Baby Stella Mai Carol is 3 months old now and happier every day. I'm amazed at how quickly she grows, how fast she's learning to mimic and hold her head up, but most of all, I'm amazed every day at the fact that she's my daughter. I feel like there should be rules that come with being this lucky, rules I can follow as she and I go through life together (with Matt, of course), and when she's older I can look back and see how well I did at following the rules, or if its true what they say and sometimes, rules need to be broken...(cliche, I know)
So, here are some rules to being Stella's mom:
1. Make sure she laughs, often and with her whole heart. Teach her how to do that by example.
2. Let her know that making her bed will never be as important (although it will be somewhat important) as being kind and generous and respectful of anyone and everyone.
3. As her mom, I must teach her that its okay to make up silly songs and dance silly dances.
4. As her mom, I must show her, by example, what a strong woman is and how to love herself and the people around her. If she can learn to love herself, she will have accomplished something few people ever do, and she'll be much the better for it.
5. Its important to make sure Stella knows where she came from and who she is, and why she has 2 middle names. Its important she knows we take our family with us, everywhere we go, and we love them always.
6. Its a RULE that Stella be taught about Dr. Seuss, the Berenstein Bears, the Runaway Bunny, and all the Trouble for Trumpets. A love of reading and books can turn into a love of learning, and that is one of the best rules ever to follow.
7. As her mom, I must show her how relationships work. This is tied into rule #4, and is very important. As a strong woman, she must be taught and understand the value of never underestimating yourself for the sake of another in a relationship. As much as she should be taught to respect others, she should be taught to never settle for less than respect for others as well, especially when looking for a partner in life.
8. As a rule, I have to show Stella the country, the world, as much as I can show her as humanly possible. I must teach her its okay to branch out and see everything you can see, that you only live once and you'll be all the smarter for exploring it all while you can.
9. I must teach Stella the words to Rocky Top. This first requires me to remember the words, but as silly as it sounds, its part of her parents life together, how they met, where they decided to venture down the road to parenthood and its a memory I want her to have.
10. I want to, above all else, teach Stella that she is loved by her father and me for exactly who she is, what she is, and who she will become. She has freedom and independence and all the love a person could ever have in this world and that will never be taken away, by us or anyone else. I will teach her she is beautiful and brilliant and as perfect today, tomorrow, 18 years from now, as she was when she came into our lives.
