Field Trip!

Of all the memories of childhood, perhaps my most melancholy is missing my first official field trip at the end of Kindergarten. Bummer, right? I think it was to see a play about The Swiss Family Robinson or something like that. I had chicken pox (thanks to my sister) and was out for a week or so in May just when the trip was planned. I know I was upset at the time, but really what stayed with me over the years was the sense that I missed this great traveling opportunity. I know, I know. I've more than made up for it with my adventures around the world since then. But it's funny how those childhood wounds work their way out when you have a child of your own. Am I bound and determined to make sure Elisa never misses out on a school trip? Probably. So far she has had two field trips with her preschool class and I've been able to go on both. Am I living vicariously? Maybe. But I wouldn't miss it for the world. This week we were able to hop a school bus (Elisa's first!) and take a trip to the Queens County Farm Museum which has played host to our previous fair excursions. It's a fun place to visit any time of year and this November day it was surprisingly mild. Apple pressing, a hay ride and farm animals to see...what's not to love?

And yes, at the end of the day we were rewarded with a taste of freshly made apple cider. By the speed with which Elisa downed it, I'd say it was a hit. Or she was really thirsty. Field trips have a way of making you squeeze the goodness out of life, right?

Gobble, gobble, gobble

Every Thanksgiving I'm reminded of all the things I have in my life to be grateful for: a wonderful husband and family, some pretty awesome friends and now two amazing daughters. Life is sweet. But it's also a lot of work which is why it was nice to join our friends Molly and Ronan at their place in Astoria for an evening of eating and relaxing while the kids entertained themselves. As usual, Molly's meal was fantastic and her pies always the highlight. The lady can cook. But more than just good food, going there has always felt like a home away from home. Theirs was the first apartment I ever stayed at in the city way back in October 2000 when Nacho and I made our first trip here together. It's a welcoming spot with good ambience and a unique character--just like the people who live there. We have photos of Elisa's first Thanksgiving in the same dining room so taking Carolina there was like a holiday tradition. She ate, slept and ate some more. Elisa and Jude get on so well together these days. Almost too well. I went back to check on them and found them climbing up on an old crib and jumping off onto a mattress on the floor. They were having a blast, but I found it easier not to watch. They kept at it for hours and no injuries! And Lochlan seemed perfectly content to watch the big kids play. It was total harmony while the rest of us noshed and talked. What a wonderful night...

The rest of the weekend was equally enjoyable if low key, and a definite highlight was the 60 degree weather. You can't beat sitting outdoors enjoying the sunshine with friends for Thanksgiving weekend. We managed to visit our park and take the girls out for a while before heading back to nap. It's the perfectly synced family nap that always recharges my day. I know we have fun all together, but it's sleeping that really binds us. Ahhhh, those sweet, sweet naps. I'm thankful for so much these days that sometimes my eyes tear up with gratitude. I know I am lucky or blessed or whatever you call it. I can feel it. Of course, some days there's still plenty to complain about and I can always find something I want to change. But really, deep down I know I have it pretty good. This family I've created brings me so much joy. And I get to be with them full time. These are the years I will remember when I'm back sitting at a desk, rushing to and fro in the city. These are the days to pause and give thanks and sit back and smile. What a rich life we have.

Babble

Carolina enjoying a little one-on-one time with me in the morning.

Donut run

This morning I was craving donuts. Okay, maybe it started Saturday night. But anyhow, I thought it would be a perfect morning to take a little run to Brooklyn and try Peter Pan Bakery's selection of glazed goodness. I'd heard wonderful things about this place, and I wasn't disappointed. We made it there in less than 15 minutes, found parking and I had a fresh dozen after only a brief wait in line. Elisa grabbed hers first (she couldn't wait to get back in the car) and we sped off to our local park. It didn't take long to find some friends to share with and before you know it, the box was suspiciously empty. After that we said goodbye to Papa who had to work in the afternoon. We stayed and played a little longer and then walked home dropping off Leonardo and Myla first. Sometimes this helps get us that much closer to home without too much effort. But after their 10 minute gigglefest and "dino dancing" my girl was not happy to part. Nothing made her happy in fact. Maybe it was the sugar crash? I don't know, but the next 30 minutes were torture. We inched home with Elisa complaining and crying, stopping and sitting on nearly every block. I tried to cajole her, calm her and then command her. Nothing was working. I was losing it. By the time we finally made it through the door she was sobbing, Carolina was waking with hunger and the screams only got worse. Ugh. How did the day take such a turn? On film this was a perfect Sunday morning. But in reality it felt like I got no credit for the awesomely inspired donut run. Oh well, I suppose that's life. Some day Elisa will beg me to take her back and I'll have to think about it. Maybe next time I just sit in the car alone and eat them. Yeah, that sounds good.

Almost there

This week we've really turned a corner on the potty training front. Like big time. Elisa has been wearing her big girl panties since Monday and we've had only two accidents that I can count. Of course, she's still in the pull-ups for naps and bedtime, but today it was dry post-nap and I told her that's pretty awesome. She seems to be loving all the positive reinforcement which is finally helping push us that much closer to fully trained. I'm not sure what exactly triggered all this except that we've had several poop-filled pull-up disasters lately that kind of sent me over the edge. I know the experts say not to make a big deal or shame kids about their toilet training (or lack thereof), but I have to admit I think a little shame went a long way. We also finally linked using Papa's iPad to using the potty and even watching TV after a particularly bad accident and since then it's been much easier to convince Elisa to at least sit on the toilet. She went to school all week long in her panties and only had one minor leakage issue on the way to the bathroom. At home I've kept asking her to use it, but when she declines, I let it go. So far, she's been coming to me when she has to go and today we made it out to the park and back with no issues. Carolina, on the other hand, had an explosive diaper while we were sitting in the sunshine at SGP. It was my first time changing a messy one there and it was no picnic. But at least I remembered back up pjs and so all was not lost. With Elisa, I think there is suddenly a pride in using the potty and we even sent Papa a photo text of her big poo the other night. "Mom, it's a carrot!" she exclaimed while peering over the turd floating at the back of the bowl. Sure kid. Whatever floats your boat.

Your daily dose of cuteness

Can I just tell you how much I love these babies together? Separate they are adorable, but man, put them together and they are A-D-O-R-A-B-L-E. As if we needed any reason to call Birdie and Jasper over for a play date, today was cold. Not bone chillingly cold, but not out of the 40s. Ugh. Cold, dark winter is coming. But today we had fun letting Birdie and Elisa run wild around the apartment while Carolina and Jasper rolled and chewed and played on the bed. Makes the afternoon fly by and the routine gets broken up just enough to be tolerable. One more day down. Now how many more til summer?

School Pictures

Photo courtesy of Captured Moments by Shubhra

at Amazing Magic Beans Preschool

Oh, this girl. Here is Elisa in her first school picture. So grown up and yet not. In three years of blogging about her life, there's been no shortage of photos. The girl knows how to turn and smile and give the camera something--usually a bit wacky and fun. But somehow seeing her through another person's lens is eye opening. Here's my daughter out in the world doing things and making friends and all of it without me. It's so refreshing. Of course I have an interest in seeing a glimpse into this new world, but mostly I just want to know that she's there, behind school doors having a good time, learning from her environment and making social connections to the kids she will grow up with. And so far, I think she's accomplishing that and more. On Monday of this week we had another first--our first parent-teacher conference. I wasn't sure what to expect since it's not exactly like Elisa has been very forthcoming with information about her school days. I can usually tell from her clothing if she's painted, and I always ask about breakfast and who she played with. But otherwise, it's a bit of a mystery. So hearing from Mr. Al about how her days go and what activities interest her was another chance to be part of her new routine. He summarized:

Elisa is a wonderful Eagle who loves dramatic play. Elisa dresses from a doctor to a construction worker to a police officer. Elisa has also been doing a great deal of big- sister role-playing in the classroom. Elisa walks around with the stroller and her little purse and enjoys her work-time. Elisa also does work in the studio and the art table often creating artwork for her mommy and her little sister. We are working to grow her interests by putting new materials into the classroom that can allow her to deepen her exploration of being a big sister while giving her new ideas for dramatic play scenarios. Elisa is also excited by the musical instruments in the music are and has begun working with other classmates to create rhythms together.

All of this sounds about right for our very dramatic girl. She's been talking and singing and making up stories about her stuffed animals and dolls for a while now so the role-playing goes right into that. It's also true that she loves music and Mr. Al commented that she really likes the drums at school. What I didn't know and was a bit surprised by was how often she's asking for me and asking when I'm coming to get her. I suppose it's partly because I'm the one who's always around when Nacho takes off for work. I'm the rock, so to speak. But given how independent she is at home and when we are out and about at the park or just going for a walk in the city, I'm kind of shocked that she seems so insecure and clingy. I guess there's a real three year old inside there after all. We've had our battles lately and sometimes I feel like I'm getting nowhere with her stubborn refusals. But I guess it's important to take off my mom goggles every once in a while and see Elisa with fresh eyes. She is still a girl who needs me, even if she's learning to do more by and for herself. It's not easy to appreciate that when it feels like she doesn't want my help and won't listen to my advice. But we're getting there and school has been a big boost.

This is it

So many things are different this time around. I've documented some of the major stuff already: the pregnancy, labor and the fact that Carolina is a quiet, patient baby who seems to sleep and eat without all the fuss and craziness that Elisa brought upon us in her first three months. But really, I can't explain how much more I'm enjoying this girl as a baby. Sleep will do that for you. It's made me kind of sad though to think about how depressed and irritable I was with Elisa as an infant. It really wasn't her fault, but damn if it didn't feel like she was trying to kill me most of the time. Sure there were a few good days and moments here and there. But I went from the euphoria of bringing home a newborn to the dark and lasting fog of sleep deprivation and colicky madness in a flash and it was a long road back to the light. With Carolina, things are just smoother all around which makes everything better--some of which is because of my parenting skills but the rest is all her. She's just an easier baby all around. And even when there's annoying stuff like waking in the middle of the night to feed or unexplained bouts of crying (thankfully rare these days), I don't take it personally. It's the best she can do and that's good enough. This time I fully understand that everything is a stage and these months are already whizzing by me. Having said all that though, I'm still at a bit of an impasse. I think we're done nursing.

I wasn't sure how long I would breastfeed this time around. With Elisa, stopping around month 3 and switching to a hypoallergenic formula calmed all of her tummy issues within a matter of days. It was like I had a new baby--one I might actually like. But this time, Carolina had no problems with the mechanics of feeding and her very minor tummy issues faded after a few fitful newborn weeks. Nothing crazy, just the settling of her system and then we've been all green lights since. It's been a great run, but still I think I'm ready to stop. I know in this breast-is-best culture it's hard to stand up and say you don't want to breast feed anymore. Doctors recommend a year, most friends have gone well over 6 months and then there are the few still comfort nursing toddlers. It's a boob, boob, boob world. At least that's the way it feels sometimes. And that's all wonderful for moms and babies if it's making everybody happy. But for me, I can now say that even without a fussy baby, I'm ready to move on. I want to take the timer off my chest. Three hours...ping. Here we go again. It's a demanding schedule no matter how long you do it. Don't get me wrong--I've loved nursing both my girls and felt that deep connection to them straight away. And I'm truly sorry for anyone who wanted to nurse but couldn't. But after a few months of it, well, the magic is kinda gone. It's just chow time and honestly I'm tired of being the sole provider. So this time around I started weaning little by little. It wasn't the complete pull-the-plug-NOW move that I made with Elisa which effectively weaned her in about 3 days. No, this time, I'm taking it slow. But I'm definitely on my way. And I can tell I've made the right choice for us because Carolina is still a happy camper sucking those bottles down and I'm loving the break. Having Nacho give her a few bottles this past week has been such a joy. I've been able to cook and bathe Elisa and just carry on without feeling like I need to be two places at once. And no, I don't pump. I borrowed one the first time around and hated it, so this time I didn't even consider buying one. I just...I guess I feel like I've given this little girl a good start and it's okay to quit while you're ahead. I've made some meaty little thighs and I'm proud of that.

One more day...

Even if this is the last glorious day of the year at Sunnyside Gardens Park, I could definitely say that we took full advantage of our time there this year. It was our second year of membership and it was truly my saving grace this summer as I trudged pregnantly along hoping to get Elisa out of the house and give myself a break to catch up with other moms. It's become second nature to go there most days when the sun is out which is why the early darkness and colder weather has me already dreading the long winter ahead. Hopefully, we'll have a few more days to enjoy it, but this one for sure was well spent. After we got Elisa from pre-school, we met our friends for a little pizza picnic. The sun was out and the temps near 70 degrees. The kids all lined up to eat (for a while), and the babies enjoyed being out in the fresh air without all those fleecy pjs on. It was heaven.