Sunday, March 24, 2013

Birthday video



Thank you, Rob Becker!

Saturday, March 23, 2013

3rd Birthday!

My dear, darling birthday girl,
Now you are three. We've spent the past week telling stories about your birth and watching the video over and over. This video starts with Aunt Shishie reenacting one of my contractions as she and I sit on the couch, and then skips to you in the hospital room, all wrinkled and noisy, being weighed and swaddled, quieting down only when you are placed back in my arms, where--if you listen very closely--you can hear me say, "I can't believe how much you look like your Dad."

You were delighted by this video, so excited that the baby was you, and you snuggled close against me as we watched ourselves snuggling for one of the very first times. You were particularly interested in the nurse who swaddled you. "Who is that?" you asked. "That's Barbara," I said. And now at bedtime you ask me to tell you the story about Barbara.

You are having a big party today, your first ever birthday party. Most of your friends from preschool are coming, and a lot of friends from other classes and the neighborhood. Teacher Lenka from music class will be performing, and I will be giving all the kids temporary tattoos. Because it's a music themed party, I want you all to feel like rockstars. Nonnie made cookies in the shape of musical notes and we are lugging our big Bose soundsystem to the rec center, where we will play all of your favorite CDs while you and your friends dance. Also there will be cupcakes. What could be better?

Scarlett, you are literally the most wonderful thing that has ever happened to me, and I know Dad agrees. We love your feistiness, your sweetness, your humor, your independence, your smile...we just love YOU!

Happy birthday!!

Love,
Mom


Tuesday, March 12, 2013

Snoring



HAPPY BIRTHDAY, POPS!

Monday, March 11, 2013

New Things

Dear Scarlett,
So much has happened this year that it's hard to keep it all straight, let alone find the time to stop and write about it. Or perhaps that's just me making more excuses.

Nonnie and Pops and Layla the dog lived in San Francisco for two months. We got to see them every day, and you were definitely in a joyous place. Pops came with me most days to pick you up from school, sometimes carrying you out on his shoulders when you were reluctant to leave (every day.) Nonnie took excellent care of Baby Jack and we met them in the afternoons at the playground for swing time. We all felt lucky to have them here for such a long period of time, and we celebrated with lazy Sundays at the Park Chalet, family taco dinners, and numerous happy hours in the kitchen. I could--and probably should--write an entire blog on their time here. I promise that there will be at least one post of photos coming soon.

You took it all in stride when they packed up and drove out of town, and Shishie says this is because you are very secure. You always have a lot of people coming in and out of your life, since we have so many visitors. And I'm happy to see how flexible you can be, sometimes waking up and asking me who is in the guest room today and can you please go wake them up right now?

And right now, our guest room is taken for an extended period of time, because your Uncle Mike has moved in with us to take over where Nonnie and Pops left off. Mike drives us to school, to swim and to the playground. He takes you into the backyard where you pick leaves (not allowed) and chase the neighbor's cat, and he plays catch with you whenever you ask, which is all the time. "UNCLE MIKE!" I hear you screaming frequently. "WHERE ARE YOU?" This is if he has walked away from you for two seconds to do something like drink water or blow his nose.

You also have a lovely new babysitter, Katie, who comes over on Mondays. Today she took you to the zoo and to the beach, and when you came back you couldn't wait to tell me how much you wanted to go into the ocean in your zebra coat, pants, shirt and shoes, but alas..."SHE said no." Instead, "she" helped you find a shell and a flower to bring home to me. It sounds like it was a wonderful day.

I hesitate to put this in writing, but I feel like you're turning a corner in your behavior. You are no longer the constantly frustrated toddler who falls to the floor when stymied. You now have so much language at your disposal, and it is simply amazing and hilarious to talk with you and to hear your interpretation of events. But lest I whitewash this too much, we still have our moments where you sweep everything off of the kitchen table and then bite me.

Love,
Mom