To Stella, eleven months old
Dear Stella,
Today you are 11 months old. Only one more month until your first birthday. While it really does feel like you've been in our lives that long - and I can't believe how far you've come in such a relatively short time (I mean seriously, when we say "point to the light" your little arm flies upwards) - one just sounds so freakin' old.
This month you stopped being an infant and turned into a toddler. I was not quite ready for this development and, in particular, was tramautized upon purchasing your first pair of true blue shoes. You were walking so well when we were in Shelter Island that I realized I could no longer deprive the soles of your feet the protection they would need on the New York City streets. Daddy and I were so committed to getting you shoes that we actually went straight from Grand Central Station to the shoe store. I had gotten the address of Stride-Rite but we walked up and down 34th Street and couldn't find it. It was 60,000 degrees out and we were carrying you and some bags and I thought Daddy was going to kill me. Eventually we realized that it was actually inside Macy's, a store I have tried very very hard to stay out of all my life. Long story short, we eventually found the children's shoe department and a kindly lady to help us out. We had your feet measured (size 4), picked out some appropriate kicks and put them on. Then we put you down so you could try out the new accessory that you will, no doubt, end up spending millions on during the course of your life.
You took one step or maybe one half step and plunged to the ground. It was as though someone attached two cement blocks to your feet and expected you to be able to walk. You pulled at your feet and looked up at me and Dad like, "Um, hello? I just learned how to walk -- what the hell are you people doing to me?" I told Daddy that I changed my mind, didn't think you needed shoes yet and wanted to get the hell out of there but he insisted we buy them. Daddy was right once again. About a week later, you were on the go with no problem shoes and all. The learning curve is steep, Little One.
What I realized during all of this is that shoes are really one of the first big steps towards independence. Now there are lots of times when you really don't want to be held. You want to be put down so you can run, walk, toddle away from me. This has made me really appreciate the times when all you want is to be held. I know those days are going to come to an end and I can't bear to think about it. One of the things I treasure most now is putting you to sleep. After you have nursed and we've read some stories, sung a few songs, we put on a CD (usually this Lisa Loeb kids one that I am going to get mighty sick of one of these days) and we slow dance around the room. I bounce you around a little bit and you put your head on my shoulder and drift away. It is a beautiful thing. I wish I could bottle it because, at some point, I am going to miss it every day of my life.
This is also the month that you started to really identify words with the objects they represent. The first really noticeable one was "fan". The house in Shelter Island had a ceiling fan and you loved to watch it go around. Grandpa would walk you around the house, pointing out objects and showing you things like the light switch turning the light on and off and the ceiling fan knob turning the fan on and off. Before long if anyone said fan you looked right at it sometimes even pointing. Yup, you're a genius. You know lamp, desk, table, bench, fence, ball. You know a lot of things. You also gradually started repeating words "car" "duck" and associating them with the objects you were holding. No not a real duck, silly. We're not quite that crazy. Daddy and I have been really working on trying to get you to know animal sounds. The jury is still out but we think you might know "moo".
Shelter Island was really good for all of us. You loved the swimming pool -- both the kiddie one and the big pool and had a great time having the whole family around. Spending all day everyday with you was such fun. You are an extraordinarily curious, playful little girl. Sometimes I look at you and can't help but dream about who you are going to become and about all the things that we will do together in the future. I try hard to stay in this moment, though, because you are changing so much everyday and I just want to burn into my brain the amazing little girl you are right now.
Love,
Mom
Today you are 11 months old. Only one more month until your first birthday. While it really does feel like you've been in our lives that long - and I can't believe how far you've come in such a relatively short time (I mean seriously, when we say "point to the light" your little arm flies upwards) - one just sounds so freakin' old.
This month you stopped being an infant and turned into a toddler. I was not quite ready for this development and, in particular, was tramautized upon purchasing your first pair of true blue shoes. You were walking so well when we were in Shelter Island that I realized I could no longer deprive the soles of your feet the protection they would need on the New York City streets. Daddy and I were so committed to getting you shoes that we actually went straight from Grand Central Station to the shoe store. I had gotten the address of Stride-Rite but we walked up and down 34th Street and couldn't find it. It was 60,000 degrees out and we were carrying you and some bags and I thought Daddy was going to kill me. Eventually we realized that it was actually inside Macy's, a store I have tried very very hard to stay out of all my life. Long story short, we eventually found the children's shoe department and a kindly lady to help us out. We had your feet measured (size 4), picked out some appropriate kicks and put them on. Then we put you down so you could try out the new accessory that you will, no doubt, end up spending millions on during the course of your life.
You took one step or maybe one half step and plunged to the ground. It was as though someone attached two cement blocks to your feet and expected you to be able to walk. You pulled at your feet and looked up at me and Dad like, "Um, hello? I just learned how to walk -- what the hell are you people doing to me?" I told Daddy that I changed my mind, didn't think you needed shoes yet and wanted to get the hell out of there but he insisted we buy them. Daddy was right once again. About a week later, you were on the go with no problem shoes and all. The learning curve is steep, Little One.
What I realized during all of this is that shoes are really one of the first big steps towards independence. Now there are lots of times when you really don't want to be held. You want to be put down so you can run, walk, toddle away from me. This has made me really appreciate the times when all you want is to be held. I know those days are going to come to an end and I can't bear to think about it. One of the things I treasure most now is putting you to sleep. After you have nursed and we've read some stories, sung a few songs, we put on a CD (usually this Lisa Loeb kids one that I am going to get mighty sick of one of these days) and we slow dance around the room. I bounce you around a little bit and you put your head on my shoulder and drift away. It is a beautiful thing. I wish I could bottle it because, at some point, I am going to miss it every day of my life.
This is also the month that you started to really identify words with the objects they represent. The first really noticeable one was "fan". The house in Shelter Island had a ceiling fan and you loved to watch it go around. Grandpa would walk you around the house, pointing out objects and showing you things like the light switch turning the light on and off and the ceiling fan knob turning the fan on and off. Before long if anyone said fan you looked right at it sometimes even pointing. Yup, you're a genius. You know lamp, desk, table, bench, fence, ball. You know a lot of things. You also gradually started repeating words "car" "duck" and associating them with the objects you were holding. No not a real duck, silly. We're not quite that crazy. Daddy and I have been really working on trying to get you to know animal sounds. The jury is still out but we think you might know "moo".
Shelter Island was really good for all of us. You loved the swimming pool -- both the kiddie one and the big pool and had a great time having the whole family around. Spending all day everyday with you was such fun. You are an extraordinarily curious, playful little girl. Sometimes I look at you and can't help but dream about who you are going to become and about all the things that we will do together in the future. I try hard to stay in this moment, though, because you are changing so much everyday and I just want to burn into my brain the amazing little girl you are right now.
Love,
Mom
posted by Carolyn, David & Stella at 7/27/2006 09:52:00 PM
3 Comments:
She's so supercute, Carolyn. I can't believe she is almost a whole year already. She sounds very talented too! 90th percentile in height! That is my kind of girl. :)
Darling Stella,
We had another adventure last week, you, me and Mommy, this time in LA where Mommy has gone with you so she can direct a play at the beautiful Geffen Theater. In case you are wondering about your behavior in the theater, you were really well behaved when Mommy took us to see the theater; you climbed up the stairs and walked around in the orchestra proudly showing off your familiarity with theaters. It was busy in the theater, striking the set, and you took the action comfortably in stride and Mommy was proud of you.
There was nothing especially notable that happened on the airplane ride to LA because you were super well behaved, and during our shopping for items Mommy needed for your temporary LA home you were curious and cooperative. What stands out for me in terms of your behavior are a few things:
---The apartment has two stairs, and you were not happy as you kept falling down until (with Mommy's help) you figured out how a chair and a box could serve as leaning posts and you then could easily make your way up and down. Your gleeful response to successful climbing is adorable.
---We went to Pain Quotidien for a late lunch and sat outside. Mommy and I let you share my salad, and you delighted in eating it with your hands, and you tried all the ingredients (including mushy avocado). You love salad, maybe since you see Mommy eating salad so often. You knew we were letting you get away with something special, and you relished every moment of the mess (unlike the poor waiter!)
---We played outside, you and me while we waited for Mommy. Before that we went food shopping, and for breakfast. I forgot to tell Mommy that I gave you a piece of my toasted bagel, and you like toasted bagels much more than plain ones. We smiled a lot with one another, talked, and I kissed you often. You are delightfully affectionate.
---We took you shopping for your second pair of shoes! Imagine that, and you're not yet one! Pink sneakers...pretty cool.
---I tried not to show you my tears when it was time to go....but I think you sensed that that was a sad moment for me and Mommy. I knew that I would miss both of you, and I do!
Grandpa Paul and I cannot wait till you return to NYC, and we plan to have a special belated birthday party for you to celebrate your special first birthday. You love candles, and we can't wait to see your beautiful face when the candles are for you.
With Much Love,
Grandma Helaine
Darling Stella,
Today is your birthday; you are one year old, and Grandpa and I are disappointed that we couldn't give you hugs, kisses, and a present because you are in LA with Mommy and Daddy since Mommy is working there. Even though we were not with you we of course still wish you, "Happy Birthday, and many, many more, each more fun than the previous one!"
We hear that you loved your big berry cake that Mommy and Daddy brought to the theater where Mommy is working, however Grandpa and I look forward to your next party, your NYC party, in a few weeks where we will help you blow out your candles and show you how to make your wishes come true (ask us for what you want!).
We are so happy to have you in our lives. Your boundless energy and determination are a joy to behold and make you so much fun to play with. We can't wait for your next sleep-over, and we believe that you miss us too. We can't wait to see you in two weeks.
Much love to you our darling little angel. We hope this past year was, for you, the beginning of a wonderful, happy, challenging, adventuresome life.
Your Friends Always,
Grandma Helaine and Grandpa Paul
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