“Mama, hode joo?”

“Mama, hode joo?”

No sweeter words have ever reached this mama’s ears. My heart melts ever time I hear her say them.

“Mama, hode joo?” Isla looks at me earnestly, brows raised, her arms outstretched. Mama, hold you?

She developed this little phrase a few months ago. When she would fuss, and it was clear that she needed a little extra love, I would ask, “Do you want me to hold you?” She would nod excitedly and reach for me. I love that she has adhered to those final two words, hold you, just as tightly as she clings to me when I scoop her up. I love that she turned those two words into her request for snuggles and comfort, and includes my name. “Mama, hode joo?” I love that she can not fully pronounce the words yet, but holds such a great understanding of their meaning. I love that she makes this request countless times a day, and how when I pick her up, she smiles, pats my arm, and lays her head on my shoulder in appreciation.

I will never tire of hearing that precious phrase. Even in my busiest, stress-filled moments. “Mama, hode joo?” I know eventually she will learn to say, “Mama, will you please hold me?” And my heart breaks to think that there will come a day where she stops asking to be held at all. So for now, I relish every snuggle and every sweet, mispronounced request.

“Mama, hode joo?”

Yes, Baby Girl, mama would love to hode joo!