Wednesday, June 29, 2011

Beachin' it

Sometimes you have the best ideas and they just don't come off so easily. For years now, we've been meaning to make use of the Long Island beaches nearby and it just feels like the summers evaporate before we get there. Case in point, our first visit to one was last September and it was a brief exploration of the area before we hit the outlet mall on the way home. So today we decided to try again and returned to Robert Moses State Park about an hour away. It's a relatively clean and well maintained beach area with a pretty nice crowd of families and well behaved teens for a weekday afternoon. Elisa fell asleep for all of 20 minutes just before we pulled into the parking lot, but she didn't take long to stir once she heard we were at the beach. She was so excited to get out and play in the "sand box." Oh, my city girl...
It was a gorgeous day for the trip and the water, although a bit on the cool side, didn't feel too terrible. Nacho and Taylor both joyfully jumped in and assured me it was fine. But this preggo lady was sitting out the waves today. Some risks you just don't need to take when you're 8 months pregnant, you know? And as much as it pained me to sit on the sidelines, it was fun to hang out with Elisa and dig around in the sand and keep her entertained in the knee-high waves. There weren't too many shells around and I would definitely still give North Carolina high marks for low population density, but it was all around an enjoyable beach day. Oh, except that they ran out of ice cream at the concession stands before we left. What?? Elisa didn't take too kindly to that news, but she was distracted enough with fatigue to get in the car and chug some Coca Cola instead. So off we drove to grab a late lunch and make it home just as the rush hour traffic was beginning to pile up. I'm still shaking out the sand from our towels and bags, but hey, that's what summer is for--hitting the day hard and coming home exhausted and amused by all that you've done.

Sunday, June 26, 2011

Pier to pier

After all the rain and gray skies this week, it's been wonderful to have a few days of sunshine to get out and enjoy the sights. Yesterday it was Central Park and today we opted to head to the East River, starting at LIC's Gantry State Park and continuing on down to the Brooklyn Bridge Park area. Having only been to Gantry one other time, I couldn't really remember what the playground was like and I have to admit I was a bit disappointed that there was no water feature. It looked like an area with sprinklers was under construction or repair, but in today's bright sunshine and heat, a little mist would have gone a long way to cooling us off. So after about 40 minutes, we jumped back in the car and took off for Brooklyn. Taylor hadn't been to that borough yet, so it was a great excuse to show her the bridge up close and personal...
There's so much water surrounding us in the city, and yet, most days, it doesn't feel like we're right on the ocean. Even in Chicago I feel more like I'm at the beach, but somehow New York still retains that quintessential concrete jungle vibe. So sometimes it's nice to just go and sit and stare at the water and all the people enjoying the riverfront. Today was a bit overcast later on, but that didn't stop the crowds from gathering and enjoying the lazy Sunday afternoon. Now that the weekend is over, we're gearing up for a big week showing Taylor the city. I try to avoid all touristy stuff on Saturday and Sunday since there's no point doing the same thing everyone else is doing when you have free time during the work week. We've got a list whittled down to some of the NYC highlights, but I'm always at a loss to think of more ways to maximize each day. Hopefully with Nacho home a bit more, we can take off and do some evening outings as well and leave Elisa with Papa. Since as great as it is to see New York by day, it really shines at night when the skyline just comes alive with lights and color. Now off to bed to rest up...it's going to be a nice, hot finish to June!

Friday, June 24, 2011

Two girls, one city

This week has been a cool lesson in what happens when you see into the future. Having Taylor, a 17 year old, around makes me eager to share the sights and sounds of the big city with her as if I were a teenager again. But of course, I'm not. I'm a heavily pregnant 36 year old with a preschooler who still naps. Oh, yes, the joys of being housebound every day so you might eek out some peace and quiet and get a cranky girl to rest. Even when I attempt to forgo the nap, Elisa proves it's difficult to go an afternoon without one. Case in point, we went into the city the other day around noon and headed to Union Square for some park time and lunch. Having accomplished both those goals, we started walking towards Washington Square Park for a little more people watching and that's when things got dicey. Elisa played for a bit on the newly improved playground before we headed to the fountain to sit. She wanted to climb in herself (a big no-no obviously), and the answer didn't set well with her. After flailing and screaming on the ground for a bit, we got her to calm down. But I could tell where this was heading. We were not going to have a good time hanging out in the city much longer if she wouldn't fall asleep. And knowing past performances in the stroller, there's no good way to predict when she will do that. So we made our way back home. And then I let Taylor go back into Central Park by herself--a big step in her self-guided touring of NYC, but you have to start somewhere...
It's easy enough to look at this young woman and see shades of myself and my own desire to travel and take off at the same age. I ventured to Europe alone at the age of 19 and made a nearly 3 month trek (with pit stops at friends' houses in Germany and Italy) without so much as consulting my parents. They trusted me and I suppose I had earned it. Who knows why, really, but I am sometimes amazed that they just turned me loose like that. Was I prepared? Can anything prepare you for your first trip abroad or to new and unknown territory? Much like Taylor's mom, Christi, my parents had never been to those places before, so the phone calls home were filled with lots of descriptions and assurances that I was being safe. And in truth, I think that's all a parent can ask for. I hope I will be that parent someday when it's my turn to let Elisa wander off into the great big world without me. It's so much easier to do with a girl who I barely know but who I can see is bursting for the chance to be her own person. Taylor is full of the confidence that only a teenager has and there's something so wonderful about seeing that and remembering that I too was the same way. I didn't get to New York City for the first time until I was 25 and I still remember feeling like I'd stepped into a movie set. It's that much fun and it's still a place I'm confident will return the enthusiasm of its travelers. So off she goes while we rest. Two girls and one city that embraces them both.

Tuesday, June 21, 2011

If I can make it there...

Most of the time I stop and think about living in New York City, I'm surprised I do. From my humble roots in Kansas City, MO, it was a long way to living in the biggest city in America. But somewhere along the way, I suppose I grew to love the hum of this vibrant place and all its unique residents. So whenever the opportunity arises to share our city with friends, I love to say yes which is how we ended up with a special visitor for a few weeks this summer. A friend of mine from middle school (yes, Christi and I were about 13 when we met--eek!) has a daughter named Taylor who loves to sing and wanted to visit NYC before her senior year to check out schools. It doesn't hurt that she's also the big sister to 4 adorable girls ranging from third grade to pre-school, so she knows all about dealing with the crazy vibes of a nearly 3 year old. Picking her up yesterday at La Guardia, Elisa was already smitten and today's tromp through Central Park and Times Square only sealed the deal...
It's somewhat daunting to plan the perfect first day itinerary for this city, but starting with some of its most recognizable features is always fun. Central Park at this time of year is a lush garden with just enough quiet walks and bustling corridors to accommodate any kind of visit. By the time we made it to Bethesda Fountain, Taylor had already joined an impromptu vocal performance earning lots of attention from nearby tourists and the critical praise of her two accompanists. It was a magical New York moment for this girl from Kansas who hadn't been in the city more than a few hours already. And with any luck, it may turn into a gig this weekend for some tips since they were eager to have her come back and sing. No matter what happens, it's certainly a great way to meet the city and to live the mantra of that old classic "New York, New York." If you can make it here, you can make it anywhere. True, true.

Sunday, June 19, 2011

Father's Day from afar

This year we're missing out on all of the fathers in our lives. Nacho is finishing his last week of training in St. Louis, and it's been a while since I saw my own dad in North Carolina. And our last visit with my brother-in-law was early April, so men are few and far between these days in our household. But it's true that there's something about the balancing power of the men we know, especially fathers, that helps keep all this estrogen in check. Not that I'm going to blame women for being overly emotional, sensitive creatures (not us!) but whenever I see Elisa rough housing with her Papa, I realize all over again that their relationship is just different. She has such a special way of relating to Nacho that is nothing like her bond with me. It's definitely more physical, but it's also about the way they interact and how special she feels with him. You can see it in her eyes when she is really happy he's home. And lately with all his time away, she's been pulling the "I want my Papa" card whenever I get after her about something. So you know she's getting wise to the idea of Papa as savior. Oh yes. And that's okay. For this girl, and maybe all little girls, I think the relationship with their father is so critical to how they navigate later male/female roles. I know for me, having a father that I could relate to intellectually and through humor made me feel like a full fledged adult well before I really was one. It has been a relationship made richer over the years with travel and stories we've shared and I am very thankful that my dad has had the chance to know Elisa. She may not love his mustache with its scratchy kisses, but I know she pays him special attention when we visit because he is a quiet presence she respects. And with Nacho, Elisa has all of the playfulness she adores wrapped up in one juggling, teasing human trampoline. The way she climbs over his lap and stands on his chest has me shouting at the both of them sometimes, but in truth, I wouldn't change a thing. They are the perfect pair and I love seeing their love for one another. Happy Father's Day to all the men I know, and especially those I'm missing today.

Wednesday, June 15, 2011

Keeping it cool

Without a doubt, summer is here. Even though the temperatures cooled off a bit this week, the abundant sunshine, trips to the kiddie pool and daily doses of ice cream were all welcome treats. Some days I find that I'm more excited to get out of the house than Elisa is, but still we persevere. And usually by the time we get there, Elisa's fully on board and then doesn't want to leave. The pool at Sunnyside Gardens Park has been particularly tricky to navigate since it's not something I want to commit to every visit, but it is a nice alternative on a blistering day. And when I'm not warning other kids to stop shooting water pistols in each other's faces (or mine), I'm pretty relaxed there. One boy yesterday made me want to bring my own Super Soaker gun next time so I'd have some leverage when I ask him to stop. Yeah, unfortunately not all parents at the pool are as keen on helping keep it a fun place for smaller kids. But luckily, Elisa seems to do alright avoiding the rowdy boys for the most part. Have I mentioned lately that I'm thrilled to be having another girl??
And speaking of...I only have 7 more weeks left before I should be welcoming this newest addition. I'm really starting to feel like this pregnancy is finally coming to an end and that life is in that weird pre-upheaval stage again. It's a nervously exciting time, but also one you wish would pass quickly and just get on with it already! And as soon as I say that, I know I'm in trouble because I'll be wishing I could sleep in til 7:30a.m. and take hour-long afternoon naps in the next few months. But the other part of me wants this new life with our family of four to start as soon as possible just to finally have that completeness that I've been dreaming about since this baby was imagined. It's hard to describe, but I remember a post on Dooce.com where she talked about having her second child and feeling like, this is it. Our family is whole. And that's what I'm really excited about as we approach the big day. Having this new baby, seeing Elisa as a big sister and knowing that it's all come together. And in the meantime, summer is bound to keep me busy and full of activities, if I can just hang in there...

Sunday, June 12, 2011

Scream Therapy

Ah yes, my sweet adorable girl. Why is it that as we get closer to three, the tantrums have suddenly taken on a life of their own? At first I thought it was Nacho's extended absences this spring and now for training. Then I thought maybe she was getting overly tired or too much sugar or who knows what else. But lately, their intensity has taken me by surprise and I cannot find the patience I once had. I lose it. It's just too much for this achy pregnant momma to bear. I caught this video snipit at the end of a good 2-3 minute rant which found me stuffing Elisa in her crib more for her own safety. Later when I let her watch it, she seemed shocked but somehow amused by her own distress. During one of these spells, she flails around on the hardwood floor (and throws things at me when she's being particularly nasty), so the crib seems the best option until she regains her composure. But now that she has her new bed, she doesn't take to the crib kindly. We'll have to work on other places for timeouts, but for now, I try to let her flop on the floor until she isn't safe. And sometimes, I find that the screaming only gets worse the more I ignore it, although yesterday one episode stopped after about 5 minutes of me washing dishes and ignoring her completely. Once she snaps out of it and begins to breathe again, she usually apologizes or at least reiterates what she wants (if it was over a dispute). In fact, her reflectiveness and sweet apologies have become something I especially appreciate because at least I know she understands why her actions are not acceptable. But other times, I'm just left baffled and fried without any idea why she's flipping out. My nerves shot over a bout of screaming that seems so unnecessary. I really don't know what to expect when there are two screaming girls in the house, but something tells me I'm going to appreciate those baby screams in a whole new light. So much less manipulative and innocent. These on the other hand, I can do without.

Wednesday, June 8, 2011

Big girl bed update...

So just as I expected, we've had a few hiccups in our big girl bed routine this week, but nothing major. After a stellar first night and first nap in her new bed, Elisa fell out of it the second night and tried her best to skip a nap altogether the next day. After doing our best to reason with her about staying in the bed for the nap, she was returned to her "baby bed" crib for the remainder of the nap. Let's just say that wasn't a hit. I know she was tired and cranky to begin with but the extra insult of being labeled a "baby" was too much for her. The tantrum fireworks really came out that day and she finally collapsed in a heap in her crib and slept for 2+ hours. Battle won. Fortunately, after that we had a little chat about why she got put in there and how if she didn't stay in her bed, she would be sleeping in the crib again. So what did my very literal girl do the following morning? She stayed in bed and called for us like old times. When we opened the door, she asked, "Can I get down now?" Oh, honey, of course you can. I love that she took that lesson to heart, though. Since then we've talked a bit more about the fact that she can get up AFTER she wakes up whether it's nap time or the morning. And mostly that's working. She hasn't dared to get out of bed again, but she also called me to come in after her nap today. The joy she exudes when she's sitting or jumping on her bed is so much more grown up than I could have imagined. It's really a little sense of ownership, that this bed is hers and that somehow she's big enough to have earned it. And that just makes me smile.

Sunday, June 5, 2011

Success all around...

So this week marked the beginning of our Sunnyside CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) share which we pick up just a block away. We tried this out last summer with a couple of friends and this year we were eager to return to the organic way of life with our weekly veggies and fruit share. Part of what I love about this neighborhood is that things like this are possible and that we have the good fortune to have friends who share in the fun. I remember feeling a little overwhelmed with all the greens each week, but there is also something cool and unique about having to discover what these new veggies are and finding recipes for them. As much as I love farmer's markets (and ours returned this Saturday as well), I have to confess I window shop a lot more than I buy. So the CSA thing is kind of forcing me out of my comfort zone with a little encouragement--like being on Chopped with more time and the internet to guide me. My first inspiration for a dessert of the season came from the gorgeous rhubarb I found in the box. Mixed with a quart of strawberries I already had, I was able to make this divine Strawberry Rhubarb Crumble which did not disappoint.
Perhaps that bit of sweetness was my reward for finally picking out Elisa's big girl bed. It's taken me the better part of 3 trips to IKEA to weigh the pros and cons of different options: go with the toddler bed for another year or two, buy a full out twin bed now, or get the best of both with an extendable frame? If Elisa had her way, she'd be sleeping in the pink plastic bed that always seemed to beckon her from the showroom. It was the only bed she really liked climbing into, but of course, I had already settled on white for her room, thanks very much. So finally this week, with Nacho home a few days and ready to assemble whatever I picked out, I made a decision to go with the extendable Minnen bed. It's got the roomy width of a twin but can be shortened for a while longer until we really need that extra foot or so. And speaking of that, before I forget to document it, we measured Elisa again recently on the wall chart we started this winter. Amazingly, this girl has grown exactly two inches since February 15. Two inches in four months! I'm hoping that's a spurt and not a trend, but who knows with her. Maybe that's why she looks so grown up lately. And just as I'd expected, once it was in her room, Elisa fell in love with the bed. Mostly because she wanted to jump on it...
And while we're checking off the list of things accomplished in June so far, I can add bottle-free to the mix. Yes, finally. I don't think I fully appreciated the struggle that it would bring or the latent guilt I would feel about her being so dependent on her milk in a bottle to soothe and comfort her. For almost a year and a half, I'd been toying with how to get her to drink milk out of a sippy since she had no problem with taking other drinks that way. But this girl was stubborn and it always ended in me pouring the milk back in a bottle after hours and even days of a stand off. And bedtime routines have been heavily dependent on her drinking a little milk which always made me skittish to change them. But little by little, we've narrowed that down and she finally seemed like she might take the bait and drink out of something "bigger." As in a "big girl bottle" which is exactly what I called the pink princess and dragon sippy I found at the store the other day. I bought it, like I'd done so many times before, with the idea that this would be the catalyst for change. And this time it was. She protested mildly for her bottle, but once I really dug in and started telling her how this was a bottle only for big girls like her, she was hooked. It's been a week of nothing but smooth sailing and no bottles. How I love not washing those damn things.
Yesterday we spent the better part of the afternoon at SGP at our friends Kristin and Patrick's family birthday bash. The kids all had fun crafting away while we noshed on a smorgasbord of Greek-themed dishes. It was a beautiful day for it and so we tried our best to let Elisa run out her nap time. But eventually, all things must come to an end. And so it was with Elisa. By about 4:00pm, she just couldn't do it anymore and her tantrums were getting out of hand. After throwing a fistful of gravel at me, and landing a few pieces in the cakes, I made the executive decision that this family outing was over. Half way back home, she was asleep in the stroller, and stayed down for another 2 hours. It was just one more sign that the more she changes and grows up, the more we have to guard some of those routines of her babyhood. And napping, for now, is still firmly a part of that. Thank goodness today she dove right into her new bed and fell peacefully asleep. That means we're two for two sleeps in her new bed with no problems, and she wakes and comes out of her room with the biggest grin on her face. It's been a good start to the month so far.

Wednesday, June 1, 2011

Waterworks!

With Memorial Day behind us, most of our local parks are now officially ready for summertime which usually means finding the sprinklers on during these hot days. The weather really took a jump to the hot side today with highs in the 90s so we spent the first half of the day outside splashing around. The great thing about the water being on is that it keeps Elisa in a central place where I can sit back and watch her from the shady benches. At least that was my strategy for beating the heat. Dragging her away from the fun (and her new friend, simply called "girl") was another story. But we made it home in time to rinse off, eat lunch and take a nap before 3pm. Whew. That's a lot of work for a little bit of fun...