Nothing like a weekend blog to surprise your web friends come Monday morning! I had a minute while Pete puts Leah down for a nap, so I thought I would grab the moment and share this sweet photo with you. While apple picking last weekend, Leah really enjoyed the hayride portion of our journey. On the other hand, I thought I might go into labor! That hayride sure was bumpy! But my worries were diminished by Leah's excitement. Like most toddlers, LeLe is a sponge and it's thrilling to watch her take everything in. It's like she's learning through all 100% of her waking hours AND having fun at the same time!
We had an interesting Friday yesterday, and this time it was Mommy's turn to learn a little something. Yes people, a 21 month old can have too much genoa salami and too many crackers. Here I thought I was being zen and going with the flow, when Leah asked for salami, cheese and crackers for both lunch and dinner Thursday. As toddlers go, Leah is a great eater. I mean...how many 1 year olds are out there requesting salami, black beans, or peas? She likes most everything we put in front of her, but as with most kids she can get finicky about what she eats and the quantity from time to time.
She hadn't been eating well Wed. or Thurs., so I was just happy to get some food in her, even if it was only salami and crackers. Well all that fat and sodium proved too much for her system I guess, and the poor kid got pretty sick. I won't regale you with the nauseating (literally!) details. Leah may know best when it comes to how her tummy feels (that's probably why she was fussy and refusing to eat in the first place), but I now realize that too much of anything is not a good idea...especially when that thing is salami! From now on I'll try to be Zen and sensible at the same time.
Saturday, September 30, 2006
Wednesday, September 27, 2006
Party Girl
Wednesdays, especially MOPS Wednesdays, are great for blogging. Leah gets tuckered out from playing and usually takes a decent nap allowing me to write. I'm tired myself today though and probably need a nap too so I'll be brief. As I mentioned in the previous post LeLe had a great time at Clare's party. In this shot Leah enjoys her cream cheese and jelly sandwich which was thoughtfully cut into the shape of a bear by Auntie K. Clare's nickname is Clare Bear and that was reflected in the entire styling of the event (go Kathleen!!!). The kids brought their bears to play with, there were bear sandwiches, and of course a special little bear cake just for the birthday girl. Leah surprised me by getting into the spirit of things and wearing her party hat! Leah does not like to wear head and hair related accessories, but the paper party hat was a big hit! I had to laugh. Enjoy the day everyone!
Monday, September 25, 2006
Partyin' and Pickin'
We had a great time this weekend at Clare Bear's first birthday party. It was non-stop action, but fun, fun, fun! Leah played hard, ate a ton, and slept like a champ for the most part. I'd say the big exception to that last claim was the final hour of our ride home, when she mashed a fruit snack in her hair and pretty much yelled for her Grandmas until we pulled in the driveway. Pete got the fruitsnack out with some olive oil and a hairwashing, which was good thinking, although Leah could've used an additional lather, rinse and repeat cycle. She's quite the little greaseball today...
More on Clare's party in the next week. I've got some great shots. Most involve the girls getting their play on or Leah shoveling sandwiches and cupcakes into her face. While visiting we also managed to sneak in a trip to a local apple farm down the street from of Grammy and Pa's house. Leah enjoyed her first hayride, had a blast running through the orchard, and loved biting into all the random apples she found lying around. The warm but rainy weather didn't seem to get her down for a minute. As for me...it's good to be back home. I am ready to hunker down, nest and prepare for Kid X. There is lots of work to be done, but nothing soooo important that I can't make some time to bake an apple crumble or eat some apple pie. Besides...isn't that part of what this whole nesting thing is all about?
More on Clare's party in the next week. I've got some great shots. Most involve the girls getting their play on or Leah shoveling sandwiches and cupcakes into her face. While visiting we also managed to sneak in a trip to a local apple farm down the street from of Grammy and Pa's house. Leah enjoyed her first hayride, had a blast running through the orchard, and loved biting into all the random apples she found lying around. The warm but rainy weather didn't seem to get her down for a minute. As for me...it's good to be back home. I am ready to hunker down, nest and prepare for Kid X. There is lots of work to be done, but nothing soooo important that I can't make some time to bake an apple crumble or eat some apple pie. Besides...isn't that part of what this whole nesting thing is all about?
Thursday, September 21, 2006
The Park
My daughter loves the park. Yet another facet of her personality that is different from mine. Don't get me wrong, I like the park too...just not the way Leah does. Climbing EVERYTHING in sight, trying new death-defying tricks (and I do mean death-defying!!!) at every turn, running, shouting, exploring, loving, being....that's Leah at the park. It's hard for a nearly 9 month pregnant woman to get that energized about even the most outrageously thriling aspects of life.
I like Lincoln Park in Chicago. Me, alone on a blanket, with a book to read or watercolors to paint with. I would listen to my favorite music (No "Dora" or "Pooh and the Heffalumps Too" CDs here!!!), with an expanse of blue sky and Lake Michigan sprawled before me and the towering comfort of buildings and skyscrapers crowded behind me. Sure...those days are gone and probably for the better. It did get to be a little lonely at times (a problem I am rarely faced with now!), but I do enjoy taking a trip down memory lane every once in a while.
Someday maybe I'll share some of my favorite parks with Leah. I took Pete to Davenport Park in New Rochelle once. A windy sheet of grass on the Long Island Sound where my Dad used to take us to fly kites. There's Hudson Park, now Clare's local hang out, where I had MANY a picnic or play date as a kid. Of course there is the urban oasis of Bryant Park in NYC...host to fashion week and sprinkled with chairs where you can eat your lunch on a nice day. I visited Waterplace Park and Riverwalk nearly every week when I worked in Providence, RI. I would love to take Leah and her soon-to-be sibling to WaterFIre someday, an almost weekly event during the summer and early fall, where the river is lit with beautiful bonfires. I know many of the friends and family who visited Pete and I when we lived in RI remember WaterFire.
For now, it's Pete who is "Park Parent." And I am thankful for that. Leah and Daddy hit the playground as often as possible and it really does seem to be a favorite activity for the two of them. Pete snapped this picture of her on a recent visit. These days a trip to the park for those two means a nap for Mommy. I couldn't ask for a better treat or gift! Someday I will share with Leah all the peaceful park settings that have inspired me and afforded me much relaxation over the years. And I look forward to Leah showing me the best slides, secret hiding spots, and open spaces for running and playing. She is a bundle of joy (literally!!!!). What will the next one be like?
I like Lincoln Park in Chicago. Me, alone on a blanket, with a book to read or watercolors to paint with. I would listen to my favorite music (No "Dora" or "Pooh and the Heffalumps Too" CDs here!!!), with an expanse of blue sky and Lake Michigan sprawled before me and the towering comfort of buildings and skyscrapers crowded behind me. Sure...those days are gone and probably for the better. It did get to be a little lonely at times (a problem I am rarely faced with now!), but I do enjoy taking a trip down memory lane every once in a while.
Someday maybe I'll share some of my favorite parks with Leah. I took Pete to Davenport Park in New Rochelle once. A windy sheet of grass on the Long Island Sound where my Dad used to take us to fly kites. There's Hudson Park, now Clare's local hang out, where I had MANY a picnic or play date as a kid. Of course there is the urban oasis of Bryant Park in NYC...host to fashion week and sprinkled with chairs where you can eat your lunch on a nice day. I visited Waterplace Park and Riverwalk nearly every week when I worked in Providence, RI. I would love to take Leah and her soon-to-be sibling to WaterFIre someday, an almost weekly event during the summer and early fall, where the river is lit with beautiful bonfires. I know many of the friends and family who visited Pete and I when we lived in RI remember WaterFire.
For now, it's Pete who is "Park Parent." And I am thankful for that. Leah and Daddy hit the playground as often as possible and it really does seem to be a favorite activity for the two of them. Pete snapped this picture of her on a recent visit. These days a trip to the park for those two means a nap for Mommy. I couldn't ask for a better treat or gift! Someday I will share with Leah all the peaceful park settings that have inspired me and afforded me much relaxation over the years. And I look forward to Leah showing me the best slides, secret hiding spots, and open spaces for running and playing. She is a bundle of joy (literally!!!!). What will the next one be like?
Wednesday, September 13, 2006
Mergirls and MOPS days
Today is rainy! rainy! rainy! And while it's a bit colder here than it was on the Jersey shore it is giving me little flashbacks to our vacation. This shot is one flashback I don't mind having though. Leah looks a little serious, but don't let her fool you...these two ladies had a lot of fun at the playground. I'd bet that their parents even had a little fun too. Leah kept chanting "ice cream! ice cream!" all the way to the park that day...so after playing hard we hit town for some frozen custard. Mmmm.....
Today was our first day of the new MOPS season. I had a blast seeing friends and relaxing without Leah for a bit and Leah had a blast it seems in the one year old room. She barely noticed me as I walked out to head to the meeting (gotta love that!), she was too busy exploring all the new toys. On the other hand she threw a fit when it was time to go home. What can I say...the girl is a SOCIAL BUTTERFLY! She expresses more separation anxiety here at home when I leave our living room to go two feet away to the kitchen. I suppose she just doesn't "Vant to be alone!" Greta Garbo she is not. Have a great day everyone.
Today was our first day of the new MOPS season. I had a blast seeing friends and relaxing without Leah for a bit and Leah had a blast it seems in the one year old room. She barely noticed me as I walked out to head to the meeting (gotta love that!), she was too busy exploring all the new toys. On the other hand she threw a fit when it was time to go home. What can I say...the girl is a SOCIAL BUTTERFLY! She expresses more separation anxiety here at home when I leave our living room to go two feet away to the kitchen. I suppose she just doesn't "Vant to be alone!" Greta Garbo she is not. Have a great day everyone.
Tuesday, September 12, 2006
Good to be home!
Well, life here at home seems to be settling back into the old routine. It's nice! Fran's usual Tuesday visit was much welcomed by Leah this morning and the two quickly headed to the park. I had an appt. and a billion errands to run (MUCH easier to do sans toddler!!), but I got the rundown from Fran...they fed cheerios to the fish at the park, there was much sliding on Leah's part (her favorite playground apparatus), Leah ate a ton for lunch, and went down for her nap like a charm! I know I've said it before, but Fran can clean my house in a way that I am just not capapble of (especially 8 months pregnant!)...so I was awfully glad to see her today as well. We traded our recent funny Leah stories when I got home. That girl loves to crack both Fran and I up, but I still love hearing all about the little things she does or says when I'm not around. Just look at this picture of her in a little newspaper hat my Mom made for her when we were away...isn't she getting so big??? I'm getting big as well (or at least my belly is!), so I'm tying up loose ends with work and then plan to nest and get ready for baby during the month of October. I can't wait!
Wednesday, September 06, 2006
Life's a Beach!
Another shot of my precious niece and daughter. They were both so sweet playing in the sand. This picture brings a much needed smile to my day. In addition to being achy, crippled and exhausted by this pregnancy (and wrangling Leah all day long), I finally got the comment my sister got while she was pregnant "I hope you're not going to have the baby here!!!" Yeah...I hope not either since I've still got 6-7 weeks to go! I'll spare you another tirade and instead just let you enjoy this photo. I love how hard at work Leah looks, poised and ready with her spade, hair blowing in the salty, sea air. Clare loved that little rake she's holding and had a great time exploring the sand as well. There's nothing like a picture of two little cuties to pick you up when you're feeling über prego and cranky. I can enjoy their beauty while also enjoying the silence of Leah's naptime! Aaahhhh...calgon, take me away!
Tuesday, September 05, 2006
Vacation
Well...I'm not sure who invited Ernesto on our delightful beach vacation, but next time he's going to have to sit it out. That goes for any other tropical storms or hurricanes as well. Most of you know Pete and I had a bit of a rainy honeymoon in the British Virgin Islands. Of course the locals kept saying "It NEVER rains like this here???" The locals on the Jersy Shore kept saying "it was beautiful last week!" I'm not sure, but I think that sort of attempt at conforting just makes visitors feel worse.
Anyway, we had a great time, despite the weather. It was good to spend time with family. Leah learned about 50 gazillion new words and loved every minute she got to spend with Clare. Here's a shot of the girls reading about the beach with Grammy. If you can't be there you might as well read about it right? We made a few attempts but it was never really "beach weather"...still, we tried! I also finally played the tables in Atlantic City and that was fun. Our proximity to AC was great, as it allowed us to get out and drown our sorrows with a little gambling and free drinks (mine were all gingerale of course!!).
Well I've got many more pictures to post so check back soon. We're sad that vacation and summer is over, but it's great to be back home and sleeping in our own beds!!! Besides, we have a TON to do to prepare for the new baby!
Anyway, we had a great time, despite the weather. It was good to spend time with family. Leah learned about 50 gazillion new words and loved every minute she got to spend with Clare. Here's a shot of the girls reading about the beach with Grammy. If you can't be there you might as well read about it right? We made a few attempts but it was never really "beach weather"...still, we tried! I also finally played the tables in Atlantic City and that was fun. Our proximity to AC was great, as it allowed us to get out and drown our sorrows with a little gambling and free drinks (mine were all gingerale of course!!).
Well I've got many more pictures to post so check back soon. We're sad that vacation and summer is over, but it's great to be back home and sleeping in our own beds!!! Besides, we have a TON to do to prepare for the new baby!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)