Stella is growing up.
Okay, so she's still pretty little.
In fact, she's downright tiny. But she sure is spirited. And we wouldn't have it any other way.
It's funny. I feel as though I'm supposed to feel celebratory when Stella reaches the obviously big milestones - crawling and walking. But to be honest, those events pale in comparison to the more subtle but distinctly Stella-ish evolutions. Those obvious moments are exciting, but we always know they're coming. If you're lucky, your kid progresses physically as they should. And really, Stella was such an early and independent mover from the beginning, it seemed so natural to us that she was walking before ten months. In fact, it felt normal.
Both Brian and I find ourselves more in awe of the seemingly smaller but just as significant milestones in Stella's short life that tell us that A) she's already growing up way too fast and B) she is already her own person and C) we are simply here to guide her best self.
For example, Stella now understands the basic concepts of pretend and pretends to eat sticks and rocks at the playground.
Rather than just looking for Mama, she hides now in our daily games of hide and seek.
She understands an impressive amount of language and loves it when we ask her where things are so she can practice pointing.
She now laughs on her own as she sits by herself and reads her books. Apparently any image of a cat is absolutely hilarious. She looks at me as she laughs and then points at the cat as if to say, "Get a load of this guy. Isn't he hysterical!"
She loves waiting for Papa at the window every night when he comes home from work. When I tell her Papa's coming, she literally drops everything and runs to the front window. She looks out excitedly and starts giggling. When she sees him getting out of his car, she pounds on the window and waves frantically. She then runs to the front door and squeals when he comes in.
Stella now hugs for real. While she used to hug and kiss sweetly, she now hugs us with great bravado and sincerity. I was rocking her the other night, and she looked up and put her hand gently on my cheek. She then put her hand on my shoulder as if to hold me . I'm not explaining this well at all, but the whole experience further solidified the fact that I would and will do absolutely anything and everything to protect and cherish this child.
Stella is also experiencing what, I think (and hope!!!) is very normal for a fourteen month old who is endlessly intrigued by all the world offers - frustration. She has yet to find her words. While she understands us for the most part, she is trying to communicate without talking. We do our best, and I like to think we successfully meet her communication needs, but it's tough. She's also exerting a whole lot of will these days. She wants to do things her way, and she has yet to master the art of patience. It's tough to explain to a determined little toddler that standing on a trunk isn't the safest form of play when that's really all that makes her happy in that moment. She's developing a stealthy sense of desire and curiosity, and we're so grateful. But we're also exhausted from trying to satisfy such a healthy appetite.
I know most of these revelations aren't revolutionary. And I know that other parents share these ups and downs of life with a toddler. I think the point of all this - at least for me, Stella's lucky Mama - is that I'm learning how truly important it is to live in the moment with this wee sprite because she is changing and growing so quickly. Before we know it, she'll move beyond this period of discovery, humor and frustration and be on to the next crazy stage of Stella-dom. And you know, the house will always need cleaning (and it will get done), the garden will always needs weeding (and it will get done), dinner will always need cooking (and it will get done). But Stella's desire to play hide and seek will fade. Her need for Mama hugs will lessen. And this period of fierce determination and crazed frustration will dissipate.
Despite my instinct to totally lie to everyone, I can't announce that I'm now some serenely zen Mama who only lives in the moment. But I can say that Stella is teaching me and Brian what, I think, we've always known - nothing but now really matters and Stella is our now.
She's a good little teacher, this one. And we love her endlessly. Take a peek at the following shades of Stella in all her glory.
Okay, so she's still pretty little.
In fact, she's downright tiny. But she sure is spirited. And we wouldn't have it any other way.
It's funny. I feel as though I'm supposed to feel celebratory when Stella reaches the obviously big milestones - crawling and walking. But to be honest, those events pale in comparison to the more subtle but distinctly Stella-ish evolutions. Those obvious moments are exciting, but we always know they're coming. If you're lucky, your kid progresses physically as they should. And really, Stella was such an early and independent mover from the beginning, it seemed so natural to us that she was walking before ten months. In fact, it felt normal.
Both Brian and I find ourselves more in awe of the seemingly smaller but just as significant milestones in Stella's short life that tell us that A) she's already growing up way too fast and B) she is already her own person and C) we are simply here to guide her best self.
For example, Stella now understands the basic concepts of pretend and pretends to eat sticks and rocks at the playground.
Rather than just looking for Mama, she hides now in our daily games of hide and seek.
She understands an impressive amount of language and loves it when we ask her where things are so she can practice pointing.
She now laughs on her own as she sits by herself and reads her books. Apparently any image of a cat is absolutely hilarious. She looks at me as she laughs and then points at the cat as if to say, "Get a load of this guy. Isn't he hysterical!"
She loves waiting for Papa at the window every night when he comes home from work. When I tell her Papa's coming, she literally drops everything and runs to the front window. She looks out excitedly and starts giggling. When she sees him getting out of his car, she pounds on the window and waves frantically. She then runs to the front door and squeals when he comes in.
Stella now hugs for real. While she used to hug and kiss sweetly, she now hugs us with great bravado and sincerity. I was rocking her the other night, and she looked up and put her hand gently on my cheek. She then put her hand on my shoulder as if to hold me . I'm not explaining this well at all, but the whole experience further solidified the fact that I would and will do absolutely anything and everything to protect and cherish this child.
Stella is also experiencing what, I think (and hope!!!) is very normal for a fourteen month old who is endlessly intrigued by all the world offers - frustration. She has yet to find her words. While she understands us for the most part, she is trying to communicate without talking. We do our best, and I like to think we successfully meet her communication needs, but it's tough. She's also exerting a whole lot of will these days. She wants to do things her way, and she has yet to master the art of patience. It's tough to explain to a determined little toddler that standing on a trunk isn't the safest form of play when that's really all that makes her happy in that moment. She's developing a stealthy sense of desire and curiosity, and we're so grateful. But we're also exhausted from trying to satisfy such a healthy appetite.
I know most of these revelations aren't revolutionary. And I know that other parents share these ups and downs of life with a toddler. I think the point of all this - at least for me, Stella's lucky Mama - is that I'm learning how truly important it is to live in the moment with this wee sprite because she is changing and growing so quickly. Before we know it, she'll move beyond this period of discovery, humor and frustration and be on to the next crazy stage of Stella-dom. And you know, the house will always need cleaning (and it will get done), the garden will always needs weeding (and it will get done), dinner will always need cooking (and it will get done). But Stella's desire to play hide and seek will fade. Her need for Mama hugs will lessen. And this period of fierce determination and crazed frustration will dissipate.
Despite my instinct to totally lie to everyone, I can't announce that I'm now some serenely zen Mama who only lives in the moment. But I can say that Stella is teaching me and Brian what, I think, we've always known - nothing but now really matters and Stella is our now.
She's a good little teacher, this one. And we love her endlessly. Take a peek at the following shades of Stella in all her glory.
Concerned Farmer
Forge on, Scout. Forge on.
"Oh, that's it. You're waving the sprinkler at me so I'll walk toward you. Hmm. Mama, you need a new schtick."
Has defiance ever looked so beautiful?
Stella, I love you to the stars and beyond.
3 comments:
you have such a way with words. beautiful. thank you for sharing.
And how lucky is Stella to have such an aware and loving mama. .
with great fashion sense.
xoxo
eden is totally going through the frustration stage now, too. I was honestly so happy to read your post because it helps me know that its not my fault! It also reminds me to enjoy this moment, even though it is tough sometimes. Thank you so much for sharing!
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