The date was October 31, 2007. It was a gloomy night, but my spirits were as bright as could be. Rachel was 8 months old and dressed as the cutest little teddy bear on the block. The bowl of candy was propped perfectly on the front steps. The lights were on and a proud new mom sat waiting anxiously for the first trick or treaters. And waiting. And waiting. And then maybe a few tears were shed. Just kidding…okay, maybe not.
Last year was Rachel’s first Halloween and something I was probably a little bit too excited about. I knew she was too young to understand what was happening and she fell asleep at 6pm before it was even really dark. But, it was one of those ‘first time mom’ things that I just couldn’t wait for.
Fast forward to October 31, 2008.
It was a beautiful, oddly warm Halloween night. Rachel was 20 months old and rivaled the real “Piglet” in the cute-department. The bowl of candy was again propped on the front steps, although maybe a little bit emptier this year due to some pregnancy cravings. The lights were on (and turned up as bright as they could go) and this mom tried to play it cool, pretending that this wasn’t the greatest moment ever. The knock came and the most beautiful little princess uttered the words I’d been waiting for: “Trick or Treat”. I’m not exaggerating that I gave that little girl 8 pieces of candy and could have hugged her if I didn’t think it would frighten her mother. Rachel squealed with delight at the costume and I was the happiest mom in the world. Ewan laughed hysterically at me from the hallway, but I answered the door 8 times tonight and was equally excited for each goblin, spider and Harry Potter who stopped by.
I never understood why my parents were always so excited for new things when I was a child. My first day of school, my first skating recital, a trip to the big zoo. But now that I’m a mom, I find myself in the same boat. It’s the excitement in our daughter’s eyes as she witnesses something for the first time. Or the same childlike squeal she lets out when she masters a new slide at the park, or figures out how to push the grocery cart by herself. Maybe I’m just a big kid at heart, but tonight was one of those moments where I can’t help but feel blessed to watch the world through the eyes of our child.
- Brianna (Photos by Ewan)
 
by Brianna
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