The above photo was taken this morning at Farmers Market in Los Angeles. Located at Third and Fairfax, I’ve been going to the 75-year-old institution almost daily since I moved to L.A. in the mid-1980s. It’s a fantastic place to write, people watch, and eat all sorts of delicacies. I’ve mentioned the place dozens of time on this blog and, indeed, have written many of these posts from there.
Charlie and I have a ritual of going to Farmers Market early in the morning, letting his night owl mom get a few more hours of uninterrupted sleep. He loves it. I often take photos of our reflection in one of the store windows as a souvenir of our visit. This morning we were there long before most of the shops opened. We enjoyed some coffee and formula in the East Patio, with a little treat from Bob’s, which I once named the best donut place in Los Angeles. I love that a lot of the Farmers Market employees and regulars now recognize Charlie. He never fails to flash everyone in his path a killer smile.
As I’ve mentioned, the place attracts an unusual blend of foreign tourists pouring out of buses, “Price Is Right” hopefuls wearing their oversized nametags from next door’s CBS studios, locals who have been going to Farmers Market for decades, and celebrities. This morning the table next to me and Charlie was soon occupied by director Paul Mazursky and his daily coffee klatch of writers, producers, directors, and actors. Mazursky has been coming to Farmers Market for ages. Today he was regaling actor George Segal and other friends with his review of Roman Polanski’s latest film. A few minutes later, a semi-regular from the TV show “Lost” walked by and pronounced Charlie “absolutely adorable!”
At some point Charlie and I walk through the neighboring outdoor mall called The Grove where we usually come across a group of high-powered only-in-L.A. ladies jogging with their baby strollers. I call them the “Healthy Moms” and often have to dodge them as they charge down the main drag of the Grove at breakneck speed. They all wear expensive designer sweats and wheel their babies in the most exclusive sporty strollers money can by. Today we watched as the ten or so women parked their babies in a line in front of the Victoria’s Secret window. Each of them whipped out a jump rope and one of the women faced the others and led them in a vigorous aerobics class. The babies looked on, glumly. I felt like going back to Bob’s for another donut.
In a few weeks, Charlie will reach another huge milestone. He’ll have been home with us longer than he was at the NICU. Since things have been going so well with him (poo, poo, poo!), it’s almost tempting to pretend as if the traumatic first five months of his life never happened that way. But we don’t pretend, we’re acutely aware of it. I am so incredibly grateful for every second we spend with our happy, healthy, good-natured son. I don’t even have the words to describe what he brings to our lives. When Kendall was pregnant, I secretly dreaded the infant months that loomed ahead—I loved when Leah was an infant so many years ago, but the concept of going through those sleep-deprived months at MY age with a tiny being who is so dependent on you for his very survival didn’t seem appealing to me at all. Couldn’t babies be born at three years old, I wondered? God, was I wrong. What is more fun than a baby? There hasn’t been a single second that Charlie has been home with us that hasn’t been filled with love, gratitude, and fun. Do I sound like a Stepford Dad? I’d probably be puking if I read someone else saying these things, but today I just wanted to express my endless gratitude for Charlie’s miraculous journey from a 1 lb. 4 oz. baby barely clinging on to life to the robust super-baby he is now.
We lost one of our sons ten months ago under horrible circumstances. I’ve been in touch with many parents of babies that were in the NICU before Charlie, during our time there, and some whose babies are struggling there right now. I’ve been reading the blogs of parents whose children are fighting awful diseases, including a little two-year-old girl in Texas who only has a short time left and whose parents have received an outpouring of support on their blog and on Twitter. I feel for Marie Osmond and her ex-husband as well as Star Trek’s Walter Koenig and his wife who lost their sons to suicide last week. I read about people who have lost one or both of their twins and try to reach out if I can. I don’t follow these people out of some morbid curiosity, I do it because I feel like I’m now in some kind of brotherhood of parents who have faced the worst and lived to tell the tale. When Charlie was in bad shape at Cedars, and so many people sent good thoughts or prayers for him, I KNOW that these people helped our son get to where he is today.
Thank you.
What a total sweetheart of a guy. Thanks for the updates!
Posted by: Leightongirl | March 01, 2010 at 03:38 PM
Hah! Bob's is my fave too. Once in awhile, my husband, Larry, stops by the F. Mkt. for coffee and spies the Mazursky table. Is that Illeana Douglas' back on the left side of your photo?
Charlie can now consider himself a "Regular" at the Market. He's in good company!!!
Posted by: Ellen B. | March 01, 2010 at 03:41 PM
I'm weeping, that was so beautiful. Danny, stop making me cry. I can't believe what a big old roly-poly he is.
Posted by: Dave Max Crawford | March 01, 2010 at 03:42 PM
Hmm, is it my imagination, or is he starting to look more like his Mom than like his Dad? (Love that last pic!)
Posted by: Rurality | March 01, 2010 at 04:19 PM
Grief can bind people together because they understand in a way no one else can.
So glad that Charlie continues to thrive.
Posted by: Rivster | March 01, 2010 at 04:42 PM
I love going to Farmers Market whenever I'm in LA, too. And thanks for the charming pictures of Charlie. It is great to see him doing so well after all he's been through. I will never forget your posts from early in his life and how we all sent the positive thoughts your way. It means so much to see Charlie looking so happy and spreading that happiness to others as he becomes a Farmers Market regular. XO to you all!
Posted by: Pam G | March 01, 2010 at 04:45 PM
I remember when my kids were little being up and around hours before any of the stores were open. Thanks so much for keeping me in touch with Charlie and his growing up. I can't wait to see both of you in person.
Posted by: laurie | March 01, 2010 at 05:19 PM
great post danny! charlie looks amazing! keep on keepin on w/ the donut ritual- fabulous! I just have to tell you that one of my all time favorite movies is Paul Mazursky's Next Stop Greenwich Village! I adore it! I hope that you, kendall, leah and charlie will visit us in bellingham in the summer so we can take you to our marvelous farmers market!
Posted by: susie specter | March 01, 2010 at 05:27 PM
Danny, this was so much fun to read. I love the picture you painted of bonding over donuts and formula early in the morning while rubbing elbows with FM staff and regulars, eavesdropping on industry folks, and witnessing the Healthy Mom brigade at the Grove. Charlie looks cuter than ever.
Posted by: Julie R. | March 01, 2010 at 05:47 PM
When a great guy and a terrific writer are one and the same, it's a treat for everyone. Thanks for this.
In fact, when I was visiting LA in the winter, the first place Lisa took me was the Farmer's Market. There I found wonderful vintage postcards, endless food treats, and sat next to some Israeli punks who only stopped their rowdy bragging about various criminal activities when I told them in Hebrew that I understood every word.
Posted by: Sue Katz | March 01, 2010 at 06:10 PM
What a punum! Poo, poo, poo! (You're cute too, Danny).
Love,
Bubbe Marilyn
Posted by: Marilyn Molnar | March 01, 2010 at 08:15 PM
I am so delighted to be able to read of Charlie's good health, your fun together, and your global gratitude and empathy.
Amitiés,
Posted by: The Pliers | March 01, 2010 at 08:23 PM
Hey, Mr. Danny Miller, when are you going to try to hone in on that little Mazursky group and plug *your* writing wares? I'm sure you'd have wonderful creative insights of your own to offer the group. Tell them Pearl insisted you join them for a brew and a shmooze.
Charlie, you are a people magnet, that's for sure!
Posted by: Pearl | March 01, 2010 at 09:03 PM
Danny Dear,
So happy to read of your ritual at the Farmer's Market, a must-stop for me whenever I visit L.A. (Did see Ileana Douglas at the table.) So sorry we missed you on this last trip. But for sure next time. Donuts are on me. Formula you'll have to do on your own. Can't wait to hold your gorgeous baby.
xoxo
Fake Grandma
Posted by: Elaine Soloway | March 02, 2010 at 05:52 AM
Love all your posts but especially this one! There's nothing cuter in the world than sweet Charlie's face. BTW, you're the best dad. Will you adopt me?
Posted by: Danita Cherney | March 02, 2010 at 07:19 AM
Made me cry happy tears. Thank you for sharing.
Posted by: Erica M | March 02, 2010 at 07:51 AM
Charlie looks so chubby cheeked and healthy. You guys are such great parents. I try to count my blessings everyday .
Posted by: churlita | March 02, 2010 at 10:47 AM
Yes, your writing is wonderful, and thank you for it. But please answer the burning question: is Charlie officially a red-head? He's in good company with his big sister..
Posted by: Mary Shannon Baim | March 02, 2010 at 12:23 PM
it's no wonder he's such a happy baby with parents like you! he looks so healthy and happy, please give him a squeeze for me.
Posted by: sally | March 02, 2010 at 05:35 PM
Charlie is such a sweetie. Love the early morning donut ritual but those Healthy Moms sound seriously frightening.
We had a little celebration the day that J was home with us longer than she'd been in the NICU.
I think I know what you mean about that brotherhood. I think I read because I like to feel, well, accompanied? And I like to feel that J is accompanied too? Burbling now! Here's to many more donuts. xo
Posted by: Catherine W | March 03, 2010 at 01:16 PM
Such a sweet tender post Danny...It's so fantastic to see Charlie so Healthy and Happy and filled with the Joy Of Life!
And you and Kendall, too....
Lovely to see a little bit of The Farmer's Market once again. I spent quite a bit of time there over the many years I;ve lived in Los Angeles..And LOVED Every minute and morsel of food, too...lol!
Posted by: OldOldLady Of The Hills | March 03, 2010 at 10:11 PM
Love to read about roly-poly, robust Charlie after all your family has been through. My son lives in LA (two of three kids went to USC, though we live outside Chicago, so I enjoy your comments about Chicago too). I love the Farmer's Market and its proximity to the Grove and CBS - we went to see Craig Ferguson's show there. I just love your blog and hope to see your comments about the Oscars. Your posts about movie stars, LA, TV, and film are wonderful, and beautifully illustrated.
Posted by: Judy Brodhead | March 05, 2010 at 03:30 PM
are crisy cream donuts on the west coast?
Posted by: jeff (not Spencer's dad) | March 06, 2010 at 04:37 AM
I LOVE the Farmers Market; great vibe-stopped in one fine November morning when I was walking to Canters on Fairfax---yes, I said walking...unlike the song-"Walking in LA" I walked from the Peterson Car Museum and The Tar Pits over to Canters....did not get to see the CBS studios...I did go to Kimmel though that night with half a corned beef and chopped liver sandwich and ate it in front of The Kodak Theater before the Kimmel show....found a great new site to check out- www.oldjewstellingjokes.com I sent the link to the blog to Louise so she could keep up with Charlie...he looks and sounds great....take care or each other and especially Charlie...we will be out there in LA before too long...going to SF in March (not So Cal) Say HI to Betsy
Posted by: josh & esther | March 06, 2010 at 05:57 PM
I thought Mazursky bought it in a mob poker game...OH WAIT...that was on The Sopranos
Posted by: josh & esther | March 06, 2010 at 06:00 PM
Despite not knowing you in any real sense of the word, the pleasure of seeing your beautiful boy thrive has been a real one. Thank you for sharing him with us!
Posted by: elizabeth | March 09, 2010 at 12:44 AM
This post is perfect... hilarious and sweet too! Your Charlie is gorgeous and miraculous.
Also, I was laughing so hard during your description of the “Healthy Moms”... yes, only in LA. Ha. I need to get over to the Farmer's Market again soon.
Posted by: Stephanie | March 09, 2010 at 02:16 AM
Glad to see Charlie's just thriving and doing so well and you and your family are enjoying the life you dreamed of those many months ago in NICU.
I'm happy to see your pop culture content returning in full force to your terrific blog AND reading about your adorable son. Two good things together!
Posted by: laura orfanedes | March 15, 2010 at 06:15 PM
I just experienced two extreme emotions while reading this post. I was biting my tongue looking at Charlie's bubblicious cheeks, intrigued by the people you see at Farmers Market, and smiling at the wonderful blessing that is a healthy, happy Charlie.
But then, I clicked on the link at the end of your post. "It's been one week since Layla went to heaven." First sentence of the most recent post. How devastating. I'm so sorry.
Posted by: Chris | March 21, 2010 at 05:40 PM