Month 14
posted by emily
Violet, I feel like every day you change so much that I can’t keep up. You’re talking! You learn a new word every day. Today, you named pup pup, your stuffed dog. You are such a quick study. You can find your belly button, and your nose, and today you brought me a sock from across the room when I asked you to. Luckily you have not yet picked up on our foul language, or our habit of ending sentences in prepositions, and we’re working on that, but there are some aspects of personality and language that cannot be changed. I expect some nasty notes from teachers in the future. I think you’re exceptional, Violet. Matt thinks you’re like him. If you are, we are all very lucky. You will be caring and kind, patient, confident and smarter than anyone else in the room.
This month has been exhausting, humbling, and enlightening. Exhausting because I have been working from before dawn to past dusk every day. Following that, I’ve been on call all night. I go to bed and I can’t sleep. The stress is overwhelming. It’s been humbling because despite all the hard work and hard time I’ve put in, I can’t do it all. It’s been enlightening in that I’ve decided what I will and will not do in my future career. After this fellowship, in 1.5 years, I will never again regularly make it home 1/2 hour before your bedtime. I will spend my weekends with you, and we will do fun things together. I will make it to your plays and recitals. I will take you to soccer practice, or violin lessons, or drama club, or whatever you choose to do with your time. I will not bring work home with me. We will go on family vacations. You will know your grandparents, and your uncles and aunts and cousin(s? someday maybe). Not just recognize them, somewhat vaguely, but know the ins and outs of their daily lives. You have a cousin who is your age, Violet! You haven’t even met her yet! But you are going to grow up together, and steal each other’s clothes and boyfriends, and bond over chocolate and nail polish. I am grateful for this time, because I know now how important it is not to let work become everything, as it so easily can become. I love you, and I miss you, and I cannot wait for our lives together.
Happy Birthday, Violet.
Love,
Mama
January 25th, 2010 at 7:29 am |
Well said. Mom and I can’t wait to go whatever she is involved with and the fishing trips will be great fun.
Dad
January 25th, 2010 at 6:20 pm |
I think she is a lot like her Daddy; and what lovely compliments you gave him. They say children feel safe in their world if their parents love each other. Violet obviously feels safe in this world. She is so interested in everything. She does change very quickly. I can’t wait to hear her express her ideas. Wow!
January 26th, 2010 at 9:08 am |
I can see a little girl emerging. In that picture she doesn’t quite look like a baby anymore. You have a fun month coming up, with meeting your great-grandparents, cousin, Aunt and Uncle and great aunts and uncles and teen age girl “cousins.” Such fun.