Year-End Interview with Mia

Mia has strong views about things. As Nanny Sarah said after about one day on the job, "She knows what she likes, doesn't she!" Mia doesn't talk much yet. Mama, Dada, ball (pronounced "bahhhh"), and she occasionally surprises us by saying hi or bye to a store clerk or some other total stranger. For now, Jeff and I have fun theorizing what she'd say if she could talk. Below is our imaginary interview.

What is your favorite memory of your trip to Minnesota?
The people. Everyone was so nice to me. Everywhere I went, I was treated like a celebrity!

What didn’t you like?
That awful high chair someone borrowed from their church. I appreciate the effort, but the seat was slippery and it had no seat belt. Grandpa N. had to strap me in using an old leather belt (very clever, I thought!), but I still kept sliding down in my seat.
I also hated sitting in the car seat in my winter jacket. It was really hot and too confining. It was a lot better when you warmed up the car before I got in, so I didn’t need to wear a coat. That is how real Minnesotans do it.
One last thing. All those airport delays. I don't know how my Mom and Dad put up with it, with all the traveling they do.

What was your favorite Christmas gift?
They were all great. My relatives put a lot of thought into my gifts. I got so much stuff that my Mom says we’ll wait a few weeks before taking some things out of the box. “Save them for an emergency,” she says. (I'm not quite sure what she means by that, but I'm going along with it.) I can tell you that I love the slide from my Grandma and Grandpa S., and the Rockin’ Puppy from Uncle Scott and Aunt Mary. It took me a while to warm up to Tickle Me Elmo, but now we’re friends. The basketball hoop Daddy got for me is cool. I cherish the time we spend together shooting baskets. The toy I’ve played with the most is the Little Mermaid cell phone that my cousin Ellen picked out for me. I already had 3 cell phones, but they were really lame compared to this one. It fits in my hand just perfectly. Besides that, it is shiny, it lights up when it rings, and it has great ring-tones. I use it constantly.

Did it bother you when your Grandpa N. talked about you "putting the feedbag on"?
No, I could tell he was just happy I have such a good appetite. And you have to admit that new rubber bib does look like a big pink feedbag.

While we're talking about food, can I ask why you like green beans so much?
I wish I could tell you. I guess because they taste good and they’re the perfect size to pick up.

What is your favorite fruit?
If you’d asked me a week ago, I would have said pineapple, but then Grandma N. gave me mandarin oranges. I love them, and not just because of the name! I love mandarin oranges so much that when I’m not eating them I pretend with the plastic orange in my toy food collection.

Have you made any New Year’s Resolutions?
I intend to walk and talk more. I’m also determined to learn how to hold a crayon properly. And I am going to make some friends my own age.