Baboo

Baboo

A mommy and daddy expecting a girl,

Decided to find the best name in the world,

To give their small daughter to show how they felt,

And make her feel special wherever she went.

They searched far and wide for the prettiest sound,

The noblest meaning, the best name around.

They scanned every book for the right sort of name,

Not silly, confusing, too trendy, or plain,

Not common or funny, too wild or uptight.

But none of their findings were ever quite right.

Then one day, they had it: the name of their dreams!

It's perfect, they whispered, their eyes all agleam.

They christened their daughter Leora-Adele-

Serena-Felicia-Carlotta-Rochelle.

The proudest of parents, they showed off their babe,

And spoke to her constantly, using her name.

But it twisted and tangled as names often do,

And what stuck in the end was the nickname "Baboo"!

My Own

My Own

Before I ever knew your name,

I knew one day I’d sing it in a lullaby.

Before I ever saw your face,
I knew one day I’d cover it with thousands of kisses.

Before I ever heard your voice,
I knew one day I’d run because it called for me.

Before I ever held you in my arms,
I knew one day I’d never want to put you down.

I knew I’d love you my whole life long,
Because, before I ever met you,

I knew exactly who you’d be.

You'd be my own.

I Can See Christmas

I Can See Christmas

I can see Christmas.
It’s glittering white.
Glowing and twinkling.
Sparkly and bright.

I can smell Christmas.
It’s woodsy and nice.
Baking and simmering.
Sugared and spiced.

I can hear Christmas.
It’s cheery and rushed.
Cozy and crackling.
Holy and hushed.

I can taste Christmas.

It’s candied and glazed.
Hot and mouthwatering.

Basted and braised.

I can feel Christmas.

It's warm when it's cold.

Family surrounding me.

Blessings to hold.

I Would if I Could

I Would if I Could

Poor little you, lying there in your bed,
Feeling sick from your toes to the top of your head.

I wish I could fix you and make you feel good.
Do something to help you. I would if I could.

If I could, I would tickle your belly until,
Your tummy ache shouted, “I’ll leave! Yes, I will!”

If I could, I would get down right next to your ear,

And yell, “Boo!” so your headache ran home out of fear.

If I could, I would order your sniffly nose,
To jump into the wash and get clean with your clothes.

And I’d catch that old cough in a birthday balloon.
Send it out through the window and up to the moon.

Well, I would if I could, but I can’t, so I won’t.
You’ll feel better sometime, but right now, while you don’t,

We'll just laugh at those pains ‘til their bothering’s done.
Being sick doesn’t mean you can’t have any fun.

My Daddy's Lap

My Daddy’s Lap

My Daddy’s lap is a very good place.
It’s where I go when I’m too sad to play.
Sometimes Daddy rocks me.
Sometimes we talk about things.
Sometimes I fall asleep.

My Daddy puts his arms around me,
And holds me tight against his chest.
I can hear his heartbeat,
And I know I’ll feel better soon.

Even though I still have more tears.

When my little brother went away,
I asked my Daddy where he went.
Daddy said he was too sick to play anymore,
So he climbed into God’s lap for a rest.

God's lap is the best place of all, Daddy said.

When God puts His arms around you,
And holds you tight against His chest,
You can hear His heartbeat.
And you feel better right away.

And you have no more tears ever again.

One day, a long time from now,
I’m going to climb into God’s lap, too.
I’ll snuggle in, right beside my little brother,
And I'll know we’re in a very good place.
Just like my Daddy’s lap.

The Sneaky Kiss

The Sneaky Kiss

My Daddy gave my Mom a kiss,

A huggy, smoochy, silly kiss,

A really long and sneaky kiss.

(He didn’t know I saw.)

I jumped in there and made a sound,

A watching and a catching sound.

A sort of now-I’ve-got-you sound.

(I think I yelled, “Aha!”)

I said, “You’ll use my kisses up!

My cuddles, hugs, and squishes up!

You can’t use all my kisses up!”

(I panicked, I suppose.)

Then Dad and Mommy, with a look,

A laughing and a knowing look,

A caring and I-like-you look,

Explained the way it goes...

“Kisses, hugs, and love,” they said,

“All work a funny way.

The more you give, the more you have,

That you can give away!”

Then Mommy hugged and cuddled me,

And Daddy squished and snuggled me.

They very nearly smothered me!

And then they said, “It’s true...”

“You never have to worry, kid.

You funny and amazing kid,

You wonderful and crazy kid,

There’s always more for you!”

And then they gave me A VERY SNEAKY KISS!

Hold Me as I Sleep Tonight

Hold Me as I Sleep Tonight

Thank you, Father, for my day,
For time to work and time to play.

For teaching me to follow You,
And loving me the way You do.

Forgive the wrong that I have done,
And bless my dreams till morning comes.

Tomorrow, guide me in Your light,
And hold me as I sleep tonight.

Amen.

The Mad Dance

The Mad Dance

I have a dance, a secret dance,
I do when I am mad.

It helps me get my grumpies out
And not do something bad.

I make a silly, scary face
And make my hands like claws,

Then jump and wave my arms around
With growly, grouchy roars.

It feels so good to do my dance,
I almost always laugh.

My cranky feelings fly away.
I guess I scare them off!

Daddy's Day

Daddy’s Day

When it's still dark and I'm asleep,

My Daddy blows a kiss to me.

And then he softly sneaks away,

And that's the start of Daddy's day.

I think he’d like to rest some more,
But out he goes to start the car.

He smiles as he turns the key,
‘Cause while he drives, he thinks of me.

He works all day to help my Mom,
So we can buy things when he’s done.

Things like clothes and toys and books,
And yummy food that Mommy cooks.

He doesn’t even get to play,
But Daddy says that it’s okay.

He doesn’t mind his job, you see,
‘Cause while he works, he thinks of me.

Now hurry! Daddy’s almost home!
Pick up those toys! Clean up this room!

I hear him now! He’s at the door!
Come on! What are we waiting for?

I run and jump into the air.
My Daddy’s hug is waiting there.

He laughs and says he’s glad to see,
His pride and joy -- I think it’s me!

Baby Bump

Baby Bump

Once I had a baby bump.
It was small and secret.
It hid beneath my clothes,
So no one else could see.
It made me eat strange things.
It made me leave the room a lot.
It made me fall asleep a lot.
But most of all,
It made me smile.

Once I had a baby bump.
It was round and special.
It showed beneath my clothes,
So all my friends could see.
It made me say strange things.
It made me cook and clean a lot.
It made me laugh and cry a lot.
But most of all,
It made me smile.

Once I had a baby bump.
It was big and squirmy.
It poked out from my clothes,
So everyone could see.
It made me feel strange things.
It made me huff and puff a lot.
It made me wait and watch a lot.
But most of all,
It made me smile.

Once I had a baby bump,
‘Cause you were in there!
And then you came out!
And here you are!
You make me do strange things.
You make me run around a lot.

You make me kiss and hug a lot.

But most of all,
You make me smile.