February 2011
Alina,
You are 13 months old. I can hardly believe it. Somewhere over the last month I felt the tide shift within you from baby to toddler. It seems to me that one night, as the moon came out over the horizon, it pulled every last bit of baby from you, leaving me with a headstrong toddler in the morning.
I see such tentative wonder in your eyes when you are processing something new. You sit so still, carefully watching and listening, not at all rushed to share your opinion. And then, like a force of nature, you are intent on making your thoughts known, whether for the good or bad. The look on your face makes me envision you before the expanse of a deserted beach, sand untouched, your eyes calculating on where your tiny feet will make their prints. I feel as though only now your path is unfolding, your personality revealing itself.
But for as pensive as you appear at times, you certainly can be a silly, little riot. You love to sing out loud and you very much love to dance, salsa specifically. Most times, you do them both simultaneously, sing salsa and dance to the “music” coming out of your mouth. Mommy or Daddy could be laying you down for bed with you still babbling and dancing away.
You began walking before your first birthday, and your gross motor development continues to be fine tuned. With more confidence in your footing, has come more independence. But when push comes to shove, you still prefer Momma’s lap over any fancy toy. Push comes to shove quite often in this household.
You are so verbal and expressive! Daddy says he isn’t surprised, with me as your Momma. I guess he’s right, I do love to talk, but I am so shocked to hear so many words come out of your mouth. You are now handing me this frame and saying, “Papi”, which brings me to tears every time. When we wave good bye to Daddy as he leaves for work in the morning, you now say “bye bye Daddy”, which puts a smile on his face every morning. While we were in Atlanta, Ilah’s Daddy asked if your dinner was yummy, and you responded with a “hmmm, yummy!”. And when we ask if you are finished eating, your response is now, “all done done”. Every day seems like you learn something new. We are constantly amazed and amused by you, our smart baby girl.
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But like every true beach lover knows, just as quickly as the tide pulls away, it rhythmically returns to cradle the shore again. One moment you are toddling around happily, the next unsure and reaching for the comfort of my arms. And so, I’ve decided, you are not quite toddler and not quite baby, just being pulled between two tides. Which is fine. I’m in no hurry. Momma’s arms are forever open to cradle her baby, no matter how long your tide has been out. My Alina, you will always be my baby.
It has been a remarkable month, indeed. Thank you for making me such a proud Momma. Thank you for loving your Daddy the way he deserves to be loved. You have enriched our lives in ways we never knew existed. I love you unconditionally; as a baby, as a toddler and as the woman you will grow to be.
Te amo por siempre,
Su Mama
love it! especially the one with Alina squinting lookin like a bunny! ha!! and her room is so cool. Can you do a post on how you decorated it?
Wow. This is one of the most beautiful letters I’ve seen. I adore Kelle Hampton’s blog, and please believe me when I tell you that this is up there in her league!
Hi Emma Kay!
Thank you so much for all your sweet comments. I was just telling a friend today that even if no one ever reads this blog, it has brought me real joy anyway. As my friend Erica {above} said, “Blogging is the cheapest kind of therapy” Indeed it is! I look forward to reading yours as soon as this little rascal comes out from underneath me for two seconds!