Wuv Woo

Had to share something that has brightened my last several days:

Lately K has started the cutest thing with his little brother.  He'll come up to Baby K, kiss him on the cheek, and say, "I love you Baby" (which sounds like: "I wuv woo baby").  If you can guess, I completely melt when I witness this and am so grateful that the transition from only child to older brother has gone so smoothly so far.  He truly does love his little brother and this has been evidenced in the little kisses, soft pats, and even the sharing of his favorite toys (though Baby K can't exactly play with them yet).  I'm sure the day will come when this will change, but these simple things make me so happy.  

Christmas Time

Have things been crazy for you the last couple of weeks??  They have for us!  It's been a good kind of busy with the holidays and family visiting, but now that everyone is gone and the shopping is over, I have a little breather.  Ahhhh...  

I'm getting ready to fly out the door and run a day of errands, but wanted to drop a line and say that the pulse of our house is still strong, but we've been a little preoccupied.  I will write more on that later...  We've been making some big decisions here and I'm not ready to write about them yet, but I will be in a few more weeks depending on how things go...

In the meantime, here are a few un-edited pictures from Christmas in our house.  No makeup.  No frills.  Thus, no judging ;-)  Just enjoy the pure unadulterated Christmastime shots.  

 Did I mention that K does NOT like Santa??  

"Mommy!  Save me from the big, hairy, red man!!"

 So we all had to sit on Santa's lap for a good shot.  

 Making Christmas cookies.  One of several, several dozen!  K LOVES them!  

 First shot Christmas morning.  Like I said, no judging!  You're lucky I'm even posting one of me in the morning!! 

 I had to include this one too because I love K's expression.  

 The opening begins...

 A fix-it car!

 A car garage!  

 A basketball hoop!  

Tired Mommy and Daddy.  I love how K's foot is a blur here.  He has so much energy!  He honestly never stops until we put him to bed!

Hope you had a wonderful Christmas too!! When I have a few minutes, hopefully I can catch up on the blogs I love to follow.  It's been a while!  Oh, and by the way, 30 weeks tomorrow!!  Yes, another belly update is in order.  But honestly, where does the time go?? With K it seemed like I was pregnant forever.  This time around I keep asking myself, "Am I really that far along already???"  We still have a lot to do on the nursery, buying necessary things, and finalizing the name (which seems to change from month to month).  Wish us luck since I only have 10 weeks and 8 1/2 if he comes on K's schedule...

Brief Glimpses Into My Everyday Life

A simple re-cap of my last very ordinary 24 hours.  

• Woke late thanks to my awesome husband who took K and let me sleep in a little extra.  This made me late to playgroup.  Oh well.  I think an extra hour of sleep was definitely worth it! 
• Met Kai for a lunch date which consisted of black bean burgers, fruit and veggies, chips, and yogurt.
• Went to the post office to get our weekend’s worth of accumulated mail and chatted with the friendly post office workers that I see weekly.  They think I’ve now suddenly “popped”.  Lovely.  I still have 3 months. I’m blaming it on those darn Christmas cookies that I have been craving the baby loves! 
• Opened beautiful Christmas cards from great friends and it made me miss them all the more!
• Opened Kai’s loan repayment notices that start next month.  He’s worth a lot to someone else besides just me now!  Ugh!
• Headed out the door to the next playgroup.  K grabbed a granola bar from the pantry and I thought he’d be fine playing with it in the car.  Halfway there, I noticed it was a little too quiet and checked on him only to find that he had smashed, mashed, smooshed, and utterly destroyed the granola bar thus breaking open the wrapper and covering himself in gooey chocolate and peanut butter.  He was thrilled with his genius.  I was not.  This was realized about 2 miles from playgroup #2. 
• Prepared for a small winter storm coming through our area.
• Put K to bed after our normal routine of story, songs, prayer, teeth brushing, and rocking.  His favorite song is, “Only a Boy Named David”.  He's awesome with his imaginary sling and makes a great dying giant impersonation!  
• Finalized the purchase of the bedding set for Baby K.  Julie, you're a genius!!  Found the matching aeronautical set I wanted on Craigslist from a major city several hours away.  They are shipping it directly to me and it will be perfect!!  I love conveniences of the internet!   
• Realized I have only several short days until Christmas!!!  Eeeek!  So much to do!
• K woke up at 3 a.m. for some unknown reason.  I went in to check on him and was immediately overpowered by the stench of a behemoth mess in his diaper.  Good morning to me! 
• Woke again later in the morning to discover a beautiful white wonderland outside.  It’s gorgeous!  Sometimes I miss the beautiful weather and palm trees of southern California (not to mention great friends and family), but we may be making a trip there again soon! 
• While writing this, K has brought me almost every toy in his toy box trying to entice me to play with him.  He’s adorable, so I’m done.  No blog, you just can't compete.  I think I’ll dress him up in his winter clothes and take him outside to make snowmen and snow angels!  Hope you’re having a great day too no matter how ordinary it may be!       

Weaned

Last week I weaned K.  On one hand it was completely liberating to have sole ownership of my body again, but on the other hand it was sad.  


We decided it was time because the new baby will be here in just about 3 months and I didn't want to be nursing 2 or have K have hard feelings toward his new little brother, and honestly I was ready...or so I thought.  I had already cut back to two times per day; morning and night, and had been on this schedule for months.  That first night while I was rocking K and he was no longer nursing, I thought I would be thrilled and happy that it was done.  Without even knowing why, tears started suddenly pouring down my cheeks.  K had fallen asleep quickly and there I was crying my eyes out over...what?  When I thought about it, I realized that for me it felt like K had just arrived a few months ago and now he was weaned!  I realized how fast time flies and I think the sentimental feelings took over.  I imagined him going to school on his first day, graduating from high school and then college, and someday living his life completely independently--which is exactly what I want for him, but not yet when I'm his mother of 21 months!  


So, I kissed him on the cheek, laid him in his crib, and walked downstairs for the first time as a "free" mommy with the new burden of realizing that one day all those things would happen and that as hard as it would be, it would also be wonderful for all of us.  I vowed to cherish the moments I have here and now and treasure the time we have together before Baby #2 arrives, and then after as a bigger family.  I also reminded myself that while time does fly, there are days that seem to drag by and hang on forever, so I need not worry too much! 


If you haven't weaned yet and are thinking about it, here are a few things that helped me: 

• Gradually cut back the number of feedings.
• Replace the special time with a different kind of special time whether it's reading books, playing with toys, or rocking (something where you are still spending time together).
• Give extra snacks to make sure your little one is getting enough to eat
• Make sure your little one's dairy/fat/calcium/etc. needs are being met since you are no longer providing that.  I've been making sure K has been getting extra organic yogurt, cheese, etc. 
• I put K to sleep with a sippy cup of water now.  That way if he really feels he needs something, he has something.  I don't give him anything but water in his cup though because I don't want him to get baby bottle mouth and have teeth issues.  Everyone is different though and you have to decide what works best for you.  
• Start when you feel ready and think your little one is too.  It was extremely easy--besides crying the first night ;-)  because I think we were both ready.  K still tried to nurse for over a week, but I just occupied him with something else.
• Good luck!  

Do You Remember This?

It's so hard to believe it's been over a year since this was taken!  I watched all of our old videos over lunch with K and was shocked at how much he has changed since he was born.  He hardly looks like the same baby!  He absolutely loved watching them even though I'm not quite sure that he understood he was watching a younger version of himself.

No One Ever Told Me (on being a mom)

• My child's kisses would brighten any day
• I would unashamedly make my child's picture the background on my computer, phone, etc.
• I would cry while watching a tragic movie involving a child
• I would worry about someone else's future more than my own
• A handpicked flower from my son would be even more beautiful than a store bought bunch from the store
• I would find so much satisfaction in playing cars and building towers
• Laughing would be extremely contagious when coming from my child
• The word "mommy" would be one of the sweetest words in the English language
• That "what if's" would terrify me when placed in the context of my children
• Watching my child sleep would be one of the sweetest things I've ever seen
• The simplest accomplishments would warrant me standing up, cheering, clapping
• I wouldn't mind my house being a little out of order at times because Lego's, blocks, balls, and cars can easily be put away
• Shopping for my son's clothes would become more fun than shopping for my own
• That each day I could love my family even more than the day before

Apple Picking

Crisp, crunchy, juicy, full-of-flavor, deep red apples made their way into our u-pick bags today at the apple farm today.  The fall day was perfect for apple picking--a little cool and slightly overcast.  We took home Northern Spy, Cortland, and McIntosh apples.  They are probably the best apples I’ve ever had!  We also bought some delicious apple cider and apple cider donuts.  The people working at the orchard were probably some of the friendliest people I've met, but that goes for all the people we've met here.  I don't know that we've ever been in a more friendly state.  

K had also had a blast picking apples.  Although he found the best part to be picking up apples from the ground and throwing them everywhere.  It was a field filled with endless “balls”.  Of course there were sticks so he picked those up as well and had a small collection by the time we left.  He was also captivated by the indoor ceiling train.  He followed it from room to room making train sounds.  

Papa and Grandma are visiting and we've had such a great time so far.  Kai's brother left on Sunday and we had such a good time with him too.  Pictures will be coming from that time and also the recent trip to Boston which was sssssooooooo much fun.  That's another city that I completely am in love with and have been ever since high school.  

 Always content with a stick

 Papa picking all the apples

 Our apple picking view

 It's a little early to pick our pumpkins, but we'll be heading back in a couple of weeks for sure!  

Smelling the flowers

"This train is the coolest!!!"

Papa holding him up for a better look

Summer Days

Summer is releasing it's hold and cool, crisp fall days are quickly taking its place.  It made me realize that I haven't posted some great pictures from summer.  On our move across the U.S., we stopped over to visit our parents and spend some quality time where we started.  It's such a beautiful quaint little beach town on the shores of Lake Michigan.  We absolutely love it there, partly because it reminds us of our early days (dating, engagement, and early marriage), and partly because of the cuteness of the town.  We're flooded with great memories every time we go back.  K also had a great time.   "Grandma" and "Papa" took him to the new water fountain play area just next to the beach and the recently opened carousel which was an icon from times past.  

K was a little hesitant at first to head into the fountain area, but after a little coaxing on my part he loved it and didn't need me at all anymore.  He and Papa had a great time getting drenched.  You can tell from the huge smile that spread ear to ear on his face.  I think it's great that kids can't suppress their feelings.  I absolutely love that when he's thrilled, he lets the world see it.  

I think Papa is pointing to the "Go Blue" under the saddle, but it's a pretty funny picture ;-) 

 

Applauding the fountains.  

"Come try this one Papa!"

I can almost hear K saying, "Daddy this is sooooo cool!"  

 

Shivering after the water fun.  He just couldn't pass the carousel without another ride.  What would we do without Grandparents?

A Brown Story

I've said before that life with a child/kids isn't glamorous or dazzling but it does provide one with all sorts of great memories and those unforgettable, "Yes, that happened to me." stories.  Here's one that happened today.

It's morning.  Kai has gone to work.  K has just woken up for the day.  I had hoped to get my shower in before he woke, but since that was not the case I will not be afforded the luxury of a nice long, quiet, free of distractions, peaceful shower.  I decide to hop in anyway, make it quick, and clean K up at the same time.  All went as planned.  I hopped out to dry off and K was thoroughly entertained with the shower pull thing (for lack of a better term) and the drain, so I thought I would take full advantage of the opportunity and get dressed.

Halfway through dressing and oh-so-thankful that even though I did not get my shower before he woke as planned, it didn't end up setting me behind too much.  At that very moment, my thoughts were interrupted by the sounds of soft little grunts.  My mind raced for a brief second trying to place the sound.  It clicked.  NO!!!!  I made a mad dash into the bathroom only to find that I was too late.  I arrived just as the second plop of poop landed on the white shower floor.  Yuk!  I realize that almost every mother has a story of their child pooping in the bathtub, and that I should be used to this by now. However, K has never pooped in the bathtub--ever!

Standing over him in the tub, I was trying to think of how best to handle the situation.  The first thought that came to mind was, "This might be a great potty training moment!"  Not that we were even thinking of starting down that road yet, but I at least thought he might put 2 and 2 together and get the concept.  So since he appeared to still be working on the task at hand, I quickly grabbed him (soaking wet and all) and set/held him on the toilet to try to let him finish in the "proper" place.  No sooner than he realized he was on the big white giant, he started screaming at the top of his lungs as though he thought it was going to swallow him up whole.  Realizing nothing was going according to my plan, I quickly grabbed toilet paper, cleaned him up, and got him into a diaper.

Apparently potty training is still a looooooooong way off.  Lesson learned.

A Bite of the Big Apple

Kai had a continuing ed course on Friday, so we packed up and headed into the big city. Secretly I've been looking forward to this trip ever since I found out about it. I've never been to NYC before. Kai's been a few times, but it was a first for me. I LOVED it!! From the very first day, I fell in love. Kai was sitting through his course, so I took K to Central Park to play. The cool-ish start to the fall weather was refreshing. Joggers and walkers were everywhere running the expansive exclusive area of Central Park. I knew if I lived there, I would join them every morning. There is something to be said for having workout partners or even just an exercise mentality in an area like Central Park. It made me miss my 3 longtime workout partners from LL! We may have to make a trip back just so we can see all the good friends we miss and rejoin my workout classes for a week--haha :-)

Okay, back to NYC. Horns were honking, birds were singing, and I could smell fresh coffee brewing every few blocks. The city was alive! After 20 minutes of hunting for free parking, I found a spot, noticed I only had 3 hours until I had to move from that spot, and so I quickly unloaded the stroller. I left the diapers in the car thinking I could make it 3 hours without them. Wrong! Playgrounds dot the perimeter of the Park every few blocks. After getting a little exercise while K devoured his breakfast of Mini-Wheats, we found a great spot on the other side of the park.  No sooner than I took K out of the stroller to play with the other kids, he promptly pooped his pants. Not the slight odor that can be ignored type, but rather the "I'M HERE AND PLAN TO MAKE MYSELF KNOWN" type. I debated long and hard and decided to give him some time to play before heading back across the park to change him. Besides, since I wasn't local, I figured no one could really hold it against me. I could be labeled the-mom-with-the-stinky-kid, but I wouldn't be around to deal with it. So K played and I talked. If anyone noticed the stink coming from my son, they didn't mention it thankfully. There were moms/nannies and kids galore! We had such a fun time playing and chatting. It was so nice to have mom conversations again. Soon enough I loaded him up, headed back and changed him, and took him to another park closer to our car. It was 3 hours well spent to start the weekend.

A typical self portrait taken on the subway.

This is taken at an amazing vegan restaurant that 4 separate friends (who don't even know each other) recommended, so we had to try it. Everything is organic and made from scratch. We started with an appetizer of ravioli and single servings of potato salad (pictured here) followed up by 2 entrees that were to die for. It was probably the best vegan food we've ever had! I have to come clean though. After an entire vegan dinner we topped it off with a big serving of "Birthday Cake Remix" ice cream from Cold Stone's.

These guys were playing in Grand Central Station and were awesome! We rocked it with them for several minutes en route to our next stop. They had a huge crowd which always makes it more fun.

Hans Christian Anderson (a long time family favorite) in Central Park

"Whoa! It's crowded in here!" Taking the subway around town. K flirted with all the girls and they all thought he was the most adorable thing. Of course it helps when they say, "Well, aren't you a handsome little guy!" to which he responds by signing "Thank you" which looks like he's blowing them a kiss. He makes lots of friends very quickly that way!

At ground zero on Sept. 11th. It was a very sobering experience. We watched part of the memorial on the hotel tv before we left since it was closed to anyone except family/etc. of the victims. I held it together pretty well until a roughly 10 year old boy stood up to read his portion of the names and at the end of his list paid tribute to his father killed in the attacks. Maybe it's my pregnancy hormones or maybe it's just being a parent, but I completely fell apart and turned into a blubbering mess. I can't imagine losing Kai and raising K to not know his amazing father. But I'm sure there were several families that found themselves in that tragic circumstance. My heart goes out to them.

I pulled it together and we went to see Ground Zero and the memorial under construction. It looks like it will be absolutely beautiful when it's completed. We saw protesters protesting that 9/11 was an inside job and other protesters protesting the mosque that's scheduled to be built 2 blocks from Ground Zero. I am in favor of religious freedom, but I also think there's something to be said for respect for the event that happened there. I personally think 2 blocks is a little too close to the tragic event that happened as a result of the extremists in the religion proposing the mosque. Religious freedom is everyone's constitutional right, but I think the issue at hand deals more with tact and respect than religious freedom.

A news van close to Ground Zero. All that comes to mind when I see this is that I'm sure a man designed this. I laugh every time. Enough said.

Brooklyn Bridge (I took this picture so I'm bragging just a little because I love how it turned out)

Walking the Brooklyn Bridge with Manhattan in the background. Quick embarrassing story: Apparently the baby hasn't moved up yet because I still have to pee all the time. I had to go before we started walking the bridge, but I couldn't find a bathroom anywhere. I figured I could make it to the other side and take care of it then. By the end of the bridge I was doing the potty walk and searching desperately for a bathroom. (Apparently all the Starbucks are on the Manhattan side, not the Brooklyn side.) The only place we found was a restaurant which had big signs declaring boldly that only customers could use the bathroom. We begged, I even played the pregnant card. No luck. We asked if we could just buy one of the packs of gum they had for sale at the register. "$2 minimum purchase." the hostess replied. 7 packs of gum later, the situation was resolved.

At the Top of the Rock (Rockefeller Center). You can see the Empire State Building and the World Trade Center memorial lights shining into the night sky.

Same

Reaching through the glass to the nothingness 70 stories below.

At the Rockefeller Center Ice Arena (at least in the winter months). In the summer months it's a restaurant hot spot.

THE BIG PIANO!! At F.A.O. Schwarz Toystore. These players were amazing!

They asked us to come up and perform--Just Kidding! But we were first in line after the presentation :-)

"Almost, almost, almost..."

Near Times Square. Our hotel was right on Times Square which was perfect because it seemed to be the heart of the action, but it was a little tough to maneuver a stroller through the big crowds. We saw live concerts, comedy clubs, and more taking place outside for all to enjoy every time we strolled through.

It's hard to notice, but it was actually pouring rain. We gave up our umbrella for this picture and luckily you can't really tell that we're getting soaked, but we are. It's funny what we're willing to sacrifice for a picture. I never thought that would be good weather to see Lady Liberty in, but we had so much fun!

Here we are soaked and grabbing a burger on Liberty Island. I have 3 pictures like this and in all 3 at least 1 person is looking in a different direction, so I used this fantastic one of me looking like a ghost thanks to the flash ;-)

We realized that we are only 3 1/2 hours from NYC, so we'll definitely be heading back.

This was a much longer than usual post. I left out a fun little experience that I will make into another blog later this week. This was seriously as short as I could make this one. Thanks for making it through :-)