Weekend Kat Blogging: Kat’s First Flower

These photographs were taken in the last week of March, when we had a week of beautiful sunny days and warm temperatures. The daffodils and hyacinths were blooming, the grass was greening and the trees were bursting forth with tiny new leaves.

A few days later, we had nearly two solid weeks of rain, freezing rain, snow and cold temperatures which had us all running back to the sweaters and boots.

But, for that brief, sunshining moment, Kat had her first experience with a real, live flower, which you can see with your own eyes. That photo was taken on the campus of Ohio University, where we carried Kat so she could have her first experience touching flowers and playing in the grass.

Not that we lack for grass and flowers in our yard; however, our property is all situated on a more than 45 degree slope which is truly not baby-safe. Not until we undertake the huge job of terracing it so it can be turned into a garden and play area.

I have read in several places that in Indonesia and other parts of southeast Asia, babies undergo a ceremony at around the age of 6 months, when they are first allowed to touch the earth. Before that, they are carried in slings and arms everywhere, and they sit on laps and blankets and mats, peering at the world from the comfort and safety of Mother’s presence. (Or Grandmother’s or Big Sister’s or Auntie’s or Daddy’s—etc.)

We didn’t really make a formal ritual of it, but I like the concept of introducing a baby to the sacredness of the Earth, who is mother to us all, in a special fashion.

What did Kat think of the grass?

She liked it. Her little toes wriggled into it, and she immediately picked up a stick and tried to eat it. (Typical kid–they love sticks. I had a collection of them wherever I went as a kid. Sticks and rocks. And toads.) She petted the flowers, and looked at everything and everyone on campus with wide, alert eyes, drinking deeply of every experience.

That picture was only taken about three weeks ago, but she has already outgrown that overall. She wore it all winter, with long sleeved shirts under it, but now it is way too small, and both Zak and I are sad to see it go. But that is the way of babies–they grow so fast, like flowers, like grass. All of life is that way. So fast, so precious.

I feel so blessed to watch Kat grow, and experience the world anew through her eyes. With her, everything is exciting, because it is always the first time, novel, always changing.

Today, at the Farmer’s Market, she was fascinated with the banjo player, and looked intently and with fascination at everything, especially at Becky’s booth, Green Edge Gardens. Becky is our CSA farmer, and she was amazed at how carefully Kat examined all of the vegetables, and the faces of everyone who surrounded her.

That is just how Kat is–she is alert and notices everything–and I find myself thrilled to observe her every change and experience.

Every time she eats dinner or goes to breakfast with us, there is a first.

At Casa today, we were feeding her guacamole, to the continued delight of the servers. Kat is sort of their pet. She gets picked up and carried around, taken on tours of the kitchen and the restaurant, and is introduced to everyone who wants to say hello.

Today, she flirted with another little girl–she was a little over a year or so old, it seemed–at the next table over.

And across the aisle, a table of three college students sat down. We had just been given Kat’s guacamole, so Zak had just started shoveling the first spoonful of it in her mouth. One of the young men at the table laughed, and watched with a big smile on his face, then said, “Now -that- is real baby food.” They all watched Kat eat with glee, giggling and gobbling, and they smiled at us. I caught her flirting with them, too, over the course of our meals.

It is so good to see her grow, and learn and take such obvious joy in the pleasures of life.

This Earth Day, which is tomorrow, we will celebrate by letting Kat help us pick out flowers for our porch boxes.

I cannot wait to see what she thinks of all the colors, textures and shapes of the different plants.

4 Comments »

RSS feed for comments on this post. TrackBack URI

1. I am so pleased that you share your adventures with your little girl with us. She really is a treasure, bringing joy to all around her.

   Comment by Nancy — April 21, 2007 #

2. It was such a pleasure to see you all again and meet Kat last week. Watching her take in the world with an innocent wonder was a humbling experience. We can all learn from children to appreciate everything that our world has to offer the senses.

   Comment by artcargirl — April 21, 2007 #

3. Nancy–I am continually amazed at how joyful babies are. Now that I have Kat, I watch other babies and Moms, too. And it is so wonderful to see all of them looking on the world with fresh eyes and open smiles.

   I swear it makes me young again.

   Artcargirl–it was great to see you, too! Thank you for coming to visit.

   Kat humbles me a lot. I like to watch how intently she examines the details of the world and takes it all in, very deliberately and carefully. (Zak just said tonight that in that way, she reminds him of his grandfather, Sol–and I think he is right. I think that there is definitely some of his personality in her.)

   Comment by Barbara — April 22, 2007 #

4. Oh my, thank you Barbara for sharing Kat’s wonderment. I get my child fixes through other’s children, so I am especially grateful! And I remember those few days of spring before the ice hit! (I’m in Columbus) It seems like spring is finally here to stay. Take care!

   Comment by Sharon — April 23, 2007 #

Leave a comment

Name (required)

Mail (will not be published) (required)

Website

XHTML: <a href="" title=""> <abbr title=""> <acronym title=""> <b> <blockquote cite=""> <code> <em> <i> <strike> <strong>