Weel 47

Dear Zayde,


This week I learned how to push my voice to its upper limits. Mommy calls it "screeching," but Grandma refers to it as the ungodly sound reminiscent of a pterodactyl rehearsing for its audition at a Chinese opera house. I've found that the best times to make this sound are when Mommy is on the phone or when her ears are very close to my mouth. Her reaction is priceless; I had no idea her eyes could roll so far back into her skull.

This week I also learned that being awake late at night is not just for newborns. Even almost-toddlers can enjoy the ambiance of the wee hours while playing, eating, and crying. The truth is, I have been doing this for a reason. (Mommy thinks I'm just teething, but there's more to the story.) I thought that if I could just postpone bedtime long enough, I would be awake when Daddy got home. However, it's hard to stay awake past 10:00 p.m., so I've been dozing during my usual bedtime for an hour or two and then waking up before midnight for a second try at waiting for Daddy. The trick is to wait until Mommy is in bed with the lights off. That's my cue to let her know I'm ready for another round of daily (and nightly!) fun.

This week we all learned that I'm tall enough to reach the piano keys, the top of the dining room table, the bottom of the window blinds, and the cable box. As I write this, Mommy is moving things to higher shelves. She's so selfish. I found out that there are glorious things in the kitchen cabinets, things that rattle and bang, things that "aren't for babies," as usual. Do your cabinets have shelves full of fun and somewhat naughty objects? If you're not sure, I'd be happy to inspect them for you.

As you know, I have a good deal of hair. What you might not know is that, until this week, Mommy had never really brushed my hair. I think she patted my head with her brush a few times over the last 47 weeks, but only now do I possess my very own brush and comb. It's amazing what a little coiffing can accomplish. Mommy was anti-barrette until now, too, but as of this month, I finally get to see past my bangs when she doesn't mind my looking too "girly." I don't expect her to dress me in bows and lace any time soon, but I'm happy to report that she's making progress.


I can see clearly now,
Zelda