be 10 feet high. As I looked at her in disbelief, she says, "I want some."

Late last year, during one of my many hasty mornings trying to get 3 kids to school before managing to get myself to my full-time job a 1/2 hour away from home, I heard a faint panicked sound coming from my room. I was dressing Lyla, the 2-year old. I ran into my room to discover that not only did we own superglue, Maura had managed to glue her hands together.

In an effort to repair a torn book that she had ripped, she found the superglue her father had purchased the night before. I stood there stunned. Now what? All I can say is thank goodness for nail polish remover.

That's just a few of the many Maura stories. I am sure there will be more to come.