Chips and Dip
So yesterday for the first time I saw you mimic me... but then it made me think that that wasn't the first time I had noticed it.
First - to what I saw yesterday. Daddy like to make food... not like normal dinner food - he makes Daddy food. Italian Marina style sauce, chili, beef stew, and queso. Last night I made queso.
First when making queso it's important to find a cheese that melts down... you may be thinking - Dad - every cheese melts down. Ah hah - it doesn't. And who knows what cheese will be like by the time you read this. I have to go over to Cross Street Market to get my cheese. It's not special by any means - and I don't know why - but it is the only cheese I have found that actually boils down and doesn't get all clumpy. Remember to use some sour cream, milk, crumbled sausage, lots and lots of varying peppers and try to use 80% pepere jacks (usually a pound) and 25% cheddar. If you can't do that math - you're truly someone else's daughter.
Anyway... after it was made we sat down at the table and poured it into a bowl. You were done with your meal and you were doing your usual thing where you run around and scream. It's pretty cool - but I have to tell you - you're a demanding little bugger. You like to be held all the time. I think it's because your inquisitive and you want to know what everything is. So we're sitting around eating queso and you are on your Mommy's lap and you wanted a chip. And then... with your little paw you dipped it into the queso just like you saw us doing.
You then tasted it.
And then you made an interesting face as the spice of the queso hit your lips. You then dipped again and repeated a few times.
To me - you were doing this out of mimic and it was adorable. And I thought... that's the first time she's ever done this. But in actuality you started doing it when you would wave your finger in the universal symbol for no and say "No, no, no, no." When you have your own children - you'll realize that this is pretty cool and heart warming.
With that said you're start to mimic. And you're starting to communicate very well. You're already quite the mover and shaker. At one you can run and climb and pull yourself up.
Now I have to be careful about what you mimic. Time for Daddy to become much more cognizant of what he does.
Oh and P.S. - just in case you are reading this with anyone - and you want to be embarrassed - you peed on me before bath time last night. Yep... peed all over me. Thanks pops.
The Truth of Those Who Have Been There
When you were still in your Mother's belly people told me to take time and cherish the first year. I kinda listened...
But for the most part you're just trying to live life while embracing, loving, and caring for a new full person. And that's not easy. So, what happens? You miss smelling those roses. And with that I apologize for not having written here to you over the last few months. Sometimes I drive into work and I think - "That would be a great topic to write to Ella." And then... the day happens... and it never comes to fruition.
Here are some topics we still need to discover:
1. Christmas
2. Your birthday
3. Walking
4. Bath time
5. Talking
6. You're funny
I'll do my best to cover those over the next couple of weeks. I'm going to set a calendar reminder here at the office to do so. Hopefully "the day" won't take me away so fast and I'll have time to continue to keep this journal for you.
I have to say - you're almost a person now. You definitely have a personality. You're kind to people and animals. You love to laugh. You love all things new and you love to discover things. You're terrified of old men that want to pick you up. You don't like loud noises and you also do not like to be ignored or not paid attention to. Overall you're quite lovely. Your Mother is in love with you. I am head over heals infatuated with you. Everything you do is a new wonder every day and just like I was told - You have to take it all in before you miss it.
I was away from you for about 3 days at one time last month and 3 days another time last month and it's like I missed 6 years of development. You grow so fast and you don't even know it. Don't be in a hurry to get older like I was when I was a kid. I couldn't wait to be 12, and then 16, and then 18 and then... well... and then... you lose some of that magic in life. You have responsibilities. You have decisions that are more important and self-effecting than you did before. All you know now is that you are alive and the world is very new. Try to stay that way for as long as possible.
Love,
Dad
