Have you ever noticed....

Have you ever noticed that when you have a kid, hardly anything annoys you about other people's kids?

I mean sure the rude ones grate under your skin.... kinda like nails on a chalkboard.

But I saw a little girl running from a car to the playground today and the mother was frantically running after her to keep up. I couldn't help but giggle at the scene. It was just sweet to me. Before kids, Mr. and I would see a kid do that and say "why can't they keep their kids under control?" Now it is funny and adorable when the child screams "Let's play tag mommy!" and takes off. The mother to her credit, was very fast to catch up and took it all in stride.

Also, have you noticed that things regarding children on TV hits you like a cement bag to the gut?

Seriously, any time news stories or shows about children in danger happens the tears well up and the blubbering starts or the unnerving feeling sinks in. And the sentimental commercials.... forget it. Hallmark ads are the worst. And the ASPCA ads with Sarah McLaughlin - those ads I had to shut off when I was pregnant because I would really be a mess once they were over.

Also, have you noticed that after a tantrum a toddler can snuggle up on your lap and all is forgiven?

That one shocked me too.

Disney and Star Wars

Many people are asking me what I think about Lucasfilm and Disney.


Holy crap it is AWESOME!

Now before I am berated by geeks everywhere.... let's face it, we wanted this. We wanted Lucas to step aside and hand the franchise over to a new generation. We wanted him to stop changing movies for the worse (I'm looking at you the end of the original trilogy). We wanted someone who will return their movies to their former glory. But also the opportunity to tell a story without injecting horrible new characters (Jar Jar) and a studio who knows what to do with the talent to make the movies actually watchable.

And... you know.... maybe release a certain Christmas special on DVD. 

And for those of you out there worried about the Disnification of Star Wars or Indy - The Avengers was the first Marvel Movie distributed under the Disney/Marvel agreement.

One could only hope for so much awesome for Star Wars.

2015 the boy will be about 4 years old. Hopefully we can take him to the movies to see them. Because money has it he is a geek... Like his parents before him...


See what I did there?

An Almost 17 Month Old's Favorite Things

This is Monkey.... Monkey likes the following:

• Sesame Street (Particularly: The Count, Cookie and "Elmu")
• Cookies
• Dancing
• Thomas the Tank Engine
• Mater
• Getting into things he doesn't belong in
• Coloring
• Art Projects
• Doc McStuffins
• Jake and the Neverland Pirates
• Mickey Mouse Clubhouse
• Reading
• Food!
• Yogurt covered raisins
• Visiting the Zoo or the Farm
• Pumpkins
• Ghosts that say "Boo"
• Animals
• Playing with Stuffed animals
• Learning new things
• Making food with Mommy

Tricks or Treats!

First, I hope that everyone in the path of Sandy is good and safe. We here at Musings are fine. We were home for a few days, but everyone is back to their daily schedule.

 

Now on to Halloween... Because that doesn't stop for hurricanes, tropical storms, post tropical storms, super storms and the like. 

 

 

 

This is the Monkey all ready for going Trick or Treating. We went out as a family of pirates. I don't want to brag, but the boy is smart. Our first house he was timid. Since he couldn't say trick or treat, I said it for him and the folks were great at understanding what we were doing. By the end, he was attempting to say trick or treat, telling people that ghosts say boo and thanking people for the candy.... that Daddy and I have confiscated. (17 months is too young for lots of candy).

But he got it. He really did. And he loved seeing the kids in their costumes, the lights and the fun Halloween scenes. I don't believe people who say that kids under 2 do not understand what they are told about the holidays. Because he knows what happens on Halloween and more importantly to say his please and thank you. This makes me even more excited about teaching Mikey about being thankful at Thanksgiving, giving at Christmas and all about the big jolly guy with the beard and the presents. Because he gets it. 

We only did about 10 houses, but every moment is a memory that is treasured forever.

We do what we must....

Dear Monkey,

Everyday, but some days more than others, I miss you when I leave you to go to work. I always feel that you are getting jipped by not getting to see Daddy and I as much as you probably want to. Trust me Buddy; we wish the very same thing. Today was one of those days. It is very hard to work when I think of you and wonder what you are doing.

Unfortunately, we both need to work to keep a roof over our head, food in our tummys and health insurance in case we get sick. These things are very important to keep you healthy and strong. But know that when we are home with you; we love to play, go to fun places and be with you.

My wish is that someday you will look at your childhood and remember how Mommy taught you how to make cookies or daddy playing animals on the living room floor (and how his piggy is the best). It is our goal to give you every experience we can so your childhood is the best ever.

So Mommy and Daddy both have to work. Someday you will learn that some Mommies or Daddies get to stay at home with their kids and play all day. You may be a little jealous. Remember this my little guy, we are working for the good of all of us. Be proud of your Mommy and Daddy because what we do we do for you.

But always know that deep down it breaks our heart to leave you to work - even if you are happy when we go.

Love,
Mommy

Forming the Bond

This week is the rather inconvenient (at least to us) week that day care is closed as they transition from day camp format back to school. Having to take so much time for medical stuff has left me strapped time off wise, and so I searched for babysitters.

I am so lucky to have a family that loves this little guy so much. My dad (Monkey's Grampa) and his Auntie have had him for two days and Monkey's grandma (my mom) had him on her usual Thursday. My dad heard I was trying to find coverage, and immediately told me I didn't have to worry, he would watch the little guy.

It is amazing the effect a grandfather (or grandmother) has on a child. It happened with my Grampy and I and I can see it happening with my Dad. I have recieved pictures of the little guy with his Grampa on the ride on lawn mower, reading or watching TV and sharing a snack. Whenever he spots my Dad enter the house, he freaks out (in the best way possible) and runs for a hug. Then he drags his Grampa to play with something or points to the door, sure that they will be going on another adventure.

And he forgets all about his Mommy. Not a hug. Not a kiss. Just a waive and a "Bye".

That is not a bad thing, honestly, it makes me happy. I see my Dad around my son and it triggers flashbacks of how close I was with my Grampy. The unabashed joy they have at being together is a vision I treasure and will treasure always.

We recently took a trip to Maine with the Monkey's Nana, Monkey's Grampa, Monkey's Great Nana and Monkey's Great Beepa. I was looking through the photos the other day, and the joy on every one's face when around Monkey was visible. Even my Nana, who has Alzheimer's, enjoyed every second with him. But more importantly I have the memory of my Dad I will keep in my heart forever.

It was late afternoon on Saturday, and my dad had been working on something in the cellar with my great grandfather. We were playing outside when we heard the rumble of an engine. Up the drive came my dad on the four wheeler. My dad asked"Do you mind if I take him for a ride?" He seemed almost shocked when I told him, "Sure, go ahead but be careful." And off they went. Both Monkey and his Grandpa as happy as ever as they drove down the driveway and off into the fading day. When they drove back up the driveway, my son was squealing with delight, and my dad had a huge grin on his face. "MO!" screamed my son, signing please. My dad looked overjoyed, "do you mind if I take him again?" And they off they went, looking for deer. They returned and we had dinner. When we were done, my dad and Monkey went off on yet another ride looking for deer. They drove up the driveway on the way back to the house and I can see them both genuinely grinning. 

I hope he learns a lot from my Dad. He is a pretty incredible guy.

Someday, when I am much older, he will be ditching his Mommy and his Grampa to play with his friends, go on a date, leave for college. My hope for him is that his children have the bond with his grandparents that my son has with his. So lucky I tell you!   

Wow... really that long!

So I have been attending to Mommy duty, health issues and an increasingly busy summer schedule... but it has been a long time readers, and hopefully I am back for a long blog haul.

What has been going on? Everything. Summer began with Monkey's First Birthday. It was a beautiful day at a beautiful venue with all of his friends and family surrounding us. We have spent weekends on the Cape, and more recently spent 5 days enjoying nature in Maine. We visited the lake, the beach, Ediville Railroad, Providence Children's Museum, Acton Fair, and York's Wild Animal Kingdom.

Health wise; at Monkey's Birthday, Monkey's Grampa had a stroke. Everything is ok, but it scared the bejebus out of us. He was in the hospital a couple weeks later for low iron, and again everything worked out and he is doing good now. Two weeks after Monkey's Party, we found out my Ulcerative Colitis was a misdiagnosis, and that the correct diagnosis is either Chrones or IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome). I had a capsule endoscopy, and I will get the results from that next week. The new medicine that I am on is allowing me the ability to eat some of my triggers without an issue. I can now order ice cream without feeling like I was stabbed in the stomach. The CPAP machine is doing wonders for me. So awesome.

Mostly the Summer has been spent making memories of our lives as a family of three. Every second is precious as we are busy with the day to day, and quality time is at a premium. So sometimes it is as easy as having a Wiggly Dance Party at home or taking a ride to the beach.

Monkey is thriving. This week is the vacation week at daycare and when he goes back, he will be in a new classroom with new teachers. Just like at a school. We are sad to not be dropping off in his old classroom, but as he is walking and talking, it is time. He is walking like a toddler - or a drunken sailor - but his balance steadies daily. His vocabulary grows daily. Monkey now says: mama, daddy, Min, kitty, Moo, blue, Roo, Pooh, Papa, Nana, baba (Bottle), Mikey, yummy and as of the weekend - duck. He loves to play trucks, and push his large Thomas around the house. He still loves the Wiggles and Thomas, but is really into Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, Jake and the Neverland Pirates and Doc McStuffins when we watch TV. He is curious about everything. He has even started asking the question "Why?".

As for me, I have a to do list a mile long, and I don't usually get to sit down until 9:30 or so every night. I am tired, and some times I want Mommy alone time.... or to read a book. But I don't want life any other way.

Take Me Out to the Ballgame...

Being from Massachusetts means many things. First, "R" doesn't really exist in our vocabulary.  "Wicked" is a word frequently used. You are used to traffic. September brings all the college kids who don't know how to get around the city. Fall means Patriots games on Sunday. Winter means Celtics and Bruins. But Spring and Summer are dedicated to the Red Sox. You knew who Yaz was before you could walk. And at some point in your life you will make your inaugural visit to Fenway Park.

Fenway Park is a religious experience for Baseball fans. Friendly Fenway, is what many opposing teams visitors call it, because (unless you are a Yankees fan), we are a pretty decent group of people. One time Mr. and I became friendly with a couple sitting next to us. Turns out they were Cubs fans who were told that Fenway Park was an experience they had to have. They made the trip to Boston just to come to the game. They knew no one on the Sox except Ortiz, being that the Cubs were in a different division, and things were changing for the Sox. We were able to help them out. Having always wanted to see Wrigley Field, we talked about the two parks and the curses (ours had been lifted 2 years prior) that plagued our teams. We ended up buying the couple a drink and chatting in between innings. We sang Sweet Caroline and when the Red Sox won, we heard Dirty Water.

When you enter through the gates and onto the concourse, it is not as fancy as many of the ballparks today. Sure, they have spruced it up, but it is still the same old Fenway. But then you walk up the walkway and into the stands. That first moment that you look out onto that field.... it takes your breath away. It is like a first kiss from a very attractive man. You get those excited butterflies in your stomach. You smell the grass, the beer and the popcorn. You see the field. At Fenway, you always seem so close to the field when you walk out.

My first trip to Fenway took place in July of my Sophmore year of college. (I was too cool to be seen with my parents when they took my brother and sister to a game when I was in Middle/High School.)  I had purchased tickets to the college student game. It cost $5.00 for college students and I was really sad when it was rained out. It was scheduled for July and I took the day off from my summer job to go. I took the train downtown. I was alone, because the people who were going to go with me lived in other states or had to work. I remember getting there early, grabbing a program, and going into the park. I grabbed a soda and Fenway Frank (fully loaded of course) and headed up the ramp. The sights and smells hit me at once. It was like I described in the paragraph above. The hairs on the back of my neck stood up. I brought a Happy Birthday sign for my favorite player, Nomar Garciapara. Not only did he come over to talk to me as I stood on the first base side. He signed my poster and posed for a photo. (Which CVS later botched while developing. I lost the whole roll.) I was in heaven. Because it was a rain game, I was allowed to stay in a seat about 5 rows back from the first base line. I chatted with the usher, a really sweet elderly man who ended up sitting next to me and enjoying the end of a game. And man was it a game! Nomar hit 3 home runs and the Red Sox won! I even ended up on the broadcast with my sign.

Little did I know that Mr and I were both at the same game. We didn't know it at the time, but later we would joke about how that day was too early to meet each other, fall in love and get married.

Even now, walking up into the stands from the concourse sends shivers down my spine. I was in the same ballpark that my grandfather would sneak into with his buddies in the thirties when he couldn't afford a $0.15 ticket. My Grampy took my mother and uncles to Fenway to catch games. I went there with Mr. on a June night to boo Barry Bonds, who had just been outed as a steroid user. There was so much history here. Not just sports history, but family history.

Today marks the 100th Anniversary of Fenway Park. The first game took place April 20, 1912 and was won by the Red Sox who were playing the New York Yankees. (Then known by another name.) They won 7-6 in extra innings. Today, the Red Sox and Yankees meet again. As is right. The greatest rivalry in the ballpark's history is renewed.

Fenway is not going anywhere, and I am glad. I can't wait to take my little Monkey to his first game. I can't wait for him to cheer for his favorite player and help him make a sign. I can't wait to share popcorn and buy him his first Fenway Frank. And, if the ballpark is still there, I am looking forward to taking my future children and grandchildren there. There is nothing like seeing a child and their parents enjoying time at the park.    

Fenway Park on Opening Day 1912:

Fenway Park Opening Day 2012:



Today... Fenway will honor the past, present and future of this amazing ballpark. And yes, my former crush "Nomah" will be there and I will be watching.  

Happy 100th Birthday Fenway, may we all look so great at 100. 

Can you believe...

This is my 10 month old.

His hobbies are crawling, pulling himself up, getting into things he shouldn't, playing with his little people invisible plane, and petting our cat. He enjoys the Wiggles and going to school. He also enjoys the sandbox. Good thing Summer is on the way!

Springtime is here.... Can we all be well now please?

So they always say the first winter is the worst...or at least that is what I was told.

I never imagined that winter would start with two hospital stays and end with one really long hospital stay and two ear infections, three colds, allergies and a sinus infection.

Really? Karma needs to stop being a ... well you know.

In the last month since I wrote my post on meeting the Pioneer Woman; our household has been more like a house of the infirmed. I was in the hospital for two weeks and then home for another week battling a case of Irritable Bowel Disease. Then Monkey got a cold which turned to an ear infection. Mr. got the cold from Mikey and he got an ear infection and sinus infection... and me.. I am now battling with my allergies.

Seriously. I have had enough. This needs to end now.

Me 'N Ree... An Accidential Country Girl meets an Accidental City Girl

So last night a co-worker and I went to the Brookline Booksmith/Coolidge Corner Theater to see Ree Drummond.... better known as the Pioneer Woman. It was fabulous. I kept my car at the office and the co-worker (who works part time) picked me up and off we went.... the mile down the road to the bookstore and the theater.


Prior to the book signing, we had tickets to hear her speak about her life on the ranch at the Coolidge Corner Theater. She talked about sun in and meeting the Marlboro Man and her lovely children. She even sang "Endless Love" to photos of her adorable pup Charlie. She was as down home, lovely and funny as we thought. And... She is GORGEOUS. I want to look that fabulous after having four kids. It ended to crazy applause and people beelined for the door.


Since the book signing was open to the public, they were lining up in the store while she was talking, which meant we had a wait in front of us. I went into the store while my co-worker held our place in line. I got 2 copies of the new cookbook (one for each of us) and her autobiography "High Heels and Tractor Wheels" for me. I got back in line with my friend and we waited... and waited... The line stretched around the corner and down the street. Finally we made it inside the store. It had been about an hour and a half at that time. The line in the store was up the center aisle and around and back down to the back. She took a moment to meet everyone and she chatted with people. We got up there after another hour and twenty minutes or so. By then my phone died but the sainted co-worker took a picture with her phone. Me 'n Ree. A moment trapped in time.

I talked with her a little about kids and about Monkey. I told her that I read her whole blog while on bed rest awaiting the birth of my son. To which she replied, "You must have been sick of me!" My response: "I was sick of my bed!"

After my co-worker saw her and got her book signed, we waived goodbye to Ree and left the bookstore, not envying the people behind us in line. We had waited almost 3 hours and every moment of that was worth it.

After that we went and grabbed a slice at Upper Crust and I was returned to my car at work. I made my way home talking with Mr. the whole ride. I would have loved to read the book all night, but the alarm rings early on Fridays and I was back in Mommy mode - making bottles and getting ready for the next day.

Today, despite being exhausted, I am in a super cheerful mood. Last night was much needed and super fun.

Memories...

A good friend of ours went into labor yesterday and all the memories of my own labor and birth come back to me. All the pain, panic and the delight and pure honest love a mother has for her new baby. I suppose it is the same for every mother.

Last night while Monkey slept, I crept into his room (as I often do) to watch my little man sleep. It seems like yesterday I was laying his small body on my chest and covering him (and I) in a blanket post surgery. Now he is 30 inches or so and sprawled across his bed in his sleepsack that he is growing out of faster than I can replace it. He is active and smiles when I walk in the room. Now he tries to blow me kisses. He never needed to smile to tell me he loved me, that love connection was made the first moments we saw each other.

That friend had her baby this morning, and what a cutie he is. I can't divulge names right now, but I know that her heart is bursting with one of the greatest loves a person can have. And that makes me happy.

I am so happy for these friends.... We got married a month apart and we live down the road from each other, so hopefully, our boys become friends. I know they are going to be amazing parents.

Daycare just called...

Apparently Monkey really coveted the Ritz crackers that his friends were having. The teacher asked if he could have one.

"Of course" I said and hung up the phone.

Then I realized it... Slowly my baby is growing into a little boy.

It made me want to cry.

Maybe it is just the lack of sleep...

So, I was on my way to work this morning and I heard it again...an argument about banning children from restaurants.

Now, don't get me wrong, I understand the desire to have a nice quiet meal and that SOME children mess that up. But when I tell you this whole "kid free" thing pisses me off, it is the understatement of the year. We take our son to restaurants to teach him how to act. And he acts well or we go. It is as simple as that. But people seem to want to punish good families for what bad kids have done. And that is not acceptable and not fair.

When we go to a restaurant, we bring baby food, milk, and something for him to play with. When we walk in it always happens... we get a dirty look from someone in the restaurant. A look that says "how dare you bring your child here?" We ignore it and sit down and our son happily eats his puffs and plays with his toys. Occasionally he will look around and flirt with the table behind us. He is good as gold and if the dirty look people leave before us, I will shoot them a dirty look of my own.

I also don't appreciate going to a restaurant and being seated as far away from everyone as possible. We don't have a disease, we have a kid. Kids happen. If they didn't then there would be no one to leave the world to when we go. Exposure to social situations need to happen; otherwise we will potentially be left with a generation of socially awkward kids.

I am going to go on the record here. If a restaurant we go to EVER institutes a kid free rule, then it is the last time we step foot there ever. I shouldn't have to call a babysitter last minute or have to plan when we want to go to a restaurant instead of cooking.

Sorry, just the entitlement of people sometimes really gets to me. It is a PUBLIC place, and like it or not, my family is part of said public. Institute your kid free policies if you don't like it, I guarantee you that there are many parents like us who won't give your restaurant our hard earned money anymore.

My Sleep Apnea Journey...

In December I was in the hospital with Pneumonia, and it was there that the nurses thought I was sleeping oddly. My follow up with the pulminologist touched upon my sleeping problems that I have had since I was pregnant. (Getting 8 hours and feeling like I got no sleep at all, feeling sucked of all energy, stuff like that.)He suggested I get a sleep study done, because all my issues seem to lean toward sleep apnea.

So I set up the appointment, and I started to notice more about how I slept, as well as how I was feeling. When I met with the doctor, he said he was 99.99% I had sleep apnea, but we needed to do the sleep study. Two weeks later, I did the sleep study and now I wait for my follow up appointment next week.

I just have to say - I am sick of having no energy. I am sick of not feeling like I am getting any sleep. It is very frustrating when I am too tired to play with my son. Today I feel like I am dragging and I felt completely zapped of energy after the zoo. Last night Mr. followed me to the bedroom because "I looked drunk".

The treatment:

1) I could have that lap band surgery and that will help me lose weight and that may fix things. -- First off, I am not super overweight. Second, that is MAJOR surgery. Not something I really want to do. Also if I have another child, I would have to have surgery to have the band adjusted/taken off.

2) C-Pap machine~ This is the reasonable one of the two. I would have to sleep with a machine helping me to keep my airways open. This would give me a better nights sleep, and that would give me more energy to exercise, and that would give me some weight loss. Sure it would take longer, but this way definitely works.

I will chronicle my journey here... besides the pictures of the cute baby.

The Big 30 - The day the frozen earth melted!

My Birthday was yesterday and for the first time in my life it was warm. As a kid, I can't even begin to tell you how much I hated a winter birthday. In fact now, Mr. and I are going to aim all of our kids for that Spring/Summer Birthday. No kid deserves a blizzard ruining their birthday.

So weeks ago I earned a comp day at work, and decided to take the day off. I figured that I would take Monkey to the Children's Museum and we would go to lunch or something.

Then I saw the weather report... 60 degrees? I instantly thought that we should do something fun and outdoorsy.

Then it hit me. This winter birthday gal wants to go to the zoo!

And zoo we did my fair readers. There is a little zoo in Attleboro Massachusetts called Capron Park Zoo, and it is perfect to go through if you have a 8.5 month old. It took about an hour to travel through (not rushing) and had a petting zoo with llamas and goats!




Monkey gets up close and personal with the goat.

They also had a big run through sprinkler area for the summer and a bunch of swing sets. They also had a little area with those rides that you would see outside of Roche Brothers or Stop and Shop. The ones that cost $.50. Monkey loved the jeep with the giant ape sitting in the passengers seat.



So needless to say, the trip was successful, and a great and memorable birthday was had.

I even made a white cake with homemade strawberry frosting... I just need to work on that frosting technique....cause it came out all soupy! But Mr., Monkey and myself sat around it and sang happy birthday. Mikey was fascinated by the candles and the hats and the blowers! And as usual, My boys spoiled me rotten.

Dear Monkey....

Dear Monkey,

It is hard to believe that you are 7 months old! You astonish me everyday with how much you have grown and how smart you are getting.

All I have to do is sing "Good morning to you" and you wake up all smiles. And at night, once the long day is over; all you need is a snuggle, story, and the good night song to set you off to the new adventures in your sweet dreams. I love watching you. It is crazy, but every move you make fascinates me. I am still in awe that your daddy and I created something so insanely wonderful.

I don't get to spend every day with you like I want to, but sending you to school and letting Grandma watch you two days a week was one of the smartest things I have done for you. Watching you play well with others and trying to share toys is so cool at such a young age, and it makes me one proud Mommy.

Someday, when you are older, I will yearn for these days back. I always wish I had more time with you when you were a newborn. I love each and every moment and memory we make. That is why I always have a camera and I am always taking pictures. Your smile is infectious and your belly laugh is adorable... especially when I copy your movements. For some reason you find that so funny!

This weekend we are going to family movie day for daycare. It is your favorite tow truck in Cars 2. You think Mater is so funny and you lie on the floor and laugh at him when we show you a short. I don't know if we can last a movie, but the money goes to the school and your little girlfriend and your buddy are going to be there, so worst case you guys can roll around and play. We are also going to do some finger painting, which you are great at. It is supposed to snow, so we may go out to see the snow.

Life with you is amazing. It is all your daddy and I could have hoped for. We hope you know what a blessing you are, and how incredible our life is because you are in it.

Love,

Mommy

The Holidays with a 6 Month old... Or How My House Turned Into Santa's Workshop.

The holidays have come and gone and they were magical. It was fun to be a family on Christmas morning and open gifts together. (Monkey liked eating the wrapping paper.) It was fun to see him react to each new toy. He also thought it was funny when Mommy hugged her new Kitchenaid Artisan blender.

After the present opening though... the boy looked like this.

But when he woke up he was excited to play. We weren't home for too long though. We were soon off to Grandma and Grampa's house for more presents and dinner. Then off to Nina and Papa's for dessert and then presents.

As always, we did our stocking's on New Years and welcomed the new year with Grandma and Grampa in the morning and with more family in the afternoon. All in all it was fun and hopefully next year we can do more, like go to see the lights at the local shrine. (Health permitting, of course.)

Happy New Year everyone! My resolution this year is to enjoy the time I have with him this small. He is growing so fast!