It's long, but worth watching!
After the museum, we went to a diner and had our first family dinner out where Melody joined us at the table! She sat in a highchair and ate chicken and crackers. Theo loved having her sit with us. The kids were both so well behaved. Well, except for when Theo mixed his milk with his water. But at least he drank it!
Saturday, March 07, 2009
Friday, March 06, 2009
Ultimate Sweetheart
Theo loved making a birthday card for Uncle Elliot on Sunday. Since then, he's been cutting out squares and writing our names and giving them to us! I'm accumulating a collection of "mommy" cards, "daddy" cards, and "Melody" cards. Sometimes he'll staple pieces of paper together to make a card. He's pretty obsessed with stapling lately, too.
But the card thing is indicative of how sweet he is. No one told him to make us cards; he really enjoys the act of giving. Sharon says he makes cards for her at her house, too! And that his "S" is backwards...so cute. :)
And I should also add that he's getting really good at writing his letters!
But the card thing is indicative of how sweet he is. No one told him to make us cards; he really enjoys the act of giving. Sharon says he makes cards for her at her house, too! And that his "S" is backwards...so cute. :)
And I should also add that he's getting really good at writing his letters!
My Date With My Son
Theo is the most fun when we're out. He's at his cutest, most charming out, probably because he's always so excited to be out with us and not shipped off to school. Joe and I both had one-on-one dates with him. Joe took him to see the Gazillion Bubbles Show--they both wore sportsjackets for this theatrical experience. But that's Joe's story to tell. Here's an account of my date with my boy.
CLICK HERE TO VIEW FULL PHOTO ALBUM OF DATE
We grabbed hot chocolate for the train ride. Or as Theo put it--"I'll have hot chocolate, and you have tea, mommy!" Theo and I headed to Bryant Park for his first ever ice skating attempt. I've never seen anyone have so much fun falling! He never did get the hang of it, but we still had a blast. The next day I was incredibly sore--I didn't even realize how hard I worked my muscles by trying to keep him upright.
After a McDonald's lunch, we headed for the Museum of Natural History. We visited the Butterfly Conservatory. He was in awe! He really was. I didn't expect it. I also didn't expect the butterflies to be as enormous as they were! They were magnificent.
After that, we participated in a planetarium focus group. We had to watch a boring planetarium screening on a tiny TV..he was a good boy during that half hour. After answering questions, we were released with 4 free tickets back to the museum, planetarium, and all the special exhibits! Sweeeet.
A rhino! Or at least he used to be...
We visited all the animals, and he was mildly interested, but by then he was so exhausted he wanted to go home. Even the dinosaur skeletons weren't enough to keep him awake. So, next time we'll start with that.
Before we left, he picked out a cute book on caterpillars and butterflies from the gift shop. It was a truly magical date. I love spending one on one time with my little sweetheart. He's a great kid.
ONCE AGAIN, CLICK HERE TO VIEW FULL PHOTO ALBUM OF DATE!
CLICK HERE TO VIEW FULL PHOTO ALBUM OF DATE
We grabbed hot chocolate for the train ride. Or as Theo put it--"I'll have hot chocolate, and you have tea, mommy!" Theo and I headed to Bryant Park for his first ever ice skating attempt. I've never seen anyone have so much fun falling! He never did get the hang of it, but we still had a blast. The next day I was incredibly sore--I didn't even realize how hard I worked my muscles by trying to keep him upright.
After a McDonald's lunch, we headed for the Museum of Natural History. We visited the Butterfly Conservatory. He was in awe! He really was. I didn't expect it. I also didn't expect the butterflies to be as enormous as they were! They were magnificent.
After that, we participated in a planetarium focus group. We had to watch a boring planetarium screening on a tiny TV..he was a good boy during that half hour. After answering questions, we were released with 4 free tickets back to the museum, planetarium, and all the special exhibits! Sweeeet.
A rhino! Or at least he used to be...
We visited all the animals, and he was mildly interested, but by then he was so exhausted he wanted to go home. Even the dinosaur skeletons weren't enough to keep him awake. So, next time we'll start with that.
Before we left, he picked out a cute book on caterpillars and butterflies from the gift shop. It was a truly magical date. I love spending one on one time with my little sweetheart. He's a great kid.
ONCE AGAIN, CLICK HERE TO VIEW FULL PHOTO ALBUM OF DATE!
Theo Does Yoga and Dances!
Theo was so beautiful and elegant doing yoga with me, and enjoyed it so much, that I decided to enroll him in dance. (I confess I also had just seen Billy Elliot on Broadway and pictured Theo with his long, lovely body in dance clothes and ballet shoes). He's taking a ballet/tap class once a week. So far he loves it! There is one other boy in his class. He doesn't have his shoes yet, but he's particularly excited to get his tap shoes! And they have a little recital in June--it's going to be so adorable.
The first time I saw him in class, spinning across the floor, arms out with a smile on his face, my heart jumped! And he did kicks across the floor with his characteristic focused face; It was the most beautiful thing I'd ever seen. I'm really glad we're doing this. I'm so proud of how well he did; he kept up with most of the girls who had been in the class since September.
Mom's also going to start piano lessons with him Monday, and he begins tee ball in the Spring. The idea is for him to have fun above all, be well rounded and find something he's really good at. I think it's important to develop something, whatever it turns out to be. The worst thing that could happen to Theo is for him to get lost. He works best when engaged. A neurologist told us that a couple of years ago, and it's very true. He needs to go to the zoo, the museum, see shows, do projects--keep his mind active as much as possible. This is true for all kids of course, but Theo really requires the sensory experiences. And he's a very visual learner, so the more he sees, the better.
The first time I saw him in class, spinning across the floor, arms out with a smile on his face, my heart jumped! And he did kicks across the floor with his characteristic focused face; It was the most beautiful thing I'd ever seen. I'm really glad we're doing this. I'm so proud of how well he did; he kept up with most of the girls who had been in the class since September.
Mom's also going to start piano lessons with him Monday, and he begins tee ball in the Spring. The idea is for him to have fun above all, be well rounded and find something he's really good at. I think it's important to develop something, whatever it turns out to be. The worst thing that could happen to Theo is for him to get lost. He works best when engaged. A neurologist told us that a couple of years ago, and it's very true. He needs to go to the zoo, the museum, see shows, do projects--keep his mind active as much as possible. This is true for all kids of course, but Theo really requires the sensory experiences. And he's a very visual learner, so the more he sees, the better.
Happy 8 months birthday, Melody!
This will be a quickie since, um, oops--Melody will be 9 months in 4 days! But I remember she got her 5th tooth on Valentine's Day and the 6th tooth right after. She was 18.5 pounds, and as you can see, standing very nicely!
Monday, February 09, 2009
Theo is Funny
Sharon, Theo's babysitter, just IMed me this and I had to share. (Mariah is Sharon's daughter.)
"the other day i kept sneezing and he says to MAriah "MYRIAH go get mommy a tissue pleeeaseeeee" !! lol we were laughing and Mariah said Theo thats not mommy that's Sharon and he said I know silly girl thats your mommy now get her a tissue!!! "
"the other day i kept sneezing and he says to MAriah "MYRIAH go get mommy a tissue pleeeaseeeee" !! lol we were laughing and Mariah said Theo thats not mommy that's Sharon and he said I know silly girl thats your mommy now get her a tissue!!! "
Friday, February 06, 2009
Saturday, January 31, 2009
Tooth Number 3? Already?
What's with the little alien baby getting her first 3 teeth in less than a week? She must know how cute she looks, and just wants to look even cuter. The third to arrive this morning was her other bottom front tooth, the bottom right.
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
End of a Gummy Era
And so we say goodbye forever to a toothless smile.
This morning, Melody woke up with not one, but two teeth broken through! Her top right and her bottom left are sticking out through her gums like tiny little specks!
This morning, Melody woke up with not one, but two teeth broken through! Her top right and her bottom left are sticking out through her gums like tiny little specks!
Monday, January 19, 2009
Saturday, January 10, 2009
Happy 7 Months, Melody!
Uh oh, look out, she's mobile!
A friend told me "wait 'til they start going in different directions." That hasn't happened yet. Melody goes in whatever direction her big brother goes. I predict she'll be his shadow for a long time before they start going in different directions. But when that day comes, it's gonna be even crazier than it is now!
As the family saw, Melody was really starting to crawl by Christmas. She has been gradually going from "knee, knee, plop, knee, knee, plop" a la Maggie Simpson, to real crawling.
She's still only about 16 1/2 lbs, and 25 inches. An adorable peewee! Her hair gets higher, though. Those teeth aren't poked through yet, amazingly, given how swollen her gums are. I'm enjoying my toothless baby for as long as I can, since we're still going strong on breastfeeding.
Melody rejects the Mets.
Almost all the mommies in my group are back to work, and in the cold weather, are meetings are fewer and far between, but we're doing our best to stick together and allow the babies to see each other. Melody gets really excited when she sees her little friends. These days, the babies touch each other's faces and pull each other's hair. Good times.
Melody's crankier these days with the teething, but I unleash my secret weapon--Theo. I've taken to saying "Theo, go make Melody laugh." He sticks his face in front of hers and talks to her, he brings her toys, and sure enough, she goes from crying to laughing in seconds. He's funny, too, because if it doesn't work, he gets upset. "Mommy, she's not laughing. I'm not making her laugh," he says with his little scrunched up sad face.
My favorite. Both asleep like angels, the house is quiet...ain't nothing better.
Melody's favorite toy is paper, as Theo's was at her age. But while he safely crumpled it, she eats it, so it's a constant watch with this one.
Clay recently came for a visit, so Melody got a chance to meet her other big brother. She adored him just as much! What is it with her and big brothers?? She couldn't take her eyes off him when he walked in the room. Clay fell in love with her and her baby blues. Who wouldn't?
Theo's such a scootch for pictures these days, this is as close as I could get with a smile--and that was with the bribe of ice cream afterward!
Melody enjoys solid food, but she does get distracted during mealtime. She wants to grab things around her, and if Theo's nearby, forget it. We actually have to get him to come help feed her if we want her to pay any attention at all. Her food is still all homemade--she recently had a cold, so I made chicken soup and pureed it! Only the best for my baby. :)
This girl is big on chit chat. Blahblahblahblahblah all day long! Still mostly "da da," but she did say "ba" once! She's starting to pull herself up to standing. She gets stronger every day. We're holding on, with the recognition that there's not much baby time left.
Monday, December 22, 2008
Lovin' His Sister
Sometimes getting Theo to apologize to mommy and daddy is like pulling teeth. But you know what's sweet? Theo has no problem saying sorry to Melody. Even if he just comes close to running into her he says "Oh, sorry, Melody!" I'm jealous but secretly overjoyed :)
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
But Wait, There's More!
All this talk about Smellody and I almost neglected the original subject of this blog-- B.O.
My boy recently came home with a fancy Student of the Month certificate. Go Theo!
My boy recently came home with a fancy Student of the Month certificate. Go Theo!
Happy Half-Year, Melody!
Excuse me? Are we at six months already? Where did it go. Seems like I hardly remember a thing, and yet I remember every second. If that makes sense at all.
But looking at my girl at six months, my heart is full. She's beautiful, smart, funny---the girl of my dreams! Here she is...
What a munchkin, huh? She's about 16.5 lbs. As you can see, she got her ears pierced! Mom and I took her to get it done just before Thanksgiving. Nov. 23 to be exact. She's officially a girl now.
That face. It kills me. Her eyes? They really kill everyone. In certain sunlight they actually look crystal.
Aaand look who's sitting! My hippie. She is going for longer and longer stretches--at most, a couple of minutes--before toppling over. She started really sitting about 2 or 3 weeks ago. She has excellent control on her belly, and is even beginning to explore the notion of getting onto her knees.
See the drool on her shirt? Yep, that's from nonstop teething. I said a month ago the teeth would come any day...I was wrong. Looks like she just may get her two front teeth for Christmas (and that's all she wants, cuz then she'd finally whistle).
Melody continues to adore Theo. That's who has her smiling in that last photo. She also loves her baby friends. The moms take turns hosting, and last night I had 14 people in my living room. Albeit half of them were babies, but they count as people. It's amazing how animated she gets around them. They really love spending time together. (And the moms love watching them play as we drank spiked eggnog.)
She's been eating solid food every other day, but she still has the tongue thrusting reflex and makes a huge mess. That will subside soon, which will make us both happy. She wants the food so, so badly! She just needs to figure out how to get it! Now that she's six months, the official "proper" time to get her eating, I'll feed her more regularly. So far she likes avocado, banana, apple, and rice cereal. For some reason she rejected sweet potato, which was Theo's first food that he loved. Guess she wants to be her own chick.
As for toys, she loves her playmat with the toys hanging down, her teether toys, and pushing Theo's cars. She still absolutely adores books and music. I mean, she's really a typical baby there. Her favorite toy is probably a human face. She loves to touch faces. And pet the cats, who have become such good sports they both deserve a medal.
At Thanksgiving she was just full of "da da da's"! She also has the ga ga ga sound. Though she mostly just squeals her head off these days. She's starting to discover blowing bubbles, too.
Melody went on the swings today for the first time! She absolutely loved it! We were with friends. Imagine four babies swinging in a row. It doesn't get much cuter.
She loves the lights of her first Christmas tree. We all are basking in the magic of the season. It's really the best time to have a lovely little family as I do, and I'm fortunate. Now on to enjoy the next half year!
But looking at my girl at six months, my heart is full. She's beautiful, smart, funny---the girl of my dreams! Here she is...
What a munchkin, huh? She's about 16.5 lbs. As you can see, she got her ears pierced! Mom and I took her to get it done just before Thanksgiving. Nov. 23 to be exact. She's officially a girl now.That face. It kills me. Her eyes? They really kill everyone. In certain sunlight they actually look crystal.Aaand look who's sitting! My hippie. She is going for longer and longer stretches--at most, a couple of minutes--before toppling over. She started really sitting about 2 or 3 weeks ago. She has excellent control on her belly, and is even beginning to explore the notion of getting onto her knees.See the drool on her shirt? Yep, that's from nonstop teething. I said a month ago the teeth would come any day...I was wrong. Looks like she just may get her two front teeth for Christmas (and that's all she wants, cuz then she'd finally whistle).
Melody continues to adore Theo. That's who has her smiling in that last photo. She also loves her baby friends. The moms take turns hosting, and last night I had 14 people in my living room. Albeit half of them were babies, but they count as people. It's amazing how animated she gets around them. They really love spending time together. (And the moms love watching them play as we drank spiked eggnog.)
She's been eating solid food every other day, but she still has the tongue thrusting reflex and makes a huge mess. That will subside soon, which will make us both happy. She wants the food so, so badly! She just needs to figure out how to get it! Now that she's six months, the official "proper" time to get her eating, I'll feed her more regularly. So far she likes avocado, banana, apple, and rice cereal. For some reason she rejected sweet potato, which was Theo's first food that he loved. Guess she wants to be her own chick.
As for toys, she loves her playmat with the toys hanging down, her teether toys, and pushing Theo's cars. She still absolutely adores books and music. I mean, she's really a typical baby there. Her favorite toy is probably a human face. She loves to touch faces. And pet the cats, who have become such good sports they both deserve a medal.
At Thanksgiving she was just full of "da da da's"! She also has the ga ga ga sound. Though she mostly just squeals her head off these days. She's starting to discover blowing bubbles, too.
Melody went on the swings today for the first time! She absolutely loved it! We were with friends. Imagine four babies swinging in a row. It doesn't get much cuter.
She loves the lights of her first Christmas tree. We all are basking in the magic of the season. It's really the best time to have a lovely little family as I do, and I'm fortunate. Now on to enjoy the next half year!
Thanksgiving 2008
Better late than never...here is a photographic look at Thanksgiving. Melody enjoyed her first Turkey Day...she even ate mashed potatoes and some rice pudding! Theo shoveled down the turkey and pretended not to enjoy it, but the rate at which he scarfed it into his mouth gave him away.
Gotta love the boys on the trampoline. And Bo, ever the faithful companion, joined them. Now the Browns have a new puppy, Bailey, who we'll meet at Christmas. Can't wait!
Look at Ethan go!
As usual, Carl cooked up an incredible feast with the help of Jodi and the boys, who did a lot of the chopping and food prep. Good little sous chefs in our family!
Melody in her purple dress was the hit of the night! No one is used to having girls around.
Melody and Grandma Popcorn, looking proud! Such pretty ladies :)
Gotta love the boys on the trampoline. And Bo, ever the faithful companion, joined them. Now the Browns have a new puppy, Bailey, who we'll meet at Christmas. Can't wait!
Look at Ethan go!
As usual, Carl cooked up an incredible feast with the help of Jodi and the boys, who did a lot of the chopping and food prep. Good little sous chefs in our family!
Melody in her purple dress was the hit of the night! No one is used to having girls around.
Melody and Grandma Popcorn, looking proud! Such pretty ladies :)
Theo-Isms
This morning:
Theo: Mommy, where's the cookie jar?
Me: I hid it.
Theo: You broke it?
Me: No, not hit it. I hid it. I put it in a secret place.
Theo: Where's that?
Last night:
I was in the bedroom with Melody. Theo called from the living room in a whiny groggy voice:
"Mommmmmy! Come lay on the couch with me! Come get comfortable!"
Theo: Mommy, where's the cookie jar?
Me: I hid it.
Theo: You broke it?
Me: No, not hit it. I hid it. I put it in a secret place.
Theo: Where's that?
Last night:
I was in the bedroom with Melody. Theo called from the living room in a whiny groggy voice:
"Mommmmmy! Come lay on the couch with me! Come get comfortable!"
Monday, November 10, 2008
Happy 5 Months Birthday, Melody!
As I type this, Melody is jumping in her doorway jumpy thingie and sucking on a frozen apple slice through a mesh feeder thingie. Yes, I said thingie twice. Why am I starting off with this information? Just to illustrate--sniff! My baby is growing up!
I expect her bottom teeth to appear any minute. Her fingers have taken up residence in her mouth. Any object she holds goes in there too.
Her favorite place to be is on her tummy. She has plenty of stuff to "do" while she's there, like look at herself in her mirror.
Her favorite games--there's the boring patty cake and peekaboo that I play with her. (Cuz, well, they work. She loves them.) But daddy's more creative. They have a routine where they do the hand jive, the mashed potato, the alligator, and the twist.
Her favorite person--toss-up between mommy and brother. She has to love me, I'm her mother. But the bond she has with Theo is really special. He made up a game where she lies on her playmat and he pulls it around. He's driving her around in a "schoolbus." He even tells her to put on her seatbelt! And to think we once worried that he didn't engage in imaginary play. She loves the game too, because it's an excuse to smile in awe at Theo as he walks around with her. Yesterday Theo held up a microphone to her and she broke out into wild laughter, which made him laugh. I love watching my babies! Which also includes my orange babies, who tend to sniff her periodically and then walk away. They're incredibly gentle with her...they just know.
We've taken to having Melody in bed with us when we read to Theo at storytime nightly. She loves books! She has no favorite at this stage, but she enjoys the process of looking at the pictures and the turning pages. Although again, she tends to watch Theo more than the books, with wide eyes. She likes to touch him. She grabs him and pokes him and pinches him. Like the cats, he's very tolerable around her and giggles and asks me why Melody is pinching him.
With Melody's gums still bare, breastfeeding is still a pleasure! The best part is her excitement when she knows it's mealtime. When she sees the "dinner" draw near, she flails her arms around and smiles, and her eyes twinkle! My favorite times are when she gets impatient with me and actually grabs my boob and brings it to her mouth. What a genius.
I started her on solids this week. Just a tablespoon of rice cereal here, a bit of smashed banana there. She likes everything she's had so far, but it's too soon to tell what she favors. I'm going to try to make as much of her baby food myself as I can, at least in the beginning. There is an awesome website for this: Wholesome Baby Food.
We still attend weekly playgroups with other mommies and babies in the 'hood. Melody really responds well to other babies. Like her brother, she's turning out to be a real observer.
On to stats--she's 15 and a half pounds and 24 inches long...that's 2 feet!
Now, Melody is asleep on daddy's chest. She's got him smitten, all right. He wants to build her a tower and keep her in it when she gets older. That closes my monthly report. I'm gonna go snuggle with my family!
Tuesday, November 04, 2008
Halloween 2008: Ocean Family
It was so windy I couldn't get my hair out of my face!CLICK HERE TO VIEW PHOTOS OF OUR CONEY ISLAND PHOTO SHOOT.
These photos are from the Annual Halloween Parade in the village. Forget Suri and the Brangelina brats--our kids were the most photographed kids in history!
At least 5 people asked if Melody was a real baby. They thought she was a doll, especially when she was asleep. At one point, she moved her arms, and someone actually yelped, leaping backward in surprise!
This is a press photo I found on the internet.
Another press photo. Joe and Theo did the Spongebob dance along the parade route.
Unfortunately these cell phone photos are the only ones I have of me as Ursula, the sea witch.
Joe was a big hit with the kids. One kid shouted, "Squidward's mean to you! Just ignore him!"
We marched with the ASPCA and the Mayor's Alliance for NYC Animal's float.
The prettiest little mermaid.The kids had a great time at the parade. Melody managed to fall asleep, even though we were next to a marching band. Theo eventually tired out and rode on daddy Spongebob's shoulders--also falling asleep.
Random Ramblings of a Proud Mama
Happy Election Day. I'm trying not to get excited yet. I know it's not over 'til it's over.
So, cute stuff:
Last week, Melody went to the doc for a second round of shots, having gotten them 2 weeks earlier. As soon as she laid on the doc's table, she cried! I was so proud of my smartie pants for remembering what happens on that table. I think it's true that parents will find any excuse to be proud of their kids. Theo has always liked going to the doctor and even as a baby didn't cry when we arrived. I was always so proud of his bravery. And now I'm proud of Melody for having the opposite reaction.
Said Theo to doc, who was about to give Melody her shot: "Noooooo! Don't break Melody!"
Milestone report: on October 29, Melody actually sat on her own! Unassisted! It lasted a good 20 seconds before the plop. This girl is also as mobile as she possibly can be. She manages to get from one side of her play mat to the other, even though she can't crawl yet. Chica's got places to go.
So, cute stuff:
Last week, Melody went to the doc for a second round of shots, having gotten them 2 weeks earlier. As soon as she laid on the doc's table, she cried! I was so proud of my smartie pants for remembering what happens on that table. I think it's true that parents will find any excuse to be proud of their kids. Theo has always liked going to the doctor and even as a baby didn't cry when we arrived. I was always so proud of his bravery. And now I'm proud of Melody for having the opposite reaction.
Said Theo to doc, who was about to give Melody her shot: "Noooooo! Don't break Melody!"
Milestone report: on October 29, Melody actually sat on her own! Unassisted! It lasted a good 20 seconds before the plop. This girl is also as mobile as she possibly can be. She manages to get from one side of her play mat to the other, even though she can't crawl yet. Chica's got places to go.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
