It is really sweet how much The Munch loves me.  She always is happy to see me, and wants to spend all her time in my glorious presence.  I mean, I can’t really blame her – I am pretty awesome… And I do think her absolute adoration is flattering.  But sometimes I feel like she is a possessive, obsessive, overbearing boyfriend.

She always wants to know where I am going, and never wants me to leave.  Sometimes she manipulates me with tears so I have to come back 15 times to give her another “kiss and a hug,” and then tell her EXACLTY when I will be back.  She also doesn’t like it when I am on the phone, and always wants to know who I am talking to.  She also wants to sleep in my bed so she can watch me, and make sure I don’t go anywhere.  And when we went for a walk the other day, she kept insisting that she walk on the outside so she could protect me???!

Munch: No Mamma, I want to walk on the outside and YOU walk on the inside.  I DON’T WANT YOU TO GET SQUISHED BY A CAR!

Toni: But Munch, Mammas walk on the outside to protect Munchees because I don’t want YOU to get squished by a car.  That is the Mamma’s job.

Munch: Well when I grow up I AM GOING TO WALK ON THE OUTSIDE to make sure you don’t get squished!

I know this phase is short-lived.  That soon The Munch will be a teenager and yell at me to get out of her room while listening to The Cure and piercing herself.  I am totally aware that it is only through her naïve eyes that I am this perfect.  That no one again will ever see me with such reverence, and soon she will be wise enough to notice all my flaws.  I should relish everyday in the purity of her vision of me… but damn girl. You need to give me some space sometimes!!!!!!!

(Here is The Munch protesting that I wouldn’t let her walk on the outside)