Diary

The 2009 Vivid Baby Diaries

By: Miles Baran-Candrea, Stephanie Maia Bloom, Zacharias Mark Phillips and Anastasia Melnic

The Baby Diaries, a festive Vivid tradition, seeks the views of some of our younger readers

Posted: 04/12/2009

Miles Baran-Candrea

Before coming face to face with this world, I was given the opportunity to prospect its potential. Comfortably sheltered in my mom's belly, I travelled throughout Romania (Maramures, Bucovina), then in Europe (Rome, London, Amsterdam, Paris), followed by the US, my other country (Dad's native Huntington Beach, followed by San Francisco, and New York) and, believe it or not, I even made it to South America, where I hiked Machu Picchu, attended a tango lesson in Buenos Aires, and lay in the sun of Montevideo.

I was born on 27th May, and ever since people have been trying to figure out whom I look like - some say Dad (including Mama), some say Mommy (including Daddy), then there's any imaginable option. I think I look like me, and there's unanimous consensus when I say I'm pretty darn cute.

I like music and dancing - from my first day home my Dad made sure I get properly educated in that field, so he played the music and danced me to it on a regular basis. Mommy introduced me to words and sounds (guess what school she went to) and the wonderful world of toys. And I forgot to mention that both my parents supported me in becoming a real social butterfly - I received visits beginning the day I was born, and I keep entertaining friends on an almost daily basis - be it in the park, at our house, in non-smoking restaurants or by the swimming pool.

Now I'm struggling to crawl and I'm impatiently waiting for my first teeth, which is a tough job, but I'm sure I'll manage. I can speak in my own language and laugh out loud. I like carrot soup, apple sauce with a touch of cereal, and obviously my milk cocktails - shaken, not stirred.

If I were to answer the Vivid questionnaire, I'd have to tell you life is what you make of it (currently it's one big challenge); I have so many nicknames I'd need half the magazine to document them all; my earliest memory would have to be meeting my parents; the last good book I was read from was The Little Prince (again, Mom and her French connection!); I don't bungee jump but I do love my baby bouncer; I spent my most recent holiday in Zakynthos, Greece; my greatest sporting achievement to date is outgrowing the growth charts; and lastly I really need a better passport photo.

Stephanie Maia Bloom

Wow! Two months already. What a way to see the world. I wasn't expecting this. I thought I would find a simple watery existence but when I cried my first time I realised I was in for an experience. I love my parents. They are kind and attentive. For some reason they are there all the time. I don't even have a chance to cry. Whenever I raise my vocals Mom is there. Of course, I've learned to take advantage big time. I cry and Mom is ready to feed me. I cry some more and Dad is there to take me in his arms and let me burp till I've completed the cycle. My big sister Suzi is always making noises to bother me. When she comes home from kindergarten she wakes me up with clapping and songs. I wish she would stop. She must think I'm some sort of toy. I can't wait to grow bigger so I can handle her in my way. They told me about siblings when I was in the womb. Everyone thinks we don't learn but trust me, there is so much going on you would be amazed. I had to attend these preparatory classes eight hours a day explaining what to expect when the big day comes. Everything I learned is coming true except for the part of going out in the cold winter air. I don't like it. I want warm weather with a swimming pool. When Mom bathes me I feel comfortable. I want more and more baths. Well, that's all for now. Come see me again in a year. I will have more to tell.

Zacharias Mark Phillips

Contemplating whether I should come early or come late, I knew that either way I just had to give my parents a surprise - after all they are good at improvising in tricky situations. All the way back to when I first grew my ears I could hear them and Mum's doctor placing bets on dates I would arrive. My estimated due date was 16th November but I knew Mum and Dad couldn't wait that long to meet me, and since the doctor was guessing 6th November, I thought I'd give him a surprise too and pop out on 30th October 2009.

So the day arrived. Should I or shouldn't I pop out today, I thought? Yeah, mum was still working that morning - she'd even gotten up early to finish a report before going for her routine checkup. How silly of my parents to go to the hospital without THE bag for the hospital!

I had in fact enjoyed my time ‘on the inside', getting lots of yummy food, back massages, and even a few tickles every time I poked my foot or knee against that soft wall around me. I particularly liked being bounced around whilst Mum insisted on maintaining her fitness the whole way through and all the exercise gave me strong kicking legs so that I could come out and then explore the world for myself.

So out I popped, as quickly as I possibly could to meet my shocked parents who were really happy to meet me. Talk about being smitten with love and affection, they haven't stopped kissing me all over and I'm already two weeks old. Taking turns at changing me (I'm guessing this novelty will soon wear off) they don't want to miss a minute of my awake time, and even then they still spend lots of time staring at me when I'm asleep. Dad has been taking care of the important things and gotten me my own gmail account! Let's see if gmail is still ticking by the time I really need that.

I've had so many visitors come and see me, and Mum and Dad are trying to keep track of them all and take photos of them. I get to be held by everyone, and that's kind of fun as I learn how different people look, smell and comfort me. Seems like my parents have lots of special friends and they are so proud of me when I can sleep soundly in each one of the visitors' arms.

Speaking of sleep, it's time for my next nap, or maybe I'll have a feed instead. Life is good right now - eat, sleep and poop without a care in the world!

Cheers,

Zach.

Anastasia Melnic

I'll probably be an actress when I'm older, because drama seems to follow me wherever I go. Very soon after I was born my Dad had to go all the way to Bulgaria to find an important vaccine my mum had to take. I'm only three months into it but so far life is pretty good. What can be better than to be asked to make my literary debut in my favourite magazine? My mother and I have been living in Craiova, far from the madding crowds of Bucharest. I can't say I miss it too much, with all that traffic and shouting. And Grandma has been a huge help, cooking and cleaning, and just generally looking after me and my Mum. My Dad works in Bucharest; I don't know exactly what he does, but he's pretty important. And he lives with two cats. He's from Moldova, from Orhei, 45km north of Chisinau. I haven't been there yet, but I'm looking forward to visiting, maybe next Easter, and to meeting my Moldovan grandparents, particularly my Moldovan grandmother, whose name is also Anastasia Melnic - and so is one of my Dad's cats! But before Easter of course there's Christmas, and I really hope Mos Craciun (eng: Father Christmas, Santa Claus) visits. He should I think, because I've been a good girl, generally speaking, since I arrived. Christmas will be great fun for us, and I hope it will be for all Vivid's readers too!

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