Dear Zayde,
This week I learned that daddies get a special day all to themselves, just like mommies do. We celebrated at Savtah's house, where I learned that some high chairs have padded seats, unlike the cheap IKEA one Mommy makes me sit in at home. I also learned that chicken can be fried, and when the crispy skin is removed, the inside is tender and juicy and good enough to put in my mouth and on the floor. I might have swallowed some, but that's a secret I'm keeping to myself for now. Savtah called it schnitzel, and Daddy and Uncle Amir ate at least six pieces each. They're pieces were much larger than mine. We sat down on the floor after lunch so we could play with tissue paper and give Daddy presents. I got him a card and a set of drinking glasses engraved with the logo for the Zelda Brewing Company, which is the first of many of my entrepreneurial endeavors. Did you get my card? I learned this week that this special holiday is for all Daddies and not just my Daddy, and seeing as I know that you are Mommy's father, we picked out very special cards for you, too. Rest assured that I tasted yours before we sent it.
Speaking of fathers, Saba visited again all the way from Israel. He sat and talked in our living room for an hour on Friday and another hour on Saturday, and then we all had brunch at Savtah's house on Sunday. That's when I learned that I am probably allergic to eggs, too. Thank goodness for children's Benadryl.
While we're on the topic of illness, this week I learned that Mommies can get headaches. Mommy didn't seem quite right that day, but I chalked it up to the heat. It's been super hot and humid recently, and that makes us all cranky. Upon returning from a shopping trip to buy me a few extra summery outfits for our trip next week, Mommy put me in my crib to take a nap, and then she had to hide herself away in her cool and dark bedroom. I was happy to see Grandma waiting in the rocking chair when I woke up from my nap. In fact, I was so glad to see her that I decided to take an extra bonus nap on her shoulder while she rocked me. When I did finally wake up, we played with my toys for a while until Mommy felt better and joined us. That was the first time I can remember Mommy not feeling well. Sure, she's exhausted all the time, but that's only because she insists on feeding me in the middle of the night and not taking naps when I do during the day.
This week Daddy learned that my feet are ticklish. He was wiping away some fuzz that had accumulated around my toes while I slept in my terrycloth pajamas the previous night. He had a damp cloth in his hand, and when it brushed up against the bottom of my foot, I started to giggle. I continue to be full of sweet surprises.
I looked back at my previous letter to you and realized that forgot to mention I've been swimming a few times. Our pool is like a giant bath tub with cooler water. For some reason, I have to wear clothes, and Mommy and Daddy put on special outfits for the pool, too. So far we've stayed near the wide cement steps while we splash and enjoy the sunshine. I have my very own floating bouncer with a canopy to shield me from too much direct sunlight. I learned that because my parents have very white skin, I am susceptible to sunburn. I'm not sure what that means, but the sunblock, sun hat, umbrellas, and aforementioned canopy that Mommy insists on placing between me and the sun must mean that getting a sunburn would be very unpleasant. I'm sure glad I've got people looking out for my well being, even if they don't let me play with their iPhones.
In just a few days, I am going to find out what an airplane is, and soon after, I get to see you and Bubbi again. I hear that I will also meet many cousins and see a lobster or two. I will take copious notes about everything I learn. It should be quite the educational experience.
See you soon,
Zelda
Sunday, June 23, 2013
Friday, June 14, 2013
Week 29
Dear Zayde,
This week I learned that I can roll both ways. I've been rolling from my front to back for months, and it never really occurred to me that I would ever need or want to make the return trip to my stomach. This week Mommy gave me a reason. One morning, I was happily playing on my tummy when I noticed that one of my toys was close but just out of reach. Mommy was watching me from the kitchen while doing something other than entertaining or feeding or changing me. I really wanted that toy. I yelled at it to come closer, but it ignored me. I thought that perhaps if I rolled onto my back, I'd be able to reach it, so I hurled myself in that direction. Alas, I was still not quite within grasping range. I called to Mommy, but she just stood there, watching me, and saying something unhelpful, such as, "C'mon Zelda, you can do it!" That got me so frustrated that I began to rock back and forth on my back until I ended up on my side, facing the toy. I stretched out my hands and attempted to elongate myself, but I just...couldn't...reach. That's when I kicked my legs. And you know what happened? I pushed myself onto my tummy! One good kick, and I had propelled myself all the way over. Finally, the toy was mine! Mommy started jumping up and down, squealing with glee. I guess she really wanted me to get that toy, too. At least, that's what I thought until she picked me up and swung me around, telling me how amazing I am. If I'm so amazing, why wouldn't she let me play with that toy?!? Since then, I've found this ability to roll in any direction both useful and entertaining. I enjoy rolling from back to tummy and then back again, just for the joy of moving about. Daddy says that soon I'll be "crawling." I'm not sure what that means, but if it gets me closer to my wayward toys, I'm all for it.
This week I also learned that Mommy and Daddy decided to install a baby fence. They hired a gentleman to spend some time in our back yard putting up a black mesh fence that doesn't really jive with the general style of our patio. I'm not sure if the fence is meant to keep babies in or out. Is there a band of feral babies roaming the neighborhood? Are we in danger? Or are we trying to herd wild babies into the fence for safe keeping? If it's the latter, I hope those babies can swim because the idiot who installed the fence put it all the way around our swimming pool. We already had a fence around the back yard. I think this is just redundant. If the cost of this fence came out of my toys and books fund, I'm going to complain.
Speaking of the great outdoors, this week I learned that animals have babies, too. While walking with Mommy, Grandma, and Grandma's dog, Lenny, we encountered a duck and her three little ducklings. They followed their mother right up to us. Those ducklings looked soft and squishy. I wanted to hold one and perhaps taste it, but Mommy wouldn't put me down on the ground. She's always preventing me from putting new things in my mouth. Doesn't she know how delicious the world can be?
Now that it's summer, I'm learning that the sun sets later in the day. Even at 8:00 pm, when it's time to put on my pajamas and begin my "nighttime routine," which sounds like a lounge act but isn't, the sun has not yet disappeared. I am a big fan of sunshine, so this turn of events seems like a good opportunity to get Mommy and Daddy to push back my bedtime. Surely they have nothing better to do than play with me until late into the evening. It's not like they want to spend some time alone without me, the liveliest member of the family. What would they possibly do that didn't involve me?
Just a few more weeks until we visit you and Bubbi. I think you'll both be amazed at how much I've grown. Who knows what amazing skills I will have acquired by then?
Over and over,
Zelda
This week I learned that I can roll both ways. I've been rolling from my front to back for months, and it never really occurred to me that I would ever need or want to make the return trip to my stomach. This week Mommy gave me a reason. One morning, I was happily playing on my tummy when I noticed that one of my toys was close but just out of reach. Mommy was watching me from the kitchen while doing something other than entertaining or feeding or changing me. I really wanted that toy. I yelled at it to come closer, but it ignored me. I thought that perhaps if I rolled onto my back, I'd be able to reach it, so I hurled myself in that direction. Alas, I was still not quite within grasping range. I called to Mommy, but she just stood there, watching me, and saying something unhelpful, such as, "C'mon Zelda, you can do it!" That got me so frustrated that I began to rock back and forth on my back until I ended up on my side, facing the toy. I stretched out my hands and attempted to elongate myself, but I just...couldn't...reach. That's when I kicked my legs. And you know what happened? I pushed myself onto my tummy! One good kick, and I had propelled myself all the way over. Finally, the toy was mine! Mommy started jumping up and down, squealing with glee. I guess she really wanted me to get that toy, too. At least, that's what I thought until she picked me up and swung me around, telling me how amazing I am. If I'm so amazing, why wouldn't she let me play with that toy?!? Since then, I've found this ability to roll in any direction both useful and entertaining. I enjoy rolling from back to tummy and then back again, just for the joy of moving about. Daddy says that soon I'll be "crawling." I'm not sure what that means, but if it gets me closer to my wayward toys, I'm all for it.
This week I also learned that Mommy and Daddy decided to install a baby fence. They hired a gentleman to spend some time in our back yard putting up a black mesh fence that doesn't really jive with the general style of our patio. I'm not sure if the fence is meant to keep babies in or out. Is there a band of feral babies roaming the neighborhood? Are we in danger? Or are we trying to herd wild babies into the fence for safe keeping? If it's the latter, I hope those babies can swim because the idiot who installed the fence put it all the way around our swimming pool. We already had a fence around the back yard. I think this is just redundant. If the cost of this fence came out of my toys and books fund, I'm going to complain.
Speaking of the great outdoors, this week I learned that animals have babies, too. While walking with Mommy, Grandma, and Grandma's dog, Lenny, we encountered a duck and her three little ducklings. They followed their mother right up to us. Those ducklings looked soft and squishy. I wanted to hold one and perhaps taste it, but Mommy wouldn't put me down on the ground. She's always preventing me from putting new things in my mouth. Doesn't she know how delicious the world can be?
Now that it's summer, I'm learning that the sun sets later in the day. Even at 8:00 pm, when it's time to put on my pajamas and begin my "nighttime routine," which sounds like a lounge act but isn't, the sun has not yet disappeared. I am a big fan of sunshine, so this turn of events seems like a good opportunity to get Mommy and Daddy to push back my bedtime. Surely they have nothing better to do than play with me until late into the evening. It's not like they want to spend some time alone without me, the liveliest member of the family. What would they possibly do that didn't involve me?
Just a few more weeks until we visit you and Bubbi. I think you'll both be amazed at how much I've grown. Who knows what amazing skills I will have acquired by then?
Over and over,
Zelda
Sunday, June 9, 2013
Week 28
Dear Zayde,
This week I learned about tropical storms. One of the perks of living in South Florida seems to be the seasonal threat of strong wind and abundant rain. The sky turns dark, and gray clouds race each other, competing to see which of them can dump the largest amount of water on our house. Mommy and I watched the action from the comfort of our living room. I learned that Mommy loves the rain because it makes the green things outside grow. She and Daddy joked that they wouldn't need to water the lawn for a few months. (Daddy said something about my doing that job someday, but I'm sure he's just kidding.)
What I find most interesting is that the World Meteorological Organization names storms after people in my family. This week's storm was named after my Mommy's sister, Andrea. Maybe the next one will be named after my Uncle Brad. If I'm ever going to have a storm named after me, it will have to be one heck of a hurricane season. Let's hope that we don't, in fact, have 26 named storms in any given year, even though I'm sure a Hurricane Zelda would be an exciting and historic event for the East Coast.
I have to cut short this week's letter because I need to help Mommy install my new car seat. Apparently, she's too weak to lift me in and out of her car when I'm in my infant car seat. I keep telling her that she needs to go to the gym and start working out again, but she insists on playing with me all day. You would think that lifting my impressive 18 pounds of squishy baby flesh would keep her fit, but - alas - she continues to complain about her aching back and sore arms. The new car seat will stay in the car so she doesn't have to lift more than my weight when we're out and about. It has pink flowers on the cover and padded shoulder straps. I can't wait to travel in style. Time for a road trip!
Your tropical tyke,
Zelda
This week I learned about tropical storms. One of the perks of living in South Florida seems to be the seasonal threat of strong wind and abundant rain. The sky turns dark, and gray clouds race each other, competing to see which of them can dump the largest amount of water on our house. Mommy and I watched the action from the comfort of our living room. I learned that Mommy loves the rain because it makes the green things outside grow. She and Daddy joked that they wouldn't need to water the lawn for a few months. (Daddy said something about my doing that job someday, but I'm sure he's just kidding.)
What I find most interesting is that the World Meteorological Organization names storms after people in my family. This week's storm was named after my Mommy's sister, Andrea. Maybe the next one will be named after my Uncle Brad. If I'm ever going to have a storm named after me, it will have to be one heck of a hurricane season. Let's hope that we don't, in fact, have 26 named storms in any given year, even though I'm sure a Hurricane Zelda would be an exciting and historic event for the East Coast.
I have to cut short this week's letter because I need to help Mommy install my new car seat. Apparently, she's too weak to lift me in and out of her car when I'm in my infant car seat. I keep telling her that she needs to go to the gym and start working out again, but she insists on playing with me all day. You would think that lifting my impressive 18 pounds of squishy baby flesh would keep her fit, but - alas - she continues to complain about her aching back and sore arms. The new car seat will stay in the car so she doesn't have to lift more than my weight when we're out and about. It has pink flowers on the cover and padded shoulder straps. I can't wait to travel in style. Time for a road trip!
Your tropical tyke,
Zelda
Sunday, June 2, 2013
Week 27
Dear Zayde,
This week I learned that my crown is somehow making my head even more perfect than it already is. Ari the Crown-Maker said that I am growing even faster than predicted, which seems wonderful except that it means that I won't be able to wear my crown forever. I'm not sure if one can be a princess without a crown, so this makes me a bit wary. In the meantime, I have learned to appreciate what I have while I have it.
This week I also learned that people can disappear behind magic blankets and then reappear. They always seem to shout the same thing when they reappear. I'm not sure in which language "peek-a-boo" has its origin, but it must mean "I'm back!" It's really amazing that these people who have completely disappeared somehow return. This kind of magic could sell a lot of tickets in Vegas.
On Monday, I learned that I have a cousin who's just a couple years older than I am. Her name is Charlotte, and she is not keen on my being held by her mommy. I completely understand. I would prefer that my Mommy never holds another baby. Ever. There is some talk of a "sibling" for me, but I really don't see the point. Being the center of attention is working well for me. Best not to fix something if it isn't broken.
That day I learned that people go to hotels to eat and swim in pools and enjoy the sunshine. I learned that restaurants have high chairs similar to the one I have at home. Everyone at the table was impressed that I could sit up all my by myself in the high chair. They were even more impressed when I entertained myself by sucking on a piece of lettuce for ten minutes.
On Friday, I met another baby boy. His name is Colin, and he is tiny. Mommy swears that I was that size - and even smaller - at some point, but I don't believe her. People are always telling me I'm such a "big girl," and surely they aren't all lying. How could I be small and big at the same time? Silly Mommy.
The most important thing that I learned this week is that I am allergic to some kind of food. On Thursday, while Savtah was feeding me yogurt, my cheeks (and then my whole face, arms, and chest) turned bright red with blotchy bumps all over. After a cool bath and a trip to the pediatrician, Mommy reasoned that I am most likely allergic to milk. (Not Mommy's milk, thank goodness!) The excellent news is that most babies outgrow this allergy, so I don't need to give up my dream of eating brie in Paris. Charlotte's Mommy is a pediatric allergist, and she suggested that I go get some testing done so we know for sure what caused me to turn the color of a fire truck. Considering my advanced intellectual development, I am sure that I will pass the aforementioned testing with flying colors.
It's been quite a week. (Aren't they all?) One of these days, I'm going to convince my parents to take it easy and enjoy a nice, quiet week at home with no trips to doctors. They seem to thrive on the excitement, but I'm ready for a few tranquil days.
Speaking of which, Happy Hurricane Season!
Love,
Zelda
This week I learned that my crown is somehow making my head even more perfect than it already is. Ari the Crown-Maker said that I am growing even faster than predicted, which seems wonderful except that it means that I won't be able to wear my crown forever. I'm not sure if one can be a princess without a crown, so this makes me a bit wary. In the meantime, I have learned to appreciate what I have while I have it.
This week I also learned that people can disappear behind magic blankets and then reappear. They always seem to shout the same thing when they reappear. I'm not sure in which language "peek-a-boo" has its origin, but it must mean "I'm back!" It's really amazing that these people who have completely disappeared somehow return. This kind of magic could sell a lot of tickets in Vegas.
On Monday, I learned that I have a cousin who's just a couple years older than I am. Her name is Charlotte, and she is not keen on my being held by her mommy. I completely understand. I would prefer that my Mommy never holds another baby. Ever. There is some talk of a "sibling" for me, but I really don't see the point. Being the center of attention is working well for me. Best not to fix something if it isn't broken.
That day I learned that people go to hotels to eat and swim in pools and enjoy the sunshine. I learned that restaurants have high chairs similar to the one I have at home. Everyone at the table was impressed that I could sit up all my by myself in the high chair. They were even more impressed when I entertained myself by sucking on a piece of lettuce for ten minutes.
On Friday, I met another baby boy. His name is Colin, and he is tiny. Mommy swears that I was that size - and even smaller - at some point, but I don't believe her. People are always telling me I'm such a "big girl," and surely they aren't all lying. How could I be small and big at the same time? Silly Mommy.
The most important thing that I learned this week is that I am allergic to some kind of food. On Thursday, while Savtah was feeding me yogurt, my cheeks (and then my whole face, arms, and chest) turned bright red with blotchy bumps all over. After a cool bath and a trip to the pediatrician, Mommy reasoned that I am most likely allergic to milk. (Not Mommy's milk, thank goodness!) The excellent news is that most babies outgrow this allergy, so I don't need to give up my dream of eating brie in Paris. Charlotte's Mommy is a pediatric allergist, and she suggested that I go get some testing done so we know for sure what caused me to turn the color of a fire truck. Considering my advanced intellectual development, I am sure that I will pass the aforementioned testing with flying colors.
It's been quite a week. (Aren't they all?) One of these days, I'm going to convince my parents to take it easy and enjoy a nice, quiet week at home with no trips to doctors. They seem to thrive on the excitement, but I'm ready for a few tranquil days.
Speaking of which, Happy Hurricane Season!
Love,
Zelda
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)