Friday 29 July 2011

Eleven months.

In a month I'll be helping you to blow out those birthday candles. I just can't believe I'm writing that. Wasn't it yesterday that we were bringing you home and uncorking the champagne as you slept in our arms? 

You're having fun, aren't you? Your Papa has asked me this question on more than one occasion when he comes home from work and I'm telling him all about our little moments from the day.
We sure are. I'm exhausted at the day's end, but it is a full, rich life. One evening last week I was putting things away in the kitchen and found one of your tiny pink sandals randomly placed in a lower drawer. It dawned on me that this was the first of many little tangible reminders that there is now a little one afoot, mobile, making her presence known, mama's organization be damned, I've got my shoe in hand and think a good place for it would be this drawer. I love that. I can't wait for more like-minded surprises from you.


We have a walker! You took your first steps on July 21st (I will never, as long as I live, forget that moment) and have been getting bolder ever since. Tonight you even walked in the tub! You walk as though it's 3 am and the bar kicked you out, and when stumbling around your diaper butt has never looked so big. And that's just the view from behind; in front, your face is priceless. You are so proud when you walk, and it's usually followed by hand-clapping. It's like you know it's a big, big deal. You still love your wagon but are starting to abandon your vehicle during our walks. Bad soldier. And forget about pulling you in it--you stand while it's moving. Daredevil. 

You now have 8 (8!) teeth and the dreaded molars are well on their way. I feel its swelling and see your hands in your mouth as you cry in pain. It breaks our hearts to see and only be able to provide minimal relief. We hope this part is swift.

I love you every second of every day. We are joined at the hip, you and I. My marvelous girl who waves at her shadow, waves at the neighbors, waves at the flowers as we go for our walks. Your smile is so big and toothy, it reminds me of Laura Ingalls. Your latest favorite is the high five; you intently observed the big kids doing it in music group a couple weeks ago and now have made it yours. Grinning, you raise your chubby arm with your shoulder hiked up, head cocked to one side, all five fingers spread. Your least favorite thing is when I have the nerve to leave the room. Even if your knee-deep in Papa playing you'll scamper away, doing an exaggerated crawl while wailing like a man lost in the desert, dying of thirst. MA-MA-MA-MA-MA-MA.

What else. You are really starting to love books. Finally! I've amassed a miniature library here and was starting to think I would never have an audience to appreciate my Once-ler whispering and shrieking pigeon voice (you know, the kind that wants a puppy). You clap your hands after drinking from the sippy cup, so proud of those independent gulps. Still nuts over those cats of yours. You thrust your jaw out the same way your uncle who was taken away from us too soon used to do. You are not a shrinking violet. A toddler walked over and snatched two toys out of your hand and without skipping a beat you coolly batted them out of her hands. You're already testing your boundaries in mischievous ways. You love to stick a nugget of cat food quickly in your mouth, pluck it out, and smile all while vigorously shaking your head. Stinker. How am I not gonna laugh when this gets to be important territory? You whisper, always whisper, the word Papa. You give your toys kisses and when I ask for one too, you touch your forehead to mine and hold it there. But never long enough, because I want our foreheads to touch forever. And I'm pretty sure that at some point between now and the time I drop you off to junior high school you're no longer going to let me. I'll understand.

I love you.







Thursday 28 July 2011

Now knitting

I just cast on to make this sweater today (the bottom one), pattern from the lovely Purl Soho. Will it be done in time for Mila's birthday next month? Doubtful. I'm making a few things for her birthday but this is the most time-consuming by far. I was hoping for a cute cardi to take us into fall, but as long as it's done by October-ish I'll be happy--the pattern only goes up to 12 months so we'll just have to keep our fingers crossed that it will fit.

This will probably be the last thing I knit for Mila for awhile. For one thing, ever since she figured out how to pull off a hat she refuses to wear one. And secondly, I'm dying to make a big ole fluffy blanket for couch snuggling this winter, inspired by these two below. Then who are we kidding, I'm sure it will be back to the Mila Mila Mila show :)

image from iwwriteplays via ravelry via pinterest
via The Purl Bee

Wednesday 27 July 2011

Summer?





 While the rest of the country is experiencing some really hot days, I can't help but feel a little cheated that Mila's first summer is being spent in this microclimate of northern California which is still. cold. We've gone to two lakes in the last two weeks and have only managed to get up to our belly buttons. The pool is hit or miss because it's so windy out (and they say it's heated but I beg to differ). Forget about the beach. I'm just grateful we took advantage of the gorgeous Atlantic Ocean when we were in Florida last month. Give me that sticky humidity any day, I'll know I'm home when the hairs on the back of my neck are matted down again.

Tuesday 26 July 2011

Four Generations

 Yeah, I would have been pretty upset had we gone all the way to Italy without getting Mila, her mama, her nonna, and her bisnonna all in one very special picture. It kinda meant a lot to me.

Monday 25 July 2011

Italy

Italy was wonderful, of course. Who doesn't go to Italy and have anything but a wonderful time? Find me that person. My family had seen pictures upon pictures of Mila and we've been skyping since she was days old ...but in person, well, in person it's a different thing entirely. They may have seen her smiles and those big brown peepers, but now they were on the receiving end of those smiles and doe-eyed gazes.

A few other things I'll throw in there. If you go to Italy with your oh-so-squeezable bebe, be prepared for a lot of nothing-off-limits thigh-grabbing and cheek-pinching from complete strangers. If she's mastering how to pull up to stand, how to sit back down and how to cruise on those awfully hard marble floors (poor baby!)...for goshsakes bring along the traumeel and apply it generously and often. And pray that the skull does its job. Don't forget your bathing suit at home because Italian swimsuits are really just reinforced lingerie and quite unflattering on your postpartum I really hate doing sit-ups body. Don't leave the baby non-DEET bug spray at home because you assume it's not mosquito season yet (mosquitoes are always in season). And when you're frustrated because the baby wakes up for the 3rd time in an hour because this house is just so noisy--what with the TV blaring, dog barking, and so many voices that carry (they're not shouting, Italians just talk loudly)--remember that you will miss this when back home. Oh yes, yes you will.

Here are a few of my favorites from our trip. More to come I'm sure. xo












Saturday 23 July 2011

This was on Thursday.

It was one of those unicorns-farting-rainbows sort of days. Mila had slept 11 hours straight the night before. Weather was glorious, warm but not hot. We had the park to ourselves. I got Mila to her potty on time. She was cracking up at my dancing to The Wanderer. There was another baby at the pool and Mila was showing off how much she loves the water. Dinner was easy and delicious to throw together in the crockpot. There was watermelon galore. And...this happened.
I just had a feeling that it was the moment, so I grabbed the video camera. God, thanks for telling me to do that!
*****

And. She's off.
First step in a lifetime of steps.

Wednesday 6 July 2011

Music. And--dancing!


Music group started up again today. I really love this outlet and am so happy to have found it. Wugs has graduated from the 'babies' class and is now together with kids of all ages (mostly 2- and 3-year oldsx), but I think she'll hold her own. Especially with moves like these.



I know, I know. Italy pictures. I have run out of excuses. Soon!

Monday 4 July 2011

4th!


Happy 4th of July! Last night we could hear a big fireworks show going on in the marina just a short walk from our house...but Wugs was already tucked in for the night, so we were housebound. Oh the life of a new parent! To everything there is a season, I know. For now our fireworks will consist of the glow sticks in Wugs' bath tonight (I wonder what her reaction will be when she walks in and sees the lights off!). Happy Independence Day.