To Stella, six months old

Dear Stella,

Two days ago you turned 1/2. When I tell people that you are six months old, so many of them declare that they can't believe you have already been alive that long. On the one hand, I feel the same. But on the other, I can't remember my life before I knew you and it seems unbelievable that it has only been six months.

In the past month you have become pretty mobile. If we put a toy on the floor a foot or two in front of you, you will do whatever it takes to get to it. This involves lifting yourself on your hands and feet and kind of propelling yourself forward, plopping down on your tummy and then doing it all over again until you reach your prize. You work so hard to get where you want to go. I hope you carry that determination with you always and go after whatever you want in life. You already know that it's okay to take a rest when you need one. After a couple surges forward, you sometimes put your little head down on the ground and take a breather.

You are rolling over better than ever -- though still not often from your tummy to your back. You are also completely adept at putting everything you come in contact with in your mouth. Is that Mommy's fur scarf, let me suck on that. Oh is that a book over there? Let's see what that tastes like? Hmmm...I wonder what this toy monkey is for? Eating? And of course, drop your pacifier, pick it right back up and plop it back in place. Nothing is safe. We have just started putting you in the exercauser. You seem to like it though you don't really play with the toys...You mostly direct them into your mouth, leaning forward until they reach.













Daddy and I have a system worked out now where I get up with you during the night and he gets up in the morning so I can sleep a little. I don't know exactly what you guys do together but it is apparent that you have bonded in these early morning hours because your face lights up when you look at him. Tomorrow morning why don't you tell Dad that he should always be the one to get up with you at 6:30am since you have so much fun with him. He has taught you a lot of new things. He worked really hard to teach you the word 'up' and its corresponding sign. I've got to give it to him, it seems like you really understand. That's the thing...now that you've hit the six month mark, you are learning things at a breakneck pace. You have such wise eyes and I can see that you are absorbing so much. You've drunk water out of a cup (not no bullshit sippy cup either but a real true blue cup, albeit one specially made for little hands). You really really like water and I'm anticipating your having great enthusiasm for solid foods when we get going on those. Soon...soon.

You have also started to say "mama mama". I'm pretty sure you don't know what you are saying but whenever I hear that, my heart leaps out of my chest and does a little dance. I think -- and I know Dad would attest to this -- that the other day, after he said 'up' to you sixty seven thousand times, you actually repeated 'up' back. Your papa beamed with pride.

I'm really happy about how you are shaping up so far. You seem to be extremely kind, happy and smart. Every once in awhile I see how much you've already grown and I picture you off at college. I miss you already. Don't forget to call home.

Love,
Mom