30th
20-month Open Letter
Liebe Hannah,
It has been another crazy month for you and for me. Papa is settling into work. You and I have settled into a schedule also, however temporary. The last two weeks, our new babysitter, Kelsey, helped me out with you in the mornings. Starting this week you entered Camp Cricket at the University Montessori school. You will be there 9 – 12 each day for the next 3 weeks until we leave for Nebraska. You and I are headed back to NE for Wimmer’s 75th anniversary of the company. Also, Great Grandpa Harold is not doing so well. He is very sick with lung cancer and we want to see him and for him to see you.
Today I am a little bit sad and frustrated as I search for a solution for you to be among other children starting this school year. Everything is full and it seems you are on about 3 – 5 different waiting lists. Ideally I would keep you at the University Montessori. They are very nice there, and you really seem to like it. Something will work out.
Mama is learning patience in this move: patience with the search for a home, patience with making new friends, patience with you so close to me every day, patience with the sale of our Lincoln house, patience with finding a new doctor. You are helping me learn this patience by testing it every day, mostly as you tease me with a smile, running off or turning over (mostly both) as I try to change your diaper or tweaking my nose as I snuggle beside you while trying to put you down for a nap. YOU are a stubborn one. You are my daughter.
Mama changed her name, adding Papa’s and your last name, this month in order to unify our family on paper. This is another big adjustment for me, but I like sharing your name.
You have your new room with your own new BIG bed since we arrived here. No more crib. That is now tucked away to be unpacked for your sibling in a few months. Here you are brushing your teeth with Papa on your new big bed:
Yesterday I noticed your canine teeth poking through on your left side, finally! Those big holes in your mouth may finally be filled. That might explain your long naps and big appetite and occasional night waking. It is hard work growing teeth and it hurts when they cut through. As all the Germans said to us, though, “Du bist hart im Nehmen.” I know you are tough. When you trip from running so fast or don’t look where you are going (which is almost always) and bump your head, you usually get right up and keep at it. You are always afraid you might miss something.
We went to the beach with you last Saturday, out to Ship Island off the coast of Gulfport, MS. YOU LOVED THE BEACH. We are still cleaning sand out of your crevices. Although we woke you so early and you slept not a wink on the drive to the port, you never slept on the beach nor on the ferry ride home. You were out once the car was loaded and you were strapped in for the drive home, however. Always afraid you might miss something.
You sibling has been turning somersaults in my belly these past 2 weeks, a reminder that he/she, too, needs some attention. Mama is a little freaked about all the changes she is facing, but I just need to face them one at a time, 1 – 2 per day. We are all going to be OK. Patience.
I am glad your patience with me hasn’t run out. I am trying the best I can, Maus. And just as you have missed seeing other children, I have missed my own friends and adult conversation. Patience. We will make this our home yet.
Love,
Mama
