team zissou

Dear Della,

For awhile now, we have enjoyed watching the movie, "The Life Aquatic" and you like to pretend you are Jane, the pregnant reporter. Dad is Ned and I am Eleanor. You like to reinact the scenes and even add in new drama. Like when you need help having your baby, and I pull on one leg while you pull on the other.


While you were getting ready to take a "baf" with Ned, you asked me/Eleanor if we could play the game later. Yes, I said, while we get you ready for bed.

"We going to do it in fwont of us?"

"Yes, we will do it in the future when you are getting ready for bed."

"Den wayter it will be behind us!!"

I love you,

Mama

P A N T S

Dear Della,

We spent this past weekend just the girls as Daddy was out of town. So, Granna came over and we went to breakfast at Old Wives' Tale. After that, we headed to the mall for some clothes shopping as you had informed me awhile ago that you were ready for some jeans!! Should I repeat that? Della June Baldwin wanted some pants! You have not voluntarily worn pants without it being 20 degrees or me reworking the word pants in a few years (save when Grammy bought you Christmans pants). Reworking as in, "Do you want to wear your ballet pants?" which are leggings with lace on the bottom or "Do you want to wear footless tights?".

Three stores and about $225 later (what can I say, I am a sucker for the cute, girl clothes and your pathetic sweet pleading), we headed for home. You got several new dresses, a few tshirts, a skirt, a red cardigan sweater with a hood (“like mama’s”), a swimsuit, some accessories and 3 PAIRS of PANTS that you chose!

As you had fallen asleep on the way home, Granna piled all of the booty on the dining room table. When you woke, you dove right in and began trying on the clothes. You started slowly with a dress but moved quickly into the pink Capri pants with a belt. Though, I need to add, the belt was not exactly what you were looking for. We ended up going back to a store that had a pink belt with butterflies at your insistence.

Once you had on the pants, belt and a shirt tucked in so that you could properly show off the belt in all its glory, you discovered that pants are a little uncomfortable. “They are tight!”, you whined. But, it didn’t deter you. You also followed through on your promise to wear the pants the next day and the next day and the next day though I managed to wash them prior to the second round. So proud!

One of the downsides to the magnificent pants/belt combo is the difficulty in working the belt. Last night, you had me help buckle the belt, but you insisted on stringing the tail-end through the loops yourself. “Wait for it, wait for it”, you mused while stringing.

I love you,

Mama

PS-While Daddy was gone, I invited you to sleep in my bed as a special treat. In the morning (which always is the best time for your little quips) after 2 nights, you told me this:

“I kinda miss my bed”

“You do? I can understand that. Do you want to sleep in your bed tonight?”

“NO!”

the way it is

Dear Della,

Last night, we were all in the kitchen cooking dinner and getting ready for Thanksgiving when Daddy tooted. On the loud side. Here is the conversation that ensued (with me giggling in the background):

"You can't be in the band!"

"Why?"

"Acuz you tooted!"

"People in the band toot. And you toot too."

"Yeah, but I toot sparkles!"

I love you,

Mama

last night in bed

Dear Della,

Last night while getting into your bed, you were wrestling around with your pillows a little. You have 3 in your bed, a full sized, feather pillow with a green, polka dot pillow case, a small fuzzy one that Granna gave you with "Princess" on it and a medium sized, feather pillow with a flower pillow case that I made that you always used when you had your toddler bed.

Now that you have the setup, here is your dialog.

"I don't want to sweep wif dis big piwwow," as you hand it to Daddy.

"I want to sweep wif dis little one," as you rest your head on the fuzzy, Princess pillow. "Dis one is too soft!".

Daddy gently suggests that you sleep with the flower pillow, and you try that one out.

"Dis one is too fwowewy," (translation: flowery) as you reach for the big one on the floor.

"Dis one is not too polka dotty!" and you lay down, content.

I love you,

Mama

on the way to school

Dear Della,

"I had a dweam wif Bawack Obama in it."

"You did?"

"Yeah, he came to my pawty and bwought me a gift."

"Was John McCain there too?"

"Yes, but not the bad pwesident."

"George Bush?"

"Yeah!"

I love you,

Mama

heard in bed

Dear Della,

This morning we were laying in bed together (my favorite way to wake up). We were looking at a little book that Granna had given me years ago which was difficult for me because I didn't have my glasses on.

"Wets wead dis witto book."

"Ok, we can read a few pages."

"Five, fow, fee, seconds..."

I love you,

Mama

guts and insides

Dear Della,

Yesterday, we spent the day together enjoying the final days of summer. We went to the library, had lunch at Hollywood Burger Bar, purchased a used/new to you raincoat and cat rain boots, visited Children's Garden and played in the fountain at Jamison Square. By the time we met Daddy at the Lucky Lab, I was exhausted but happy.

You were so happy to be in the fountain. You basically threw your boots off and ran into the water screaming. You informed me that you were screaming because you were having fun. I spent most of the time reading my book and glancing up every 2 or 3 sentences to scan the throngs of children in search of your blue polka dotted swimsuit. I enjoyed watching the crowd too as almost everyone had a smile on there face, kids to adults.

At the library, we found the normal kid books, but we also found an anatomy book from the " 'dult " section. I picked it up for you as you have been talking about how babies breath and eat with your classroom at ChildRoots.
The first thing you asked, "Is there any pee?". You have since seen a cross section of a vertebrae that has the spinal cord in a yellow color. That will forever be known to you as pee. We took it into school today and you proudly showed it off to Teacher Jessica and Harry. On this picture, you informed him that it was, indeed, pee. He responded that it was the same color as pee. He is so good about just reflecting your thoughts and comments. But, of course, I had to say that, "No, it is just the inside of the back bones, blah, blah, blah." I don't think you really care what it actually represents. You also really like looking at the hand bones, putting your hand on it and noticing that the picture is "vewy tiny".

This comes on the heals of watching a Magic School Bus episode that shows the inside of a kid's digestive track. You have always been so fascinated with the Magic School Bus books, and I find it fascinating that you like science so well. It has reinforced my decision to change your preschool. You often tell me that you like your old school better and that "everyone hates you" at your new school. Well, you never talked about a snail's big foot (we even brought one in that is still living in your room) or uterus' or looked for potato bugs at your old school.

I love you,

Mama

to be frank

Dear Della,

We have been hanging out on our own this week as Daddy has been at his bike repair class in Ashland this week. Here is an excerpt from our conversation tonight:

"Tomorrow is going to be Mama's day,"

"Yeah! Now, I won't hate you!"

Thanks my dear. I aim to please.

I love you,

Mama

what else?

Dear Della,

Yesterday, we had a fun afternoon on Uncle Benny's boat on Lacamas Lake. I don't think you really knew what to expect when I told you where we were going.

Once we were all in the boat with pfd's on the kids, we went puttering away from the dock. Then, Uncle Benny opened it up and you started screaming. With joy! You were so happy to be going fast. You asked for your sunglasses. Once you had them on, you sat in the chair smiling, shaking your hair a little in the wind and screaming. " THIS IS SO MUCH FUNNNNN!", you yelled.

You weren't as excited when we stopped and through the anchors down as you liked "going fast". But, Aunt Jen inflated the "Island Oasis" which is a hug raft that has a section cut out and a net at the bottom for little people to swim in it. You played on that and in the lake with me and on the ladder at the back of the boat. You cried for awhile "acuz my wife jacket is toooo tiiiggghhht". But, my operation Ignore It worked out well and you stopped.

It was very relaxing, and I was able to enjoy playing with cousin Sammy as well. When we got back, Ben treated us to dinner at the Moose Lodge. It was too bad that I forgot my camera though.

Here is an excerpt from our conversation on the way home:

"Why we onwy do two fings today?"

"What do you mean?"

"We onwy go on the boat an' go to dinnaw. Why"?

I love you,

Mama

introductions

Dear Della,

This morning on the way into school you were BERY hungy. "What do you have for me?", you inquired. "Goldfiss, almonds, raisins, milk?", you continued. I gave you some goldfish but mentioned that we should save the rest until after school as you are always hungry then. I also added that they should be having snack when we get to school and you could eat then. That didn't seem to pacify you.

Once we got to school, the other kids were eating bagels and cream cheese. I pointed it out to you, but you immediately turned your nose up at that and ran off to play.

I heard you talking to Kennedy and mentioning how you both have flowers on. I went over there to say goodbye to you. Here is what you said:

"Kennedy, Kennedy, meet my mom." You gestured with your hands just like adults do and made it seem like a true introduction.
"Here is Cailan. He is so funny."

I love you and the entertaining way you speak,

Mama

sophisticated nose

Dear Della,

Yesterday, we had a nice day lounging around the house and cuddling. It was kinda cold and raining all day plus, I have to admit, Mama will more than a little hung over. Thanks JennRenn! For once, Della, you were more than willing to sit on the couch with me most of the day! How lovely for me.

Anyway, you came into the bathroom after I had been in there for sometime. I see you cover up your nose and you announce, "It stinks in he-uh! Spray somefing!". It did but I found it funny that you were commenting on it. See, you just learned how to breath in through your nose when asked to smell something. We have been working on this concept since you were about 1 and you learned the sign for flower which is sniffing through your nose. Only for you, it has always been exhaling.

You also should not caste stones about bathroom etiquette. You see, my dear daughter, you have taken to wiping your nether regions on the bathmat or shower current if you do not properly wipe. Which is most of the time. This reminds me of story by David Sedaris, but in his tale they had brown towels. We have white, white bathmat, white shower curtain, white washcloths. Some of the aforementioned linens now have mysterious brown marks on them. I am trying to alleviate the use of bleach in our household but it will make an appearance when I wash these tainted items. Your dad may never be able to use them again.

I love you anyway,

Mama

PS - I should also mention here since this post is about the potty that you have spontaneously stopped using your "seat" on the toilet. You now sit on it like a big girl without any prompting by us. This is perhaps why you have been having trouble with the whole wiping thing as you have to balance yourself on the toilet with both hands.

the wine-o

Dear Della,

Here is a snipit from our conversation on the way home from school today:

"I can't drink wine anymore."

"Why?"

"Acuz I have babies in my belly. Two babies."

"You do?"

"Yes, they are crawling in my belly. A boy and a girl. Their names are Henry and Della. So, I can't drink any wine with you."

Some time passes as we drive then,

"I don't have babies anymo'ah. Let's go inside and have some wine."

So, I am sitting here typing this having to fight you over how much of my wine you are drinking. "Just a couple of sips", I say as you try to gulp it then blow as hard as possible on my new soprano recorder.

a day in the life

Dear Della,

So , right after I put you to bed tonight, I expected to sit down to jot out a quick letter to you about the several funny things you did tonight. It was way layed by the fact that I tried to turn on the TV to have a little background action while I wrote to you and the volume didn't come on the set. Fast forward twenty five minutes later and here I sit. Tired.

You sat on my lap tonight while at dinner and made a grumpy face out of the blue. While looking at a flower on the table. "What", I asked and you. "I am angy at you for breaking my delphinum."

The other day, while at Portland Nursery, you picked out a pretty blue Delphinium that we planted. I rolled up the hose that we had used to fill your pool but did it the lazy way. Over the top of the plants instead of around. If it had been you doing this, I would have been upset. But, I was tired and in a hurry. Of course, it broke of the flowering stock. I apologized to you and put it in a glass on the dining room table. You are still peeved.

I love you,

Mama

PS - I just finished this post today, 6/6/08, as I guess I was too tired to finish it the night I started. Yesterday, you saw that your Delphinium has some new buds on it. Just like I tried to explain to you that it would but to no avail. You just kept asking, "Why?". Because of gravity, Della. (Thanks Scott)

marry her off early

Dear Della,

Last night while we were eating dinner, I asked about your day at school. You said that you played wedding with Brock and Henry. I inquired about details but following you sometimes is a little difficult.

This morning, when we went into your classroom, you immediately went and got a piece of pink, tulle-like material. While you busied yourself with that, Teacher Brittany asked me if I heard about your wedding yesterday.

Brittany told me that she saw you with the material over your head and playing with Henry. She also saw something under the material and gestured to her midriff area. She asked what you guys were doing. You informed her that "Henwy and me awe gettin' mawwied and havin' a baby!". She also said that you were asking people to be your bridesmaid.

I laughed out loud at that story! After hearing it, you said "I gonna get mawwied when I get bigga!". When is that? Next year, 7, 10? Let me know 'cause I want to know when I can start sleeping in again.

I love you,

Mama

self discipline

Dear Della,

While I should probably be writing to you about our Christmas experiences, I cannot seem to muster up the energy and thought I would probably be more likely to remember your exuberance of Christmas than the little vignettes that pepper our days. Plus, I have a video of Christmas morning!

So, back to the subject I wanted to talk about. You got up from bed the other night. Something that you have been doing more of lately, unfortunately. This time you came out with a little sheepish smile on your face. You walked up to the TV and said, "no TV". Nope, no TV. We sat on the couch and cuddled for awhile. You also said "no cookies, no candy". Yea, nope to those too.

The interesting thing about your comments is that saying no to you about these particular items doesn't happen very often and never at night. You do not normally have a problem with excessive TV (perhaps that is MY problem) or too much candy. We are usually corralling you around cleaning up, not drawing on the walls, putting clothes on, etc. So, we find it intriguing that you knew TV and treats were off limits after bedtime. You have more self discipline than I do! But, trust me, the irony of saying a 3 year old is able to practice self control is not lost of me.

I love you,

Mama

sneaky nakedity

Dear Della,

Yesterday, you were more fired up than normal. You combined 2 of your favorite activities of late, climbing and taking your clothes off.

I was downstairs checking work emails, and I thought I should come up to check on you and see what collateral damage occurred by your antics. I came up the stairs and looked around the kitchen then heard a giggle. You were up on the chopping block, nude, eating off of the gingerbread house you made with Marlee. And, you were smiling and giggling mischievously. If I had been Aunt Phae, I would've run to get the camera before going into my discipline speech. But, I had to forgo the urge as I need to nip this new climbing urge in the bud!

A little later in the afternoon, after I had put clothes back on you but you had gone to the bathroom and failed to return with the bottom half of your clothes, you stood in the front window. Sarah and Sophie pulled up for a surprise visit, and they also received a surprise of you standing in the window with only a shirt on your body!

I think the next year will be challenging!

I love you,

Mama

i need a wax

Dear Della,

Yesterday morning, we were laying in bed together. I kissed you on the cheek and said good morning. You replied with a nice kiss on the lips and said, "Good mowning, kid! Awe you gwowing a beawd?" "Why," I asked, "because of the hair on my upper lip?".

"Yes."

It must be time for me to have my upper lip waxed. I think I have an appointment next week.

I love you, despite the fact that you think I could have a new career in the circus.

Mama

kid....kiiiddd!!!

Dear Della,

For the past few months, you have liked role playing with me. "You kid and I mama," is usually how you begin. For the most of yesterday, I was the kid and I knew that because you would call for me with. "Kid.....KIIIIDDD". So, when you came into our room this morning and the roles continued I was not surprised.

At 6:12am (I know because I always look at the clock when you wake me up), Daddy brought you into bed and you announced that "I wanna tell stowy wif 2 bad guys, kid". Why would I deny you such a gift even if I was secretly begging that you would go back to sleep? "Once upon a time," is how your story began and it ended with "and they lived happily ever after". I am unsure about the middle portion partially because I was so sleepy but mostly because it was hard to follow what you were saying. I did know that the story didn't include any bad guys which I asked you about. You continued the story and it contained Feeping Beauty, Cindawewa and Awiew.

I have never heard you talking so much to us. We do hear you narrate story lines when you are playing with your toys. It actually gives us good reads on where you are and what you are up to because your voice carries so well as it usually goes up several octaves but am never able to understand what you are actually saying.

Anyway, thanks for the stories this morning. I hope to hear more of them.

I l0ve you,

Mama

iwannachoose

Dear Della,

An excerpt from our last conversation tonight:

"Que sera, sera wha..."

"iwannachoose"

"What?"

"I want to choose"

"Oh, do you want me to sing Que Sera or Edelweiss?"

"Que sewa!"

I love you,

Mama

my birthday

Dear Della,

Yesterday, we celebrated my birthday a little early by having our family over for brunch. You were most excited about seeing Michael, and he seemed most excited about our bedroom ceiling fan.

You helped me open my gifts and promptly took away the items you liked the most. The flower sachets went into your closet to make your clothes smell good. The soap, that you correctly identified as the Eiffel Tower, went in and out of the box until I put them away not wanting them to turn to soap dust.

In the evening while we watched Spiderman 2, in between bursts of "Peta Pawker is Spidaman!" and "why, why, why", you mentioned that I did not get any toys for my birthday. "No, I didn't get any toys", I responded but left it at that. You proclaimed that you were going to ask Santa for toys. I think that is a great idea. Besides, if I got toys for my birthday, I probably wouldn't want to share them!.

Love,

Mama