Now for something a little different...

When I was just a wee-one, my mom always rocked me and read me a book before bed. (like a lot of moms/dads did) Among the assorted chosen books were tried-and-true favorites like EVERY Dr. Seuss book (my personal favorite was "Sam I Am"), the Disney books containing all of the favorite movie line stories and others such as "The Velveteen Rabbit" and "Goodnight Moon". Since one of my baby showers was a "bring a present and your favorite book" theme, I've acquired quite a collection of books for Tegan. And a LOT that I have never read, until now that is. Hence the reason for the post...

I'm including my 2 new favorites thus far (in no particular order) for any of you future mommies/daddies out there or for gifts. Mama Cindy should be proud because she bought both of them! (Tegan's Godmother) I must say she has excellent taste!

And since most sites like Amazon don't include any words from the book, I am including them here...

"You Are My I Love You"
by Maryann K. Cusimano

"I am your parent; you are my child.
I am your quiet place; you are my wild.

I am your calm face; you are my giggle.
I am your wait; you are my wiggle.

I am your carriage ride; you are my king.
I am your push; you are my swing.

I am your audience; you are my clown.
I am your London Bridge; you are my falling down.

I am your carrot sticks; you are my licorice.
I am your dandelion; you are my first wish.

I am your water wings; you are my deep.
I am your open arms; you are my running leap.

I am your way home; you are my new path.
I am your dry towel; you are my wet bath.

I am your dinner; you are my chocolate cake.
I am your bedtime; you are my wide awake.

I am your finish line; you are my race.
I am your praying hands; you are my saving grace.

I am your favorite book; you are my new lines.
I am your night-light; you are my starshine.

I am your lullaby; you are my peekaboo.
I am your good-night kiss; you are my I love you. "

"You're My Little Lovebug"
by Heidi R. Weimer

"You're my little lovebug
my cuddly kangaroo
my funny bunny
sweet as honey
all of this is true!

You're my punkin wunkin
my peaches and my pie
my bread-and-butter
peanut butter
apple of my eye.

You're my wiggly worm
my busy little bee
my silly goose
my moosey-moose
my monkey up a tree.

You're my ice cream sandwich
my watermelon gum
my soda pop
my lollipop
my yummy yummy yum!

You're my lovey dovey
my stinker winker bear
my silly willy
picadilly
alligator stare.

You're my bowl of cherries
my toast with berry jam
my snickerdoodle
chicken noodle
what a little ham!

You're my tootsie wootsie
my squishy wishy cheeks
my tickle toes
button nose
giggles, squeals and squeaks!

You're everything that's wonderful
You're all of the above!
But most of all
what you are
is God's sweetest gift of love!"

And YES I tear up EVERY TIME I read them. It's absurd.

And last but not least, I must include one of my ALL TIME favorite books!! It's a great book that my mom first introduced to me (and also her book gift for Tegan of course!) It's well above a children's reading level, but the story behind it is wonderful! It's too long to type out, so I'm including a brief synopsis.


"The Littlest Angel" by Charles Tazewell
My favorite illustrated version is by Sergio Leone.

The classic Christmas story tells of an adorable little angel who just cannot stay out of trouble in the celestial city. When the Christ child is born, the mischievous angel learns the timeless lesson of giving, a lesson that has long endured as the true spirit of Christmas.