FEEDING THE HEART

A while back we told you about the much needed big dining room table clearing that took place after we finished writing our thank you notes. Once it was done we sighed a huge breath of relief and spent the next week smiling every time we walked by the table. Since that day we've undertaken a couple of quick projects at the table - including making our Halloween costumes last weekend - and cleaned up our messes immediately each time. Other than that though, the table has sat vacant.

That all changed this week. We started a wonderful practice at our house - the family dinner. It all started when we remembered that the Little One's highchair not only reclines but can also be lowered to table height, thus making it possible for him to "sit" with us as we eat. A few weeks ago we tried putting him in the bouncy seat during meals, but this left him awkwardly staring up at us from the floor or down at us from above if we carefully placed the seat on the table between us. Neither of these situations invited him into the conversation. The highchair, however, brings him right to our level.

Instantly, our family dinner became my favorite part of the day. I'm not one for regrets, but I can't believe it took us so long to start doing this. The Husband and I were both lucky enough to come from "family dinner" homes. Occasionally sporting events or after-school activities interrupted or delayed the start of these meals, but they were regular events in our childhoods. Even as a sullen teenager, I came to rely on these dinners. I knew that if I wanted to talk about my day I could. Sometimes the table was quiet, but it was always a welcoming place.

That is exactly what we want to make happen for the Little One. Over the coming weeks, as we fall into a busy evening routine of baths, packing lunches and diaper bags and picking out clothes for the next day, family dinners will become our special time together. I can't think of a better way to end the day then to stop and smile at each other, say 'thank you' for what we have and to let the Little One know that he is our priority.

Let the babbling begin!