To Stella, forty months
Daddy and I are having too much fun with you and have decided that the world would be a much better place if everyone had a 3 year old living at home with them. At least if that three year old had your personality, smarts, disposition and adorable little face. I can’t believe that soon you will be closer to 4 than to 3. I’ve probably said this before but I really do just want to freeze time so that you will always be exactly as you are right now. But at the same time, I am so looking forward to each day as you grow – to seeing who you are and what you will become, what you will do with your amazing life. Having a child has made me understand the joy and importance of living in the moment (something I don’t think I’ve been very good at in the past) and also has given me the capacity to do so. For example, as we are walking down the street, I often notice how slowly we are going as you stop to point out a cigarette butt or a little sparkle on the sidewalk. But rather than trying to hurry you along, I so enjoy these little moments. Without you I would just be rushing to the next place not noticing 1/100th of the things you do. Or at night, dancing to “Hey Ya” – with you, me and Daddy all doing our (assigned by you) moves. There is no thought of anything but dancing, laughing and enjoying the moment. Picking you up from school is one of my favorite things to do and actually makes me happy that your school is across town and not a few blocks from our home. I love how excited you are to see me standing in the doorway and how enthusiastically you greet me. I love going to the Y Café with you to eat lunch and then walking to the bus stop and taking the bus across town all the while hearing about your day at school. I know that the time will come when you will not want to tell me everything that happened at school so I am cherishing the time now that you do want to share your adventures with me.
One morning this month, shortly after you woke up you asked me a very serious question. “Mommy, do you remember that time that I was in the car with that man and then I got out of the car and ran across the field to you and Ranny.” I did not, in fact, remember that event and told you so as I realized that you were telling me about a dream you had. It was so exciting to know that you were dreaming and I was very happy to learn that the man in the car was nice to you and opened the door of the car for you and that it was a happy dream. I explained that having dreams was kind of like watching movies while you were sleeping and that seemed to make a lot of sense to you. Another day you told me about your dreams and remembered which was the one you had in your bed (first part of the night) and which you had in our bed (second part of the night).
This month seems to have marked the end of your mommy all the time phase and the beginning of your daddy is amazing phase. You frequently want Dad to do things for you and with you now and will often choose him over me when that option exists. This development has not made me sad – it is really wonderful to see you guys playing together and you have made your father very happy. Plus I get a little break now and then which is kind of nice.
We had a really wonderful Hanukkah and Christmas this year. You made it pretty clear early on that you did not under any circumstances want to visit Santa this year. We therefore did not make our annual pilgrimage to Macy’s. I honestly don’t think you remember going last year – and really, it wasn’t that tramautizing! -- but you have seen the picture of the back of your head from that day and definitely decided you didn’t want to endure the torture of an elf talking your picture again. We did order the book The Elf on the Shelf and told you that Santa was going to be sending an elf to our house to check up on you. You were quite concerned about this and the day the box arrived, you were pretty apprehensive. We both knocked on the box and shouted “hello” to see if the elf would respond. You were very relieved when it was only a doll and not a real elf.
Daddy and I are so happy that school has taken care of teaching you all about Hanukkah and you know more Hanukkah songs now than we even knew existed. Our favorite is the one about Antiochus and the Macabbes because you have to put on your bossy voice when you sing the first part of it and it is pretty cute when you do it. We loved the Sun Room Hanukkah party where we sang songs with all your classmates and their parents, lit the beautiful menorah the sun roomers made together and ate latkes, bagels and fruit. You were so happy to have us there and it was a pretty special occasion for all of us. You’ve blossomed so much at school and become such an independent little girl. Sometimes I joke with you that I am going to be out of a job soon because you can do so many things by yourself. You always assure me that you still need me though. Phew.
I was surprised this month when we were watching Godspell and you told me that Jesus was going to say the same blessing that you say in school. I asked you what it was and you answered, “Baruch ata adonai…” I hadn’t realized that you knew the prayer although I should have realized that the weekly Shabbat celebration in school was sinking in. You have lots of phrases now that I can only imagine you picked up in school like “You do your work and I’ll do mine”, “Mommy, I have a job for you.” “Put your thinking cap on” and “zip your lips”.
Daddy and I decided to take you away this year because we knew how much you were dying to get in some quality swimming. You’ve told us more than once when we move to a new apartment it better have a swimming pool. We tagged along with Steven, Sonya and Clara on their planned trip to St. Thomas and were so glad that we did. We had such a fantastic time. You could not get enough of the swimming pools and also loved the ocean. Your floaty bathing suit gave you a lot of security and allowed you to swim independently. It also made Daddy and I realize that you have become very dependent on it and we need to sign you up for swim lessons stat so that you can get more confidence in the water without floaties. Every morning when you woke up, the first thing you wanted to do was go to Clara’s room to see if she was awake. You loved the freedom of leaving our room and walking down the hall by yourself. You vehemently demanded that we not accompany you so we didn’t. We did however, sneak out after you were gone to make sure that you made it inside safely. You love Clara so much and always want to do the things she is doing. So if Clara was eating eggs for breakfast, guess what you’d have? And if Clara wanted to go make sand art, guess what you wanted to do? There were a few exceptions – you didn’t mind going in the cold pool although Clara stayed far away from it. And you took to the ocean much more quickly than she did. But otherwise, the two of you were pretty much attached at the hip. You are really lucky to have each other and seem to complement each other nicely.
While it has become very hard -- nearly impossible – to get you to nap unless we can take you for a walk in the stroller, in St. Thomas you loved napping on the beach. We’d set you up in a lounge chair with a big canopy and surround you with pillows and you would happily drift off. We knew you were ready for a nap because you’d ask us, “Is it nap time or night time?” which meant you were tired and trying to figure out whether it was time for a quick snooze or a long one.
We came back in time to celebrate Christmas with Grandma and Grandpa. On the 24th we went to a really fun Dan Zanes concert at the New Victory Theater. You loved the song The Twelve Days of Christmas and have made me sing it multiple times a day since then. I’ve surprised myself with my ability to remember what my true love gave me on each of the days. The song has a remarkable ability to lull you to sleep when I sing it slowly during nap time or night time. Ah repetition.
We had a great Christmas Eve party at their house and Santa brought you some good stuff – including this plastic doll with hair that you can brush and make-up you can put on. You played with something like it at Paul and Annie’s house and it was literally the only thing you wanted for Christmas. The next day, at our house, Santa brought you a bunch of things you didn’t really want but that you seem to like anyway. I think your favorite were the stompers which took you awhile to get the hang of but which you’ve now mastered and enjoy. You also got a great set of dominoes, tinkertoys and a spelling puzzle with lower case letters. Daddy and I were shocked to discover that you knew most of the lower case alphabet. A few times I slipped up and said things like, “Do you want to play with those dominoes we got you?” and you’d respond, “You mean the ones Santa brought me?”
On Christmas morning, we did our usual thing where Dad went into the living room first to make sure Santa and the reindeer were gone and shouted that Rudolph was still in the house. When you came into the living room, he told you that just moments earlier Rudolph was sitting on the couch nibbling on a carrot and when he saw Daddy he jumped up and scurried out the window to which you replied, “Real or pretend?” I suspect we might have a hard time continuing this charade for too many years. You are savvy beyond your years.
Some other highlights this month (in no particular -- and definitely not chronological -- order) included going to the Radio City Christmas Show (thanks, Rod) which you enjoyed a lot even though it was a little too long. You didn’t want to leave because I explained to you that often the end of shows is the best part (the finale). Instead, for the last fifteen minutes you just kept saying things like, “Is it over NOW?” and “It’s taking too long!” But you were pretty mesmerized for the first hour and we had a really great time. You also told me you wanted to go see the windows at "Macy’s house" but we went to the Saks ones instead because they were closer. And we looked at the big tree in Rockefeller Center to which you had almost no reaction. We went ice skating which you loved as you do almost any physically challenging activity.
We saw Despereaux on Christmas day. Grandpa introduced you to Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat which you loved. However, you mistakenly took Bee Movie home thinking it was Joseph and were deeply disappointed when you put it on and discovered you’d taken the wrong dvd. You saw your first ballet, The Nutcracker.
And most enjoyably, you got your first manicure and pedicure at the nail salon. In the past I asked you if you wanted to go and get your nails done but you always wanted me to polish them instead. Suddenly you changed your mind and decided you were ready for the pros and you had such an amazing time doing it. Even though I admit that we are starting you a bit early, it was perhaps one of the most adorable experiences we’ve had with you.
Daddy enjoyed his pedicure too!
In addition to being one of the most strong-willed, determined children I have ever encountered, you are also incredibly kind. So when you say something like, “No! I don’t want your help! You stay over there!” you will finish it with “Are you sad?” You do want to make sure that no one’s feelings are hurt even as you get your way.
Almost everything is made more enjoyable by your presence but nothing more so than the holidays. We loved having you around this month to decorate Christmas trees and light the menorah, to point out the Santas and holidays decorations all over the city. You are such a happy, exuberant little girl and it is such fun to see things through your sparkly eyes.
I love you.
Love,
Mommy
One morning this month, shortly after you woke up you asked me a very serious question. “Mommy, do you remember that time that I was in the car with that man and then I got out of the car and ran across the field to you and Ranny.” I did not, in fact, remember that event and told you so as I realized that you were telling me about a dream you had. It was so exciting to know that you were dreaming and I was very happy to learn that the man in the car was nice to you and opened the door of the car for you and that it was a happy dream. I explained that having dreams was kind of like watching movies while you were sleeping and that seemed to make a lot of sense to you. Another day you told me about your dreams and remembered which was the one you had in your bed (first part of the night) and which you had in our bed (second part of the night).
This month seems to have marked the end of your mommy all the time phase and the beginning of your daddy is amazing phase. You frequently want Dad to do things for you and with you now and will often choose him over me when that option exists. This development has not made me sad – it is really wonderful to see you guys playing together and you have made your father very happy. Plus I get a little break now and then which is kind of nice.
We had a really wonderful Hanukkah and Christmas this year. You made it pretty clear early on that you did not under any circumstances want to visit Santa this year. We therefore did not make our annual pilgrimage to Macy’s. I honestly don’t think you remember going last year – and really, it wasn’t that tramautizing! -- but you have seen the picture of the back of your head from that day and definitely decided you didn’t want to endure the torture of an elf talking your picture again. We did order the book The Elf on the Shelf and told you that Santa was going to be sending an elf to our house to check up on you. You were quite concerned about this and the day the box arrived, you were pretty apprehensive. We both knocked on the box and shouted “hello” to see if the elf would respond. You were very relieved when it was only a doll and not a real elf.
Daddy and I are so happy that school has taken care of teaching you all about Hanukkah and you know more Hanukkah songs now than we even knew existed. Our favorite is the one about Antiochus and the Macabbes because you have to put on your bossy voice when you sing the first part of it and it is pretty cute when you do it. We loved the Sun Room Hanukkah party where we sang songs with all your classmates and their parents, lit the beautiful menorah the sun roomers made together and ate latkes, bagels and fruit. You were so happy to have us there and it was a pretty special occasion for all of us. You’ve blossomed so much at school and become such an independent little girl. Sometimes I joke with you that I am going to be out of a job soon because you can do so many things by yourself. You always assure me that you still need me though. Phew.
I was surprised this month when we were watching Godspell and you told me that Jesus was going to say the same blessing that you say in school. I asked you what it was and you answered, “Baruch ata adonai…” I hadn’t realized that you knew the prayer although I should have realized that the weekly Shabbat celebration in school was sinking in. You have lots of phrases now that I can only imagine you picked up in school like “You do your work and I’ll do mine”, “Mommy, I have a job for you.” “Put your thinking cap on” and “zip your lips”.
Daddy and I decided to take you away this year because we knew how much you were dying to get in some quality swimming. You’ve told us more than once when we move to a new apartment it better have a swimming pool. We tagged along with Steven, Sonya and Clara on their planned trip to St. Thomas and were so glad that we did. We had such a fantastic time. You could not get enough of the swimming pools and also loved the ocean. Your floaty bathing suit gave you a lot of security and allowed you to swim independently. It also made Daddy and I realize that you have become very dependent on it and we need to sign you up for swim lessons stat so that you can get more confidence in the water without floaties. Every morning when you woke up, the first thing you wanted to do was go to Clara’s room to see if she was awake. You loved the freedom of leaving our room and walking down the hall by yourself. You vehemently demanded that we not accompany you so we didn’t. We did however, sneak out after you were gone to make sure that you made it inside safely. You love Clara so much and always want to do the things she is doing. So if Clara was eating eggs for breakfast, guess what you’d have? And if Clara wanted to go make sand art, guess what you wanted to do? There were a few exceptions – you didn’t mind going in the cold pool although Clara stayed far away from it. And you took to the ocean much more quickly than she did. But otherwise, the two of you were pretty much attached at the hip. You are really lucky to have each other and seem to complement each other nicely.
While it has become very hard -- nearly impossible – to get you to nap unless we can take you for a walk in the stroller, in St. Thomas you loved napping on the beach. We’d set you up in a lounge chair with a big canopy and surround you with pillows and you would happily drift off. We knew you were ready for a nap because you’d ask us, “Is it nap time or night time?” which meant you were tired and trying to figure out whether it was time for a quick snooze or a long one.
We came back in time to celebrate Christmas with Grandma and Grandpa. On the 24th we went to a really fun Dan Zanes concert at the New Victory Theater. You loved the song The Twelve Days of Christmas and have made me sing it multiple times a day since then. I’ve surprised myself with my ability to remember what my true love gave me on each of the days. The song has a remarkable ability to lull you to sleep when I sing it slowly during nap time or night time. Ah repetition.
We had a great Christmas Eve party at their house and Santa brought you some good stuff – including this plastic doll with hair that you can brush and make-up you can put on. You played with something like it at Paul and Annie’s house and it was literally the only thing you wanted for Christmas. The next day, at our house, Santa brought you a bunch of things you didn’t really want but that you seem to like anyway. I think your favorite were the stompers which took you awhile to get the hang of but which you’ve now mastered and enjoy. You also got a great set of dominoes, tinkertoys and a spelling puzzle with lower case letters. Daddy and I were shocked to discover that you knew most of the lower case alphabet. A few times I slipped up and said things like, “Do you want to play with those dominoes we got you?” and you’d respond, “You mean the ones Santa brought me?”
On Christmas morning, we did our usual thing where Dad went into the living room first to make sure Santa and the reindeer were gone and shouted that Rudolph was still in the house. When you came into the living room, he told you that just moments earlier Rudolph was sitting on the couch nibbling on a carrot and when he saw Daddy he jumped up and scurried out the window to which you replied, “Real or pretend?” I suspect we might have a hard time continuing this charade for too many years. You are savvy beyond your years.
Some other highlights this month (in no particular -- and definitely not chronological -- order) included going to the Radio City Christmas Show (thanks, Rod) which you enjoyed a lot even though it was a little too long. You didn’t want to leave because I explained to you that often the end of shows is the best part (the finale). Instead, for the last fifteen minutes you just kept saying things like, “Is it over NOW?” and “It’s taking too long!” But you were pretty mesmerized for the first hour and we had a really great time. You also told me you wanted to go see the windows at "Macy’s house" but we went to the Saks ones instead because they were closer. And we looked at the big tree in Rockefeller Center to which you had almost no reaction. We went ice skating which you loved as you do almost any physically challenging activity.
We saw Despereaux on Christmas day. Grandpa introduced you to Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat which you loved. However, you mistakenly took Bee Movie home thinking it was Joseph and were deeply disappointed when you put it on and discovered you’d taken the wrong dvd. You saw your first ballet, The Nutcracker.
And most enjoyably, you got your first manicure and pedicure at the nail salon. In the past I asked you if you wanted to go and get your nails done but you always wanted me to polish them instead. Suddenly you changed your mind and decided you were ready for the pros and you had such an amazing time doing it. Even though I admit that we are starting you a bit early, it was perhaps one of the most adorable experiences we’ve had with you.
Daddy enjoyed his pedicure too!
In addition to being one of the most strong-willed, determined children I have ever encountered, you are also incredibly kind. So when you say something like, “No! I don’t want your help! You stay over there!” you will finish it with “Are you sad?” You do want to make sure that no one’s feelings are hurt even as you get your way.
Almost everything is made more enjoyable by your presence but nothing more so than the holidays. We loved having you around this month to decorate Christmas trees and light the menorah, to point out the Santas and holidays decorations all over the city. You are such a happy, exuberant little girl and it is such fun to see things through your sparkly eyes.
I love you.
Love,
Mommy
posted by Carolyn at 12/27/2008 12:08:00 PM
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