Kid.

by Alexa on September 14, 2009

Hee

She walks like a pro, as if she’s been doing it for years—professionally, even—and will not keep her glasses on, which is almost as irksome as the fact that she still doesn’t eat. But it’s hard to stay mad at someone so cute.

She is getting long curls of hair on the sides and at her nape, but despite the party in the back, the front is still all business, if by “business” you mean “bald.”

She says “SHUUSS” (shoes) “DEH DA” (Daddy) “BUH” (button—the girl loves buttons) “BA BA” (bottle, and also me, wtf), BEH BEH (baby), HAH! (hot), and GEH-TUH (kitty). She says something that sounds uncomfortably like “SHIT,” and has a favorite expression: “SHIH-SHUUUH!” We don’t know what it means, but she says it very earnestly.
She says and waves “BUH BAH!”—cheerfully but pointedly—at the nanny as soon as I return home.

When asked for their location she will point to her nose, her ear (smacking self emphatically on side of head), and her teeth. Eyes are still a mystery and get the EAR smacking again, but I’m not sure I want her jabbing fingers eyeward anyway, so there’s no rush.

She loves any ball or ball shaped item (“BA! BA! BA!” she cries, pointing at the red cement spheres at the entrance to Target), and one of her current favorites is a spherical lip balm I brought back from BlogHer. I have tried explaining that this is not, strictly speaking, a ball, but she waves me aside, bored by my narrow interpretation of the concept. If you really want to make her happy, give her a whole orange—IT’S A BALL THAT SMELLS GOOD. The downside of this is that you will never be able to eat an orange in her presence again.

She adores her baby–a small doll–and anything vaguely baby-esque, including a blonde Playmobil figurine. She kisses these babies on the face, and entreats you to kiss them as well, again and again. This makes her squirm with glee, and tilt her head coquettishly to the side.

She knows to put the phone to her ear, if by “ear” you mean “neckish area.”

She likes to carry around a long xylophone mallet, or plastic cups to put things in (wee spoons, more of the omnipresent balls.) She gets overexcited and shrieks when we play catch.

Despite her distaste for human food, she is constantly trying to get at the cats’ bowls to consume a handful of dessicated fishmeal pellets, or whatever it is that they eat, and she is starting to throw little mini-tantrums when she doesn’t get her way. I am told that this is to be expected. She does not listen to reason, and wouldn’t do so even if she knew what it was.

She loves music, sweet soul music, any kind of music, and frequently adds new dance moves to her repertoire. She claps along to “Private Eyes,” though not at the appropriate intervals. When we praise her, she gives herself a round of applause.

She has learned that she can scream piercingly, and occasionally does: standing on the bed, flinging her arms joyfully into the air before flopping onto the mattress.

She knows to be “gentle” with the cats, and pets them with a sort of “Wax On, Wax Off” motion. She gives kisses, and while she still blatantly, fervently prefers her father to me, at night I am the one whose hair she must fondle and press her face into before she can fall asleep, curled under my arm, and if she wakes she reaches out to do it again. While I have no proof of this, I like to think that a disembodied wig would not give her the same comfort.

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{ 61 comments… read them below or add one }

Kristin September 14, 2009 at 9:41 pm

I absolutely loved this update. Thank you so much for posting this little snapshot of her life right now. It was lovely – I just want to cuddle her, yet I’ve never even met her.

You have such a gift for putting your reader right into the moment. I can’t wait to read your book!

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Catherine September 14, 2009 at 9:49 pm

She will read that post when she is older. What a gift.

p.s. if she won’t keep her glasses on, that suggests that they may not be helping her eyesight that much. Perhaps the glasses have improved her eyesight and it’s time for a new prescription?

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beyond September 14, 2009 at 9:54 pm

what a lovely post.
she walks and she talks, how on earth can that be? time flies. next thing we know she’ll be in first grade.
she looks so happy and healthy she must be feeding on fresh air and mama and deh-da’s love.

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babelbabe September 14, 2009 at 10:02 pm

she is adorable. this is both an exasperating and exhilarating age.

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Beth September 14, 2009 at 10:06 pm

Wow, is she adorable. What a lovely description.

Love the Baby of the Week caption… hilarious!!!

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Katy September 14, 2009 at 10:07 pm

I stumbled onto your blog a couple of months ago after reading your article on alphamom. My daughter also had to stay in the NICU, and I began to read through your archived posts after reading about your experience with Simone. Now that I’m caught up to the present, I don’t like waiting for your new posts. :o) Thank you for a charming peek into Simone’s world right now.

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Kate September 14, 2009 at 10:17 pm

She’s all of a sudden become a little person! I love it! And how did that happen??

She’s growing up into quite the girl, isn’t she?

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pixi September 14, 2009 at 10:21 pm

She is SO cute.

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Libby September 14, 2009 at 10:23 pm

I love the talking! How fun!

I would be careful about letting her wear those glasses too much though, she could become a “hipster.”

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mommymae September 14, 2009 at 10:33 pm

well! if she can’t clap along to “private eyes” just yet we may need some early halls & oates intervention.

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Kristin September 14, 2009 at 10:33 pm

Beautiful.

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megs September 14, 2009 at 10:39 pm

“I Can’t Go For That (No Can Do)”=shamefully/awesomely a theme song for Hank’s early babyhood, for reasons I can’t quite remember.

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Jamie September 14, 2009 at 10:42 pm

big smiles after this post!

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ami September 14, 2009 at 10:58 pm

Such a sweet baby girl, who is very obviously loved and adored! You are doing a fantastic job!

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Kirsten September 14, 2009 at 11:13 pm

How wonderful! I started reading when you went into the hospital and have checked nearly every day since (and am partly through the archives, but I am saving them just like I did my Easter candy so that I don’t run out too soon.) I didn’t realize that I have been eagerly awaiting a post like this, but it turns out I have! So glad to hear how well she is doing. It must be not only a joy for you, but also a relief.

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Jenny September 14, 2009 at 11:15 pm

Such a big girl! Thanks for the update.

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Katherine September 14, 2009 at 11:15 pm

“SHIH-SHUUUH” sounds like she could be trying to say “thank you” in Mandarin! She’s bilingual, brilliant AND polite!

Seriously, she is quite a cutie!

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clarabella September 14, 2009 at 11:26 pm

She is just adorable. I think she is too cute in her glasses!

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Kymmi September 14, 2009 at 11:37 pm

This was beautiful! Have you taught her to “blow kisses” yet when you leave? I scoffed at daycare when they started, but remains one of my favorite babyhood memories.

She’s going to read this one day (after post her I-hate-you-because-you-don’t-understand-me! teenage phase) and smile. A lot.

You’re a great mom.

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twangy September 15, 2009 at 4:52 am

Oh how magical this age is! Lovely post.

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Shannon Kieta September 15, 2009 at 6:38 am

I am at the same stage with Abbie. She is kissing and hugging baby dolls. Talking on cell phones and real phones, and talking up a storm! She just turned a year Sept. 4. It’s funny how fast they grow up. Don’t miss a thing!

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Bethany September 15, 2009 at 7:46 am

This entry was beautiful, and as my husband and I are juuuust starting to veer into the “maybe we should start thinking about kids” direction, it was pretty encouraging.

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sweetsalty kate September 15, 2009 at 7:47 am

I vote for SHIH-SHUUUH to mean WHADDEVAH.

I want glasses like hers. She’s so styley.

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Melanie September 15, 2009 at 8:01 am

too stinking cute….its fun to see how similar our kids are hitting their milestones….Simone has more words though!

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Kris September 15, 2009 at 8:38 am

Ha! My two-year-old says “ball!” with enthusiasm at Target too. Right now he’s working on counting but pretty much only gets to two, so it’s usually, “Ball! Two balls! Red balls, Mama!”

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Cris September 15, 2009 at 9:12 am

I loved this post–not oly to see what Simone is up to, but also made me think about all the amazing things my daughter has done in the past year (she’ll be 2 next month). Recently, after she completes reciting the alphabet, she says, “That’s great!” So I’m glad to see that both she and Simone have a tendency at self-promotion and perhaps a resolute lack of humility!

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Lawyerish September 15, 2009 at 9:12 am

Aaah! I love this. She sounds like so much fun. What a little character. And the last part absolutely killed me dead.

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Alexicographer September 15, 2009 at 9:59 am

I just referred Bee in the Bonnet on behalf of a friend of hers to you for NICU information (perhaps redundantly) and then clicked over to read this. What a joyful post to see after following much (I’m about like Kirsten) of what you and she have gone through. With some others commenters, this delights me in part because it makes me think of what my DS is doing … much like Simone’s self-applause, he likes to bring me things, hand them to me, and then say, “Thank YOU!” Cracks me up.

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Christiana September 15, 2009 at 10:45 am

Yet another kid in my own daughter’s age bracket who has more words… I try not to compare, but…
They say at 20-24 months all kids want their mommy’s more than anyone in the world. I can’t tell if I am excited about the prospect or terrified that 1) she won’t let me go or 2) she’ll actually prefer her daddy (as she does now, though when he’s not around, I’ll do in a pinch) and mommy just won’t do. I guess I alternate. I’m curious as to how Simone will handle that phase, since you say she has the same daddy preference right now.

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Rhi September 15, 2009 at 11:08 am

I just love this.

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Sara September 15, 2009 at 11:22 am

Sounds like you have yourself a normal, delightful, exasperating toddler! I read about Simone’s early days while I was heavily pregnant with my daughter who is close in adjusted age to Simone, and it sounds like we are both in the same era of constant awe – amazing, isn’t it? With all you went through to get to this point, I am so very happy for you.

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Maxmaman September 15, 2009 at 11:37 am

Oh my, what a lovely description of your beautiful Simone. It brought me back to those precious early toddler days… Enjoy!

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Jen September 15, 2009 at 12:01 pm

Oh, Man. I miss those days. How cute! Between your great description and watching old baby videos of my daughter last night, I almost have baby fever. (But not quite; we are DONE.)

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Corrine September 15, 2009 at 12:49 pm

Alexa, your writing style continues to delight me. The mix of the regular life with your precise use of the language. Love it.

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Allie September 15, 2009 at 2:29 pm

I second the vote for Simone’s early bilingual tendancies – it even sounds like she’s using the correct emphasis in her beginning Mandarin! Perhaps a semester of preschool abroad is in order? ;)

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Colleen September 15, 2009 at 6:18 pm

The “Shih-suuuh” might be her attempt at Simone. I remember when my son was about the same age, he would *very* emphatically say “Si!” “Si!” hundreds of times each day. Turns out he was saying his own name, Finn, but just couldn’t pronounce his Fs or Ns yet. : )

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tree town gal September 15, 2009 at 7:54 pm

Delicious post — thank you. And the last paragraph — the nuzzle part — makes me teary. You are a momma… you are such a good momma.

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Sarah B September 15, 2009 at 8:08 pm

What a fun post! I wish we were close enough to have playdates with our girls. Sophie’s cringe-inducing word is, um, “knock” but not quite, nope, not quite.

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bon September 15, 2009 at 8:18 pm

love her. and i’m sure she loves you. though dessicated wigs are surprisingly charming, too.

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Keri September 15, 2009 at 8:25 pm

Actually…the wig might work. It did for one child that I cared for at a daycare center. He loooooved to suck his thumb and work his fingers on the other hand through someone’s hair, thus the wig at home. His mother said that after months of use, it was dreadlocked and disgusting. I’m glad they never brought it to the daycare center.

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Tami September 15, 2009 at 8:25 pm

What a sweetie!! Great post! Oh, and I got a real tickle out of your “Baby of the Week” comment. LOL!

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Laura September 15, 2009 at 8:44 pm

This post brought both tears and smiles. I remember the day you wrote about going to get your hair done, and when you returned to the NICU, Simone had taken a serious turn for the worse. At the time, I could feel the terror in your words. It was gut wrenching. That’s why it is pure joy to read about and “see” everything she is doing today. Thank you for continuing to share your family’s story. Simone is truly beautiful.

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sinda September 15, 2009 at 10:03 pm

Sweetest Post (& Child) Ever.

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Be Like the Squirrel, Girl September 15, 2009 at 11:15 pm

I love her. She is so sweet and amazing.

My baby can identify lots of people, especially daddy, but when I ask her where’s “Mama?” she has no idea, and it makes me a little crazy. It must be because she considers me to be merely an extension of herself.

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Kate September 16, 2009 at 10:25 am

Our daughters were born just 2 weeks apart. I remember reading all of your posts about the NICU with a newborn in my arms and crying with the unfairness of it all. Our daughters had very different beginnings, but 19 months later, they sound an awfully lot a like. What a beautiful and amazing girl you have.

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Claire September 16, 2009 at 11:44 am

“SHIH-SHUUUH!”

It’s TISSUE, people, tissue!

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megs September 16, 2009 at 2:55 pm

It took me listening to NPR to get your caption for this weeks Baby of the Week. Because I embarrassingly out of touch. Sigh. So out of touch I get my pop culture via NPR.

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Corinne September 16, 2009 at 10:08 pm

What’s Simone’s adjusted age now? And when did she start walking (adjusted)? did you guys do any physical therapy?
My little guy (born at 34w3d, actual age 14.5 months, adjusted age 13mo) has been evaluated at about 7 months for large motor. No walking/crawling/cruising/pulling to stand, unable to get in or out of sitting. He’s healthy otherwise. He’s going to start some PT, and you’re my go-to for all things preemie. Make me feel better. It’s all going to be ok, right?

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Corinne September 18, 2009 at 8:34 am

P.S. Perhaps “SHIH-SHUUUH” is “Sit with you”? Is it said with a book in hand?

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deborah September 18, 2009 at 10:17 am

What a great post! You know what the writing style reminds me of? “She Belongs to Me” by Bob Dylan.

And please, more google analytics!

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