Genevieve and I played in F.A.O. Schwartz for over two hours. The first stuffed animal she hugged to her chest was a brown shaggy thing called an Ugly Doll. It had two removable Velcro kidneys. Next was a Peek-a-Boo baby doll wearing a duck suit, then a moment later, a Peek-a-Boo baby doll, Pistachio, wearing a hippo suit.
She hugged at least half a dozen bunnies, two tigers, a handful of teddy bears and a small ottoman. She rode a fuzzy rocking airplane and duck, crawled along a $250,000 life-size piano, which she drooled upon, and wiped up a few hallways of the store with her roughed-up pink knees.
We then met up with Nick, rode the subway home together and rented some videos. We watched “Sideways” tonight. This is the kind of film I like—character driven, realistic and very funny in that uncomfortable, you feel for the person way.
Genevieve is really progressing with her eating and speaking talents. She seems to be clearly saying, “More”, when she wants, well, more. And she ate corn niblets off of an adult fork, all on her own. I wish I could get that excited when I speak single-syllable words and correctly aim an eating utensil into my mouth.
I guess I could. I mean, there’s nothing stopping me. Except my own, what should I call it? My own adult and reasonable self. Why must I be so reasonable?
Why can’t I just cut loose and find joy in the word “more”?
sheila, I really enjoy your blog. I was blogging existed when my kids were born.
ReplyDeleteI come by here now and again, and am always transported with memories. Thank you.
The first time I happened upon your blog, I looked at your profile pic and thought, wow, she looks like my student, Genevieve! Of course, as I read on, I learned that your baby's name is Genevieve. From then on, I was hooked into your narration of your day-to-day.
My student Genevieve is one of my favorite people. I expect big things from your Genny.
blessings
Thank you! It's very gratifying to know that my words can bring back sweet memories for someone else.
ReplyDeleteAh, Sheila-baba, you ask the question all adults ask. The true sturggle of life is never forgetting to be a kid. Unfortunately, as adults, we do forget to be kids.
ReplyDeleteA large part of being a happy adult is allowing ourselves time to play. That's hard to do with chores and responsibilities. Adults are supposed to be reasonable.
I envy children because they don't have to "make time" to "make fun."