Sunday, October 17, 2010

Pippi Randoms

This week Pippi celebrated her ninth birthday.

I loved Pippi the minute I met her, even before. She snorted like a piggy as the Warlock and I held her in the hospital, minutes after birth, pushing us into a fit of giggles.

Pippi bears the names of both her grandmothers who are very very faithful, strong people. I see elements of both her grandmas in her, but mostly she is just herself. And we wouldn't have it any other way.

Our family needed Pippi. Shortly after Stacy's birth I kept thinking about a sibling for her, even as the Warlock was saying "Let's wait awhile" and I was trying to figure out the whole motherhood thing. So God surprised us. He knew we would all need her.

At night I would lay down with Stacy and talk about the baby that was coming, and even though she was barely a year old, she got it. And when Pippi came, she wanted to hold her and watch her eat and be with her all the time, sometimes even climbing into the crib with her.
And when Pippi got over the phase where she slept all the time, she followed Stacy everywhere.
Suddenly motherhood became very very easy and these girls could entertain themselves for enough time for me to go to the bathroom. Pippi was a very good baby. I knew if she cried all I had to do was change her diaper or put her to bed.
I didn't get to watch her every second of the day like I did Stacy, so I was thrilled with every milestone. Her babyhood flew by.

Pippi has travelled quite a bit in her years, and she's a pro. As you can see from this picture, Stacy did not like to travel, by stroller, plane, or car. Pippi, as a baby, was cool with travelling as long as she had her thumb to suck. Now she's cool with travelling as long as she has a movie to watch, a rug to crochet, a book to read, or a window to look through.In Japan, the people loved Pippi. They could understand her toddler English very well.
One time a local artist at the library saw Pippi in her striped tights, skirt, and princess crown (The princess crown was a key accessory for most of Pippi's fifth year.) and exclaimed, "I'd like to paint your daughter." One might wonder why, but I know. Pippi with every breath is a child. People who love imagination and curiosity love to be around her.

Pippi is an animal lover through and through. Here are a few of my favorite animal-loving pictures.
This year Pippi has grown so much. She consistently brushes her teeth without being told. She has to be reminded to clean her room, but can do so quickly and thoroughly when told. She's a great example to Bardo and Boo and tries very hard to be patient.




She's an insightful, thorough reader. She likes to look pretty but doesn't obsess about it. She can make almost anyone her friend. She is smart and a fun writer. She's interested in computers but has a lot of self-control and doesn't waste her time (like her mother) on the computer. She loves playing the piano and is interested in composing music. She adores her parents and we really hope she keeps that up. She adores Harry Potter, and identifies most with the character, Ginny Weasley. She rides her bike to school almost every day, and is very interested in eating healthy foods. She can prepare some of her own meals, and she feels good when she helps out around the house. We love this girl.

9 comments:

Unknown said...

I love that girl too! I enjoy talking to her and she seems to be very patient with her siblings.

Amberly said...

I love her too! Happy Birthday, Pippi... if only every child was able to exercise their imagination like you, the world would be a much happier, and less uptight, place.

Jess said...

I cannot believe she is 9! Happy birthday, dear Pippi!

MT Missy said...

Happy Birthday Pippi! I LOVE YOU MORE THAN words can say!

Prudence said...

Happy Birthday to pippi! Thanks for the great pics, some that I have never seen! Fun!

Anonymous said...

What a great insight into who your daughter is! I love reading about her. I can't believe how big she is!

Erin said...

Oh, how I wish we lived close to each other. Your Pippi reminds me SO much of my Offspring! I know they would be such fun friends. (Only Offspring identifies more with Hermione Granger)

Happy Birthday to your darling girl!!!

Alicia said...

I think my two favorite pictures are the upside down cat and the lizard on her shoulder. :)

She has a wonderful smile!

Unknown said...

She has a unique perspective on the world. I am glas she is herself.