In our family, here’s what the typical dream sequence looks like: It’s my very first New Year’s Eve and a balmy 70 degrees in New York City. Mommy decides to break all the rules and keep me up until midnight. At 11pm we effortlessly hail a cab to Times Square, flying through the traffic-free city streets. We arrive at the square and gasp at the boisterous crowds, but a nice policeman who has a soft spot for babies pushes us to the very front. I rub noses with Ryan Seacrest, countdown with everyone while watching the magical crystal ball drop, and ring in 2013 in style. Happy New Year, everyone!
And here’s the reality: It’s only 3pm but Mommy says it’s time to go celebrate New Year’s Eve. I don’t really understand why this night is so special, but I’m excited to hit the town. Mommy says it’s the last day of 2012—the most special year since I was born in it. And we’re getting dressed to the nines tonight. I am not even one yet so I’m not so sure how I can dress like nine, but I’m rolling with it.
Like a living doll, I wear my winter white dress with balls of snow scattered down the skirt and pretty tights with gold embellished Mary Janes. If I do say so myself, I look like quite the snow princess. As a finishing touch, Mommy puts on my purple fur coat (faux of course!) since it’s a mind-numbing 30 degrees. Here I go! Ready to be the belle of the ball.
I start giggling because I see Daddy take out the Baby Bjorn. Not exactly a limousine, but I’ll make it a stylish ride anyway. Naturally, everyone smiles and says how gorgeous I am as we walk up the street. My eyes glimmer back as I charm them with my flashy four-tooth smile. Let the party begin!
We enter the restaurant and there are balloons everywhere, covering the entire ceiling with strings hanging almost low enough for me to reach. I work very hard to grab them and get so excited that I pee my pants. Please don’t tell anyone? All the cool babies pee their pants anyhow. Feeling lighter and brighter, I’m able to grab myself a bright balloon. Score!
The balloon and I are now inseparable. Next, we arrive at the table and get seated. I take the most special throne perched at the top of the table called the high chair (for her royal highness of course), and I play with my balloon like it’s 1999. I bounce it around, eat the string, and even cuddle with it. Soon, I’m given a special drink with an extra cool flex straw. Mommy already gave me my sippy cup, so now I am double fisting—yea! I drink like a fish but try to pace myself for the long night ahead.
As I look around I notice the other kids wearing hats and tiaras. I reach out to grab the hat off the kiddo next to me. Score! But he starts crying (what a crybaby) and Mommy takes it away from me. So I start crying, too. Before I know it, a grown-up wearing a light up hat (it looks ridiculous on her) gives me two hats to wear. Now this party is getting started.
After digging into a Daddy-sized bowl of pasta, I notice two other big girls dancing and twirling up a storm, so I bounce along with them and everyone starts dancing and smiling like it’s their job. I wish I could dance and twirl like that. That will be one of my New Year’s resolutions!
Pondering my resolutions, I didn’t even see my favorite boyfriend walk in. There he is, looking super handsome in his shirt and bowtie. He waves hello and I smile bashfully in return. Our mommies start chatting and he tries to sneak me a kiss but Daddy sees. Oh goodness. How embarrassing! He had his mouth open so big. Or did he just want some of my pasta? To take away from the attention I start bouncing my balloon and throwing pasta noodles with abandon. This usually does the trick. Everyone looks at me and luckily, they laugh and say what a fun, happy baby I am.
Just as everyone is enjoying my Oscar-worthy performance, another grown-up in a silly hat announces that it’s time to count down to the New Year. I’m just a baby, but even I can tell it’s nowhere close to midnight. I go along with it since everyone else is counting along, but he has it all wrong…the crowd is counting backwards! I don’t even have time to correct them all because suddenly confetti flies everywhere, everyone cheers, and kisses are passed around like pacifiers. Through the confetti, I see Mommy and Daddy kiss, too. Gross! I start to gag but they come at me for a smooch, one on each cheek, and it tickles so I giggle.
Before I know it we’re heading out the door. I wave goodbye to all my new friends better than Miss America on a parade float. Daddy pimps my ride by tying the balloon to the Baby Bjorn and we’re home faster than the ball drops.
What a night of excitement like never before,
With dancing, balloons, and so much more!
And to tell you the truth, I can already tell,
2013 is the year of Baby Elle Belle!
Happy New Year!
Elle Belle is a beautiful baby girl who lives in the Upper East Side of Manhattan with her magnificent mommy, dapper dad, and her five-year-old four-legged brother (who’s adopted). She enjoys reading The Very Hungry Caterpillar, trying new foods, doing yoga, taking walks in Central Park, putting things in her mouth, and cruising around NYC in her stroller while making everyone smile wherever she goes. She can be reached LilElleBelle@gmail.com and found on tugsonmyheartstrings.blogspot.com
