To Stella, Four Months Old
Dear Stella,
Today you are exactly four months old. Yesterday I went back to work. I've done a few little jobs here and there since you were born but this is my first time back in rehearsal. You were sleeping when I left and it was really hard for me to go. I love to dress you in the morning and I didn't get to yesterday. I picked out your clothes, though, and left them on the dressing table for Ranny. I moved you from our bed into your crib and whispered goodbye and told you I loved you. I had planned to have some time to play with you in the morning so I was sad that you didn't wake up. I seriously considered waking you up even though everyone says never wake a sleeping baby. But then I realized that I had to be a grown-up and leave you as you were so content and peaceful and really sound asleep.
The other thing that happened yesterday is that you started really rolling over. Just in time for the four month mark. We were beginning to think you were behind in something but then you snuck in just under the wire. You actually seem to prefer rolling from back to stomach and, once you got the hang of it yesterday, you really started showing off. Anyway, congratulations. It was a big day for us and for you and now we can never ever put you on the changing table and leave yu there even for just one second.
Daddy and I moved you from the bassinet in our room into your own room on December 18. You were really outgrowing the bassinet so we finally had no choice.
We both loved having you in the room with us and it was a little hard to admit that you are already growing and aren't the little tiny baby we took home from the hospital. Truth be told you also started waking up a lot during the night. You started this before we moved you and we thought maybe it was because you were too big for the bassinet. However, even happily ensconsed in your own crib, you are still waking up 3-4 times/night. We really wish you'd cut it out. It seems that all you want from us during the night is your pacifier put back in your mouth and then you are back off into dreamland.
Sunday was your first Christmas. You got a lot of new toys, a Little Tykes boom box, your first bowls and silverware for when you start eating real food (which is still a ways away) and a new book of nursery rhymes and some much-needed larger clothing (have I mentioned how fast you are growing?). Dad got you a ball that is really easy to hold and you seem to like it quite a bit. I was pretty impressed when you threw it across the living room. You have quite an arm, my little cherub.
At your four month checkup (which was actually about a week before you were actually four months) you weighed 13 pounds 4 ounces and were 24 3/4 inches. I can't remember how big your head was but you were exactly in the 50th percentile for weight and head circumference. In fact, Dr. Kligler said he had never seen a baby follow the graph at 50% so precisely. For whatever it's worth, you are 75% for height and 100% for adorable.
The past month has been very special. You have really become a little person with a personality, someone that we can interact with who responds and laughs and plays and smiles. You smile all the time now and my heart really lights up when you look at me.
I can't believe how much love I already feel for you but having you has helped me begin to understand how Grandma feels towards me. One day I hope you have a daughter so you can understand how I feel about you. It's really something.
Love,
Mom
posted by Carolyn, David & Stella at 12/27/2005 09:30:00 PM
3 Comments:
Darling Stella,
What happened last night, New Year's eve 2006, was fabulous for all of us...your first sleep-over at Grandpa Paul and Grandma Helaine's house...and you had a wonderful time. Clara was here too although you did not feel like playing with her until morning and then there was no stopping your smiles and pensive observations of what Clara was up to next.
Aunt Sonya and Uncle Steven were here with some friends for a glass of champagne on New Year's eve, but you did not feel playful until everyone left, Clara went to sleep, and you had me and Grandpa all to yourself. We undressed you and you were at the top of your game, all smiles as we played together while watching the Giants win their division title. Yes! You love television.
Grandpa and I discuss you often because we both adore being with you and want to remember the joyous feeling that comes alive for us in your presence. We play with you differently. I especially like to amuse you with musical toys or play "jump jump stop" or talk to you while looking into your beautiful (now blue)eyes as I comfort you, feed you, or wonder what you are thinking as you make your beautiful sounds, knowing that you are keenly curious about everything I say or do. Grandpa likes to walk with you, kissing the top of your head, teaching you about your environment, stimulating you to keep learning, something we both agree for you will probably be a life-long passion.
We think you are gentle, intelligent, playful, and affectionate, darling Stella, and we wish you a happy life.
Thank you for spending your first New Year's eve with us, and thank you to your Mommy and Daddy for letting you do so and for trusting us with their treasure. This year marked the 46th anniversary of Grandpa and I meeting and it was a really happy celebration for me and Grandpa because we loved sharing the night with you and Clara.
We hope that 2006 is a year of health, success, love, joy, celebrations, and lots of time spent together for our family.
I love you very much, and so does Grandpa.
Grandma Helaine
Darling Stella,
What happened last night, New Year's eve 2006, was fabulous for all of us...your first sleep-over at Grandpa Paul and Grandma Helaine's house...and you had a wonderful time. Clara was here too although you did not feel like playing with her until morning and then there was no stopping your smiles and pensive observations of what Clara was up to next.
Aunt Sonya and Uncle Steven were here with some friends for a glass of champagne on New Year's eve, but you did not feel playful until everyone left, Clara went to sleep, and you had me and Grandpa all to yourself. We undressed you and you were at the top of your game, all smiles as we played together while watching the Giants win their division title. Yes! You love television.
Grandpa and I discuss you often because we both adore being with you and want to remember the joyous feeling that comes alive for us in your presence. We play with you differently. I especially like to amuse you with musical toys or play "jump jump stop" or talk to you while looking into your beautiful (now blue)eyes as I comfort you, feed you, or wonder what you are thinking as you make your beautiful sounds, knowing that you are keenly curious about everything I say or do. Grandpa likes to walk with you, kissing the top of your head, teaching you about your environment, stimulating you to keep learning, something we both agree for you will probably be a life-long passion.
We think you are gentle, intelligent, playful, and affectionate, darling Stella, and we wish you a happy life.
Thank you for spending your first New Year's eve with us, and thank you to your Mommy and Daddy for letting you do so and for trusting us with their treasure. This year marked the 46th anniversary of Grandpa and I meeting and it was a really happy celebration for me and Grandpa because we loved sharing the night with you and Clara.
We hope that 2006 is a year of health, success, love, joy, celebrations, and lots of time spent together for our family.
I love you very much, and so does Grandpa.
Grandma Helaine
Darling Stella,
Having just returned from San Diego I am so excited by all the wonderful memories I have of so much fun with you and Mommy. We had alot to do to set up a temporary home for you while Mommy directs "The Violet Hour" and Daddy designs the set.
To briefly recap the four day adventure you were a good girl on the plane although mostly what you wanted to do was to walk around and see passengers. A long flight it was, and you never cried even though six hours is more than you can stand without crawling.
Mommy fed you and comforted you all night every night since you did not sleep so well when we arrived (jet lag), and I got up with you in the morning which I adored. Your sweet face and big smile are a great way to start the day, especially since you love early morning cuddles. You are willing to lie still and be kissed for fifteen minutes before it becomes imperative for you to stand up (headboards are good for that because the fall on a bed is not scary for Grandma!).
Mommy, you, and I shopped for two days for food, household items, and toys, and that was okay with you although you hate the car, and the car seat, but if I am in your face you don't cry. As long as you can see interesting things in the stores you are happy, so mostly we kept you in the Baby Bjorn so you could comfortably look around. Mommy has strong shoulders!
On Sunday, Easter Sunday, Mommy took us to the San Diego zoo, and you were very happy there, taking it all in, looking at nature (trees, waterfalls, flowers growing in the ground...things you do not see in NYC although you had little interest in the animals except for the giraffes which you DID notice). You became so exhausted by this adventure that you fell asleep just before we arrive at the Panda bears. We laughed because you missed the highlight but you had a great time anyway. You giggled all day, and made us so happy. Ask to see the sticker photo we took and see you with your tongue sticking out and me and Mommy laughing.
I love your Mommy, Stella, you are lucky to have such a wonderful Mom, so loving, smart, and intelligent. You also have a terrific Dad, and I bet you can't wait to see him tomorrow when he arrives at your new San Diego apartment. You seem happy with your life our darling little Stella.
You made me so happy when you cried when I left to do laundry. We were having a wonderful time playing and you know me well now and you love me. That is good because Grandpa and I plan to be around for a long time to play with and we love you a whole big bunch.
I already miss you more than I can stand!
Much Love,
Grandma Helaine
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