This past weekend, we had a meeting of the toddlers - HMB met a girl he has heard about (and met once) as well as seen videos of, for about a year now. The girl is my friend Melissa's niece from NYC. For this post, I will call her Brooklyn Niece or BN. She is nine months older than HMB and has more personality than most actresses!
After a softball double-header (of course), me, Chris, HMB, and my mother in law headed over to Melissa's house to hang out and have dinner. But really, Melissa and I were there to see HMB and BN interact! Since we all know HMB has his own personality, we were interested to see how they did together. HMB doesn't go to day care and we haven't been able to go to our playgroup for awhile, so the only kids he interacts with on a regular basis are the kids in the gym kids center (which is about an hour and a half, pretty much Mon-Fri).
When we arrived, BN had just gone down for a nap after an afternoon spent at the waterfront in DC. HMB had not had a nap at all so we finally got him down...and waited for them to wake up and let the fun begin. Despite BN going down for her nap first, HMB was the first the awaken after only an hour of napping. He was in an OK mood, not really that great but I've seen worse! Brooklyn Niece woke up, her parents went into the room (where she was SO NICELY sleeping in a PacNPlay). She told them she "needed a minute". AWESOME! So she stayed in the PacNPlay until she said "I ready" and they came in and got her.
The first few minutes of HMB and Brookyn Niece was precarious, to say the least. BN sat in an arm chair with every possible toy and stuffed animal (including HMB's favorite, the stuffed Cartman doll from South Park). She was playing hard to get! I sat with HMB on my lap at the kitchen table and he started to fling the place mat off the table onto the floor. Brooklyn Niece laughed. He did it again, she laughed again. Brooklyn Niece said "You're so funny, HMB" and the ice was broken!
The rest of the evening was spent with HMB staring at Brooklyn Niece in awe as she serenaded us with a lovely rendition of Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star at dinner, and mimicked my husband when he talked to HMB. A good time was had by all!
After reflecting on the evening and talking to Melissa about it, nine months is a big difference, as far as verbal development goes. Brooklyn Niece was singing full songs, HMB can say a lot of words but just started to string two together (No more). But they had a great time together, mostly involving HMB gazing in wonder at Brooklyn Niece's energy and spunk! And HMB attempting to show off a bit with some of his own stunts - he had to win the lady over somehow!
Hopefully we will spend more time with Brooklyn Niece in the future!
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
HMB Takes Manhattan
HMB and I headed up to NYC this past weekend to visit a couple friends from college. The trip was a definite success, beginning with an early departure on Saturday morning (we had a wedding Friday night). HMB slept for the first two hours, we stopped for the breakfast of champions - coffee (for me) and a chocolate milkshake (for HMB). We made it to the city in about 4 hours and had the whole day to enjoy!
We headed to a park near my friend's apartment and HMB had a great time playing in the water (and trying to drink it off the ground) and just running around. At one point, he attempted to play basketball with the grown-ups.
HMB proceeded to nap for 3 and a half hours, until 6:30pm! I normally would never let this happen but I figured HMB would be able to hang late night after that nap. We headed downtown (my friends lives way uptown on the West side) for some Tasti D Lite and fun. HMB loved his yogurt treat, of course, who doesn't love TDL?
I have to admit we didn't do any sight seeing or anything else that most people would find too exciting. We did some "shopping" at Duane Reade, CVS, and Walgreens. And by shopping, I mean we chased HMB around the stores in search of random items. HMB was the luckiest of us all, he got an Elmo (aka Baby Crack) doll and book. We stopped in to visit with my friend's brother in law and adorable nephew. OK, look at the time, it's 10:30pm and we are all a little crabby - HMB because he needs a new diaper and he is tired, and us because we haven't eaten dinner yet. A quick stop at the grocery store and we were on our way back uptown.
Sunday was nice and relaxing, even though HMB woke up early despite his late bedtime. We took him to breakfast at the place we always go to and he packed away a spinach and mozzarella omelet, toast, and some potatoes! After hanging out for a bit, we headed up to a cocktail party (ok, it was more of a gathering of a few people but it involved cocktails). HMB did very well even though the party was held at an apartment that was not baby proofed whatsoever. I think I spent much of my time moving items like candsticks, electronics, and glasses off the table. BUT, HMB was great, he placed with my friend's nephew, ate some cheese and grapes, and charmed the guests.
After saying our goodbyes, we started our journey back home. HMB again did well, napped for awhile, ate some M&Ms (it's true people, chocolate is a good travelling treat) and got home. OK, we actually went straight to the gym so I could run off some of the cocktails and Tasti D Lite we ate over the weekend. Although, let me point out that we did not eat out at all except for our breakfast and we all had egg white omelets with veggies (and cheese). BUT, champagne was brought out to toast my friend, CLC, who just finished nursing school and starts her job next Monday.
All in all, I think we enjoyed our weekend. It was nice to catch up with dear friends, and just get out of DC for awhile (DC, you know I love you). HMB had so much fun and loved being the center of attention (as well as playing with all the fun stuff my friend had, including her computer and wine glasses). He was a good babe, though, and I see many trips to NYC (and other places) in our future!
We headed to a park near my friend's apartment and HMB had a great time playing in the water (and trying to drink it off the ground) and just running around. At one point, he attempted to play basketball with the grown-ups.
HMB proceeded to nap for 3 and a half hours, until 6:30pm! I normally would never let this happen but I figured HMB would be able to hang late night after that nap. We headed downtown (my friends lives way uptown on the West side) for some Tasti D Lite and fun. HMB loved his yogurt treat, of course, who doesn't love TDL?
I have to admit we didn't do any sight seeing or anything else that most people would find too exciting. We did some "shopping" at Duane Reade, CVS, and Walgreens. And by shopping, I mean we chased HMB around the stores in search of random items. HMB was the luckiest of us all, he got an Elmo (aka Baby Crack) doll and book. We stopped in to visit with my friend's brother in law and adorable nephew. OK, look at the time, it's 10:30pm and we are all a little crabby - HMB because he needs a new diaper and he is tired, and us because we haven't eaten dinner yet. A quick stop at the grocery store and we were on our way back uptown.
Sunday was nice and relaxing, even though HMB woke up early despite his late bedtime. We took him to breakfast at the place we always go to and he packed away a spinach and mozzarella omelet, toast, and some potatoes! After hanging out for a bit, we headed up to a cocktail party (ok, it was more of a gathering of a few people but it involved cocktails). HMB did very well even though the party was held at an apartment that was not baby proofed whatsoever. I think I spent much of my time moving items like candsticks, electronics, and glasses off the table. BUT, HMB was great, he placed with my friend's nephew, ate some cheese and grapes, and charmed the guests.
After saying our goodbyes, we started our journey back home. HMB again did well, napped for awhile, ate some M&Ms (it's true people, chocolate is a good travelling treat) and got home. OK, we actually went straight to the gym so I could run off some of the cocktails and Tasti D Lite we ate over the weekend. Although, let me point out that we did not eat out at all except for our breakfast and we all had egg white omelets with veggies (and cheese). BUT, champagne was brought out to toast my friend, CLC, who just finished nursing school and starts her job next Monday.
All in all, I think we enjoyed our weekend. It was nice to catch up with dear friends, and just get out of DC for awhile (DC, you know I love you). HMB had so much fun and loved being the center of attention (as well as playing with all the fun stuff my friend had, including her computer and wine glasses). He was a good babe, though, and I see many trips to NYC (and other places) in our future!
Thursday, July 15, 2010
HMB and the City
HMB and I are taking another road trip, this time to NYC! I am a little nervous about HMB and the car ride, since Chris is not coming with us so there will be no one to sit in the back and keep HMB entertained!
We are heading up to visit two good friends of mine from college, one of whom LIVES in the city and another who is driving down from Massachusetts (or I think she actually lives in RI). Anyway, after college, they both moved to NYC and we have had many, many good times in that crazy city.
As we exchanged e-mails discussing the trip, I started to think about how different it would be with a toddler. We weren't exactly clubbing it up back in the day, but our visits usually involved margaritas, wine, 3am subway rides, and an assortment of random encounters with strange people. I can imagine this visit will be a little different...but GOOD different! I e-mailed my friend and said, "I think it might be weird because I have a BABY!". And she said we are all different now and it might be weird but it will still be fun. And of course she is right!
I read another blog post recently of a friend from high school and she talked about how good friends can live far away from you and you might not talk to them very often, but when you DO see them or talk to them, it's like no time passed at all! I am fortunate that although some of my friends live far away (MA/RI, NYC, CA, and now the UK) I feel this way about them all! I can pick up the phone, send an e-mail, or pick them up from the airport and we can pick up where we left off!
I am also very lucky to have good friends who DO live close by, thank goodness! That doesn't mean I can't try and convince the ones who live far away to all move here! Maybe not in the 100 degree humidity that is the DC summer...Ha, ha!
Anyway, I hope to have fun and exciting stories to post after the weekend all about HMB and the City, to include some good food and probably some margaritas and wine even WITH an HMB!
We are heading up to visit two good friends of mine from college, one of whom LIVES in the city and another who is driving down from Massachusetts (or I think she actually lives in RI). Anyway, after college, they both moved to NYC and we have had many, many good times in that crazy city.
As we exchanged e-mails discussing the trip, I started to think about how different it would be with a toddler. We weren't exactly clubbing it up back in the day, but our visits usually involved margaritas, wine, 3am subway rides, and an assortment of random encounters with strange people. I can imagine this visit will be a little different...but GOOD different! I e-mailed my friend and said, "I think it might be weird because I have a BABY!". And she said we are all different now and it might be weird but it will still be fun. And of course she is right!
I read another blog post recently of a friend from high school and she talked about how good friends can live far away from you and you might not talk to them very often, but when you DO see them or talk to them, it's like no time passed at all! I am fortunate that although some of my friends live far away (MA/RI, NYC, CA, and now the UK) I feel this way about them all! I can pick up the phone, send an e-mail, or pick them up from the airport and we can pick up where we left off!
I am also very lucky to have good friends who DO live close by, thank goodness! That doesn't mean I can't try and convince the ones who live far away to all move here! Maybe not in the 100 degree humidity that is the DC summer...Ha, ha!
Anyway, I hope to have fun and exciting stories to post after the weekend all about HMB and the City, to include some good food and probably some margaritas and wine even WITH an HMB!
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
Obsessed
HMB is obsessed with the refrigerator! We will be playing in the family room and he will casually walk into the kitchen and point, point, point to the fridge! Sometimes I do open it for him. He looks around, takes out a yogurt (even if he JUST had one) and usually plants himself on the little shelf at the bottom.
If I am in the kitchen cooking dinner, HMB will venture in and wait until the moment I open the fridge to get something out and pounce! He likes to re-arrange the salad dressing, taking them from the door to the little ledge mentioned above that he sometimes sits on. Occasionally, HMB will attempt to climb up the shelves in search of milk and other fun items.
I try hard not to let him play in the fridge, knowing how much energy he is wasting by having that door wide open! Secret confession time: when he is playing in the fridge, I am free to make dinner (for 5 minutes) without having to hold HMB, or give him a cracker, or keep him from pulling my shorts/pants down (a new favorite, only at home thank goodness). So I do sometimes relish those 5 minutes and let the door stay open...
Since HMB also has a "transfer Goldfish crackers and veggie chips from one Tupperware container to another" obsession, I can usually distract him away from the fridge. But anytime he is in the kitchen with me and I have to get something out of the fridge, I am very aware of little hands flying out in order to stop the door from closing so he can have his salad dressing party!
If I am in the kitchen cooking dinner, HMB will venture in and wait until the moment I open the fridge to get something out and pounce! He likes to re-arrange the salad dressing, taking them from the door to the little ledge mentioned above that he sometimes sits on. Occasionally, HMB will attempt to climb up the shelves in search of milk and other fun items.
I try hard not to let him play in the fridge, knowing how much energy he is wasting by having that door wide open! Secret confession time: when he is playing in the fridge, I am free to make dinner (for 5 minutes) without having to hold HMB, or give him a cracker, or keep him from pulling my shorts/pants down (a new favorite, only at home thank goodness). So I do sometimes relish those 5 minutes and let the door stay open...
Since HMB also has a "transfer Goldfish crackers and veggie chips from one Tupperware container to another" obsession, I can usually distract him away from the fridge. But anytime he is in the kitchen with me and I have to get something out of the fridge, I am very aware of little hands flying out in order to stop the door from closing so he can have his salad dressing party!
Thursday, July 1, 2010
Sick and Sleep
The title of this post is exactly what I feel like I post about! My poor HMB went from the stomach bug/flu to a bad cold. Monday and Tuesday, HMB seemed like he was on the road to recovery, he was eating well, drinking his milk, and overall being a happy HMB. Wednesday morning was all right but I noticed the runny nose. OK, could be the teething, since that damn molar still hasn't popped out yet (I suppose it's waiting for the other 3-5 to make an appearance!?). Then the cough started. It's all very familiar since HMB has this very same chest cold just about every 4 months.
With the cough comes even more sleep issues than usual. HMB had been going down in his crib with little trouble (minus the days of the stomach issues). But with a cough, forget about it. I know how I feel when I cough so much that my throat hurts and my eyes water, I can't imagine how tough it is for a toddler who doesn't really understand what's going on!
I called the doctor just in case, since HMB has a history of pneumonia and may or may not have asthma. Of course the nebulizer we bought when he did have pneumonia isn't working! I finally called the manufacturer about it and they were very nice. They suggested a couple things then told me I could bring it back to where I bought it and figure out if I needed it fixed or exchanged. I brought it today and it seemed to be faulty tubing. I also realized I have been putting the medication in the wrong way this whole time and I think I busted the filter! Ah, this poor kid just needs a breathing treatment! Hopefully tomorrow I will get it all figured out. They also suggested warm apple juice (HMB refuses, he doesn't like juice, go figure) and nasal spray.
Anyway, hopefully it will pass soon. I will say that HMB took THREE naps today! We woke up at 6am, he napped in the stroller while I jogged at 9:30am, another nap at 12pm and one more (very short) nap at 3pm! The kid MUST not be feeling well for him to nap three times in a day!! Here's also hoping that I have a more upbeat post in the near future!
With the cough comes even more sleep issues than usual. HMB had been going down in his crib with little trouble (minus the days of the stomach issues). But with a cough, forget about it. I know how I feel when I cough so much that my throat hurts and my eyes water, I can't imagine how tough it is for a toddler who doesn't really understand what's going on!
I called the doctor just in case, since HMB has a history of pneumonia and may or may not have asthma. Of course the nebulizer we bought when he did have pneumonia isn't working! I finally called the manufacturer about it and they were very nice. They suggested a couple things then told me I could bring it back to where I bought it and figure out if I needed it fixed or exchanged. I brought it today and it seemed to be faulty tubing. I also realized I have been putting the medication in the wrong way this whole time and I think I busted the filter! Ah, this poor kid just needs a breathing treatment! Hopefully tomorrow I will get it all figured out. They also suggested warm apple juice (HMB refuses, he doesn't like juice, go figure) and nasal spray.
Anyway, hopefully it will pass soon. I will say that HMB took THREE naps today! We woke up at 6am, he napped in the stroller while I jogged at 9:30am, another nap at 12pm and one more (very short) nap at 3pm! The kid MUST not be feeling well for him to nap three times in a day!! Here's also hoping that I have a more upbeat post in the near future!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
