Happy Birthday
Dear Stella,
Happy Birthday, Little Girl. You are no longer zero. We made it, you and me and Daddy. And what an adventure it has been. I am just amazed by the little girl you have already become and it is a true privilege to be your mom. I feel really lucky.
We celebrated your first birthday in Los Angeles. It was a little sad to be away from everyone but, of course, Daddy came out to be with us. When you came to meet me on the lunch break, you had a purple mylar balloon attached to your stoller. Evidently had your eye on it so Daddy bought it for you. Today purple balloons, tomorrow Jimmy Choo shoes.
We got a fantastic triple berry cake from Sweet Lady Jane (amazing bakery in Los Angeles) that we shared with the cast of Rabbit Hole (play I am directing at the Geffen). You were very excited when everyone sang to you. In fact, the Happy Birthday song now appears to be one of your favorites. You got a couple presents including two mylar whale balloons (one from the stage managers and, coincidentally, one from Daddy), a stuffed bunny, a pair of pink chuckie all stars, and some new books and clothes. You were not that into the presents but you really dug your cake. And you ate up all the attention too. You definitely knew that it was a special day all about you. And guess what, Lucky One? We are going to celebrate you again with the rest of the family next month when we get home. May as well get used to having two parties now since when you are a little older I bet we'll do a family one in the summer and then a friends party after the school year begins. Don't worry -- even though you are a summer baby, you will never be deprived of big birthday celebrations. You were born to the right Mommy for that. I love birthdays and yours in particular.
Also to commemorate your very important first birthday, Daddy and I decided to hire a professional photographer to take a picture of you. We all went to the UCLA campus and had a photo shoot today. You were a superstar and we're pretty confident that we got a great shot. Regardless, it was lots of fun and a really great way to celebrate the day that we met you.
One of the things that impresses me most about you is how utterly fearless you are. You would rather attempt any feat you have set your mind to than worry about the possible unfun consequences. You are not at all afraid to fall down and you almost never cry when you do. When it is time for the bath, you invariably put your foot up on the side of the tub and I know you would climb in yourself if you could. When you want to get out of our bed, you just hurl yourself over the edge. Usually you do this feet first but occasionally you dive over the edge with your head leading the way. A girl's got to do what a girl's got to do. If there is somewhere you want to go, you will find a way. Stairs do not deter you. In fact, stairs have become one of your favorite playgrounds. You could go up and down all day long. You especially like to hold my hand and walk down the stairs big girl style. I don't want to put any fear into your head and so I try really hard not to react too much when you fall down and to never be too cautious with you. This is quite challenging, in case you were wondering. Go ask Grandma if you don't believe me.
These days, in addition to the stairs, you are really into moving things from one place to another. Like taking my keys out of my bag and putting them in the garbage. Or taking all your books and toys from the cabinet and putting them into a big brown Drugstore.com box we have in the living room. Or moving my cell phone from where it is innocently charging and stashing it in the closet where it may or may not be found. Or hijacking my sunglasses from the table to -- damn, girl, where did you put my sunglasses? Sunglasses, keys, cell phones - these are a few of your favorite things.
This month you played in the sandbox for the first time. It was a little strange at first but once you got used to it, you loved it. You also love dogs. Tate Donovan, one of the actors in the play, brought his little dog to rehearsal one day and you couldn't get enough of her. We frequently eat at Pain Quotidien here because they have highchairs and outdoor seating so it is not such a big deal if you throw lots of food on the ground. I think you especially like it because there is usually at least one or two dogs there. Remember what I said before about Jimmy Choo shoes? I was kind of implying that I think Daddy is going to be a sucker for you and will get you most anything you want. But a puppy? I am not so sure. I hope enjoying other people's dogs on the street, in rehearsal, at parties, etc. is enough. Early this month, we were walking down the street, me pushing you in your stroller and this man approached with two large dogs. They came right up to you and you were smiling and laughing, really happy to see them. I asked the man if they were friendly and he said they were and that they loved babies. The dogs started licking your face and, while you were smiling and laughing, I was freaking out inside. I didn't want to pull your stroller away or shoot the dogs because, well remember that thing I said before about fear. I didn't want you to think that dogs were scary. And I figured if I shot them, you might be tramautized later in life. Also, I didn't have a gun. So I tried to stay calm and cool as these two gigantic, slobbering creatures practically swallowed you whole, you cooing and giggling away the entire time. Then the dog owner asked me how old you were and I replied "eleven months." He responded, "Eleven months??? I can't believe you are letting the dogs lick her." What the hell was that supposed to mean? Were the dogs sick? Did I somehow endanger you? I panicked inside and rushed you to the nearest bathroom to wash off. I mean how the hell old did he think you were? Like if I had said "twelve months" would his response have been "oh, good. For a second there I was worried she might be eleven months." Anyway, you survived - love of dogs and fearlessness intact.
In unrelated news, another thing that happened this month is that you did get sick for the first time. This had nothing, I repeat nothing to do with the aforementioned dogs. Shortly after we got to Los Angeles, I got a pretty bad bronchial infection. No surprise really that I ended up giving it to you. One morning you woke up and your little eyes were basically sealed closed full of eye crusties. Faster than you could say "google" I was online looking for a pediatrician. Amazingly (yes, I am the world's greatest internet sleuth) I found the same pediatrician that Dr. Kligler recommended and we went to his office. We saw a really nice doctor who told us that you had a slight ear infection and sore throat. We tried to treat you homeopathically but after a couple days, we had to give you antiobiotic eye drops. I couldn't bear to have you keep waking up without being able to open your eyes. (And neither could Daddy. He's actually the one who finally filled the prescription. I was trying really hard to avoid antibiotics.) As soon as we started the drops you got better right away. We learned that antiobiotics (for better or worse) really work. We also learned that administering eye drops to a one year old is no easy task.
I know I say it every month but it is so true that it just keeps getting better and better to be your mommy. You are becoming quite a good companion and a really fun playdate. It is so hard for me to believe what we were doing, you me and Daddy, just one year ago today (actually yesterday) - bringing you into the world. It was one of the most intense and amazing experiences of my life and the time since then has been filled with one miracle after another. You are my little friend, my partner and I can't believe that I get to know you every day for the rest of my life.
Happy Birthday, darling Stella.
Love,
Mom
Happy Birthday, Little Girl. You are no longer zero. We made it, you and me and Daddy. And what an adventure it has been. I am just amazed by the little girl you have already become and it is a true privilege to be your mom. I feel really lucky.
We celebrated your first birthday in Los Angeles. It was a little sad to be away from everyone but, of course, Daddy came out to be with us. When you came to meet me on the lunch break, you had a purple mylar balloon attached to your stoller. Evidently had your eye on it so Daddy bought it for you. Today purple balloons, tomorrow Jimmy Choo shoes.
We got a fantastic triple berry cake from Sweet Lady Jane (amazing bakery in Los Angeles) that we shared with the cast of Rabbit Hole (play I am directing at the Geffen). You were very excited when everyone sang to you. In fact, the Happy Birthday song now appears to be one of your favorites. You got a couple presents including two mylar whale balloons (one from the stage managers and, coincidentally, one from Daddy), a stuffed bunny, a pair of pink chuckie all stars, and some new books and clothes. You were not that into the presents but you really dug your cake. And you ate up all the attention too. You definitely knew that it was a special day all about you. And guess what, Lucky One? We are going to celebrate you again with the rest of the family next month when we get home. May as well get used to having two parties now since when you are a little older I bet we'll do a family one in the summer and then a friends party after the school year begins. Don't worry -- even though you are a summer baby, you will never be deprived of big birthday celebrations. You were born to the right Mommy for that. I love birthdays and yours in particular.
Also to commemorate your very important first birthday, Daddy and I decided to hire a professional photographer to take a picture of you. We all went to the UCLA campus and had a photo shoot today. You were a superstar and we're pretty confident that we got a great shot. Regardless, it was lots of fun and a really great way to celebrate the day that we met you.
One of the things that impresses me most about you is how utterly fearless you are. You would rather attempt any feat you have set your mind to than worry about the possible unfun consequences. You are not at all afraid to fall down and you almost never cry when you do. When it is time for the bath, you invariably put your foot up on the side of the tub and I know you would climb in yourself if you could. When you want to get out of our bed, you just hurl yourself over the edge. Usually you do this feet first but occasionally you dive over the edge with your head leading the way. A girl's got to do what a girl's got to do. If there is somewhere you want to go, you will find a way. Stairs do not deter you. In fact, stairs have become one of your favorite playgrounds. You could go up and down all day long. You especially like to hold my hand and walk down the stairs big girl style. I don't want to put any fear into your head and so I try really hard not to react too much when you fall down and to never be too cautious with you. This is quite challenging, in case you were wondering. Go ask Grandma if you don't believe me.
These days, in addition to the stairs, you are really into moving things from one place to another. Like taking my keys out of my bag and putting them in the garbage. Or taking all your books and toys from the cabinet and putting them into a big brown Drugstore.com box we have in the living room. Or moving my cell phone from where it is innocently charging and stashing it in the closet where it may or may not be found. Or hijacking my sunglasses from the table to -- damn, girl, where did you put my sunglasses? Sunglasses, keys, cell phones - these are a few of your favorite things.
This month you played in the sandbox for the first time. It was a little strange at first but once you got used to it, you loved it. You also love dogs. Tate Donovan, one of the actors in the play, brought his little dog to rehearsal one day and you couldn't get enough of her. We frequently eat at Pain Quotidien here because they have highchairs and outdoor seating so it is not such a big deal if you throw lots of food on the ground. I think you especially like it because there is usually at least one or two dogs there. Remember what I said before about Jimmy Choo shoes? I was kind of implying that I think Daddy is going to be a sucker for you and will get you most anything you want. But a puppy? I am not so sure. I hope enjoying other people's dogs on the street, in rehearsal, at parties, etc. is enough. Early this month, we were walking down the street, me pushing you in your stroller and this man approached with two large dogs. They came right up to you and you were smiling and laughing, really happy to see them. I asked the man if they were friendly and he said they were and that they loved babies. The dogs started licking your face and, while you were smiling and laughing, I was freaking out inside. I didn't want to pull your stroller away or shoot the dogs because, well remember that thing I said before about fear. I didn't want you to think that dogs were scary. And I figured if I shot them, you might be tramautized later in life. Also, I didn't have a gun. So I tried to stay calm and cool as these two gigantic, slobbering creatures practically swallowed you whole, you cooing and giggling away the entire time. Then the dog owner asked me how old you were and I replied "eleven months." He responded, "Eleven months??? I can't believe you are letting the dogs lick her." What the hell was that supposed to mean? Were the dogs sick? Did I somehow endanger you? I panicked inside and rushed you to the nearest bathroom to wash off. I mean how the hell old did he think you were? Like if I had said "twelve months" would his response have been "oh, good. For a second there I was worried she might be eleven months." Anyway, you survived - love of dogs and fearlessness intact.
In unrelated news, another thing that happened this month is that you did get sick for the first time. This had nothing, I repeat nothing to do with the aforementioned dogs. Shortly after we got to Los Angeles, I got a pretty bad bronchial infection. No surprise really that I ended up giving it to you. One morning you woke up and your little eyes were basically sealed closed full of eye crusties. Faster than you could say "google" I was online looking for a pediatrician. Amazingly (yes, I am the world's greatest internet sleuth) I found the same pediatrician that Dr. Kligler recommended and we went to his office. We saw a really nice doctor who told us that you had a slight ear infection and sore throat. We tried to treat you homeopathically but after a couple days, we had to give you antiobiotic eye drops. I couldn't bear to have you keep waking up without being able to open your eyes. (And neither could Daddy. He's actually the one who finally filled the prescription. I was trying really hard to avoid antibiotics.) As soon as we started the drops you got better right away. We learned that antiobiotics (for better or worse) really work. We also learned that administering eye drops to a one year old is no easy task.
I know I say it every month but it is so true that it just keeps getting better and better to be your mommy. You are becoming quite a good companion and a really fun playdate. It is so hard for me to believe what we were doing, you me and Daddy, just one year ago today (actually yesterday) - bringing you into the world. It was one of the most intense and amazing experiences of my life and the time since then has been filled with one miracle after another. You are my little friend, my partner and I can't believe that I get to know you every day for the rest of my life.
Happy Birthday, darling Stella.
Love,
Mom
posted by Carolyn, David & Stella at 8/29/2006 12:37:00 AM
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