It is amazing how much she changes everyday and stays the exact same April 4, 2008
Posted by rachelleandgreg in Uncategorized.trackback
Each day Adelle wows us with her knowledge and understanding. I can’t even believe how fast she is changing right before our eyes. At the same time, I am equally amazed at how much her changes make her exactly the same. She has been feeling pretty crumby lately, and so between the regular toddler frustrations, and the life of a sick girl, she has been a bit of a mess. Last night everything in the world was against her and she was just a total ridiculous ball of tantrum. The only thing that could make her feel better, and instantly relieved the pain of being Adelle was the old standby: ‘BABY! - BLANKET! - WALK!’. Last night I was given remarkably clear instructions to pick her up like a baby (on her side in the crook of my arm), wrap her in her blanket (a particular blanket which needed to be tucked in just so), and then get off my butt and walk around with her. Hmmmm….I was thinking, is this child 1 1/2 years old or 3 days old? I seem to recall getting very similar instructions from her at a much earlier age.When she was a baby we used to call it the sleeper hold, because usually it would calm her to the point of sleeping. Last night she went from agonizing tantrum to Zen like inner-calm in less than 3 seconds after securing her in ‘the position’. This is similar transition time to that of her baby days. And like in her baby days, after spending 30 minutes in ‘the position’ I got tired, and tried to sit down. I was quickly reminded that sitting was not an option. In her earlier days, the cue was a scream, now a command ‘WALK’. Only now, I can remind her to say ‘walk please’ which just seems so much easier to agree to then the screaming.
Last night I found myself laughing because I was imagining Adelle on that first night of her life so frustrated with us, trying to figure out what she needed. We naively wrapped her up in her little blanket and once she was sleeping layed her down in the bassinet next to our bed, really looking forward to that blissful first night as a family. Then 20 seconds later, the screaming started…it took us a few minutes to figure out what she wanted…but she was clear with her directions and very quickly we knew that ‘BABY-BLANKET-WALK’ was all that could make her happy. I was laughing while holding Adelle last night thinking about our little 12 hour old baby, saying ‘BABY-BLANKET-WALK’. If she could have spoken that early, I am now certain that that is EXACTLY what she would have said. It is funny, I always wondered when she was a baby what she’d be like when she grew up….each day I learn that she is who she was the day we met her….now she’s just taller, and has a few more words. The best part is that she also has the ability although not always the patience to ask nicely. She knew exactly what she wanted in life the moment we met her, and to date, nothing has changed.
I remember when my niece was this age I was so blown away by how much she loved herself, and I wished that we could all love ourselves throughout our lives the way a toddler can. With Adelle I know she loves herself although it is less obvious to me than it was with my niece. With Adelle what I really see is the unwavering confidence in what she wants in life. She always seems so sure of herself and I think it is so beautiful to feel so confident. It is always so beautiful to see life through the eyes of a toddler and so crushing think how most people loose that self love, self confidence and genuine trust in people through the years and we spend so much of our lives trying to get it back. Why do we do that to ourselves?
Hello Greg, Chelle and Adele
Thank you for sharing such a precious life. She is who she is, ADELE. She has wonderful parents, and they are doing a fantastic job. I wonder, sorry, I can see her be MOTHER-HEN when sibbling comes along. Push over momma, Adele’s here. Have fun…