Segni della Autostrada

Sometimes truth emerges after much thought and soul-searching. Other times it's while you're driving or performing other mundane tasks.

A few things that have occurred to me this week:

• Is there such a thing as organic fruit snacks? Yes. They're called raisins.
  
• If you want to learn a language try a children's music tape. When you awaken in the middle of the night you'll be singing yourself to sleep saying things like, "Il ragno fila la su hotella (sic)," or "Tante auguri a te, spendi li candellini!" or "Mi piace la spiagia."
  
• The Paradise Valley United Methodist Church needs a little instruction in verbage for their road signs. The sign that welcomes you to their driveway says, "It's the children, for Christ's sake." I don't think they mean it that way.
  
• It's easier to go back to work than to stay home with your child--easier on one's mental health anyway.
  
• I'm going to wrap some empty boxes for Stella to open for her birthday and Christmas because she prefers packaging to toys.
  
• I like hanging my clothes out to dry.
  
• If you fail to plan, you plan to fail.
  
• Who are the Joneses anyway? As in who is it that everyone is keeping up with these days? What's the norm--for anything?
  
• It's very easy to judge others. Yet I undoubtedly judge others incorrectly all the time.
  
• "Make new friends but keep the old. One is silver and the other gold."
  
  

Cutest Nonsense Ever

Little Stelly

Today I watched from afar as Stella played with another child. Or rather, she played near her. This girl was bigger and older. Stella had a little ball she was chewing on and this girl stole it from her. Not that big of a deal. Stella didn't cry. But she unwaveringly pursued that ball and attempted to retrieve it from the bigger girl. She failed. But she eventually stole a toy from a child smaller than herself.

Then tonight she had a bit of a fretful time falling asleep. I think her teeth must hurt her. Usually she cries and wants to be held. Tonight she lay in her crib and stared up at me, mouth agape, forlorned sounds coming from within and slowly sobbed herself unconscious. Kinda makes your heart break.

I prefer to remember her like this:

Hitting the Hay; or "Let's Go Take a Warm Bath, Get Lotioned Up, Read a Book and Get Our Back Rubbed"

Wouldn't you be ready to sleep? I know I would.

But Stella? She's all, "Please. This is so old. I want to thrash my limbs about some more."



"You don't seriously think you're getting rid of me so easily?"



"Sweepy? Am I sweepy? No. I am not."



"You doubt my powers. What is this book you want to read? It looks titillating, Mother. I'll sit still for all 300 pages. Commence reading your novel to me."

Get Caught Reading

Remember those reading posters that hung in the library when you were in school?

Hardly Deprived

Some people think it's odd that we don't have a TV. Some people think that Stella is deprived. The funny thing is that I haven't really noticed not having a TV for some time. I forget it is an option. That's not to say that I don't enjoy TV. I love The Food Network and I relish Law and Order marathons, but overall there's not a whole lot on the tube. This summer we spent a lot of time at Kathy's house. While we were there the TV was on. I watched Oprah regularly. It's true. And Stella tried out television, but as with most toys she receives these days, she's always more interested in some other aspect of the toy. As you can see she's fascinated with the buttons while the large screen looms overhead.

Nowadays she spends time pushing an Otter Pop box around our newly finished living room. Her grandma bought her a little car thing that you can push around and learn to walk with, but she prefers her box. Such is life.

Grandparent's Day 2006

Well, Hallmark, color me late. Does anyone else stay on top of this? I guess this is the problem with not having television--no commercials to remind me what to buy.

So, Grandparents-of-Stella, consider this a greeting from your one-and-only grandchild! She appreciates all you do for her and she looks forward to the oneupsmanship that she will be the benefactor of at her birthday party on November 18th. (Yes, mark your calendars!) She wants some cool things. She told me so.

Things Stella Has Put in Her Mouth During Our Hiatus

Bleu Cheese
Spicy Lentil Soup
Insulation
Cigar Tube
Clothes Pin
Kraft Mac-n-Cheese
Chalk
Sand
Dirt

And the dirt? Twice. On two separate occassions, like she enjoyed it and went back for more.

It's Something

This is the girl. And already this is a month old. I'm so out-of-shape for blogging. My mind is a blur and my right index finger has a cut that prohibits typing with ease.

Dereliction of Duty

Well, my computer is still elsewhere, but I've been getting the virtual hairy eyeball from people for not putting up recent pictures of Stella. Here are a few things that have happened:

• Stella can stand on her own
  
• I cut my finger on a can of turkey
  
• Tiny has chewed three toys
  
• My barking petition was DENIED!
  
• We finished Arrested Development Season 3
  
• Stella got a huge bug bite on her cheek so she looks like a chipmunk
  
• I switched to a beta version of Blogger and now I can't upload pictures!
  

What is with your luck? You still get no pictures of the cutest Stella in the world.

Service Temporarily Interrupted

We are enduring more technical difficulties over here. In the meanwhile, my husband learns to mix cocktails and Stella ages rapidly. Unfortunately, I have no proof of either.