On this date...

Three years ago today Melanie woke me up and said that it was time to go to the hospital. Having seen too many movies of babies being born in taxicabs I immediately bolted up, but Melanie said, "no don't worry, there is time. Make your espresso and then we will go."

I made my espresso and we left. At 5:41pm on August 26th, 2001, we had a screaming, annoyed baby with a funny shaped head. Her head is no longer funny shaped, but sometimes she still gets annoyed and even screams. We discourage that, however.

Anyway we spent that night at the hospital, and I came home the next morning to tidy up, and make phone calls and all of that business. I found a completely undrunk cup of espresso sitting on the kitchen counter. Now, if I forget to drink my espresso, I have a three year old who will remind me. She will remind me of all sorts of things, including things like the approach of the garbage truck at the break of dawn ("Babbo! I want to see the garbage truck!" will ring out from her room on Friday mornings).

Three years ago she drank Mamma's milk and did not talk. Now she insists on sparky water (sparkling mineral water - Italian, natch) and sausages and chicken and Greek yogurt with honey. She has definite preferences, and has a mad determination to know the origins of everything she eats (flour is from wheat that grows in fields, salt is evaporated from sea water in France, etc.). She can tell you that the meat from her favorite sausages comes from the pig's shoulder and will correct me when I see a green field out of the corner of my eye and misidentify it as rice when it is really alfalfa.

Three years ago we had to carefully cradle her head when we picked her up. Now, if I am not careful and alert, she will tackle me. She is eager to help with all the chores except cleaning her room, and has gotten to where her help actually makes progress towards getting the chores done. She has started her apprenticeship in the kitchen, as the family pasta maker.

It all amazes me. But my amazement must wait, as she is emitting an aroma, which is a good reminder that she still is a little one.

Anyway, Happy Birthday Amalia Faye Gioconda Cecilia Keilholtz e Neves!