A Life to Call My Own

Is anyone left?

2010-10-04T21:50:00.000-04:00

If there's anyone still reading this, please accept my semi-sincere apologies for ignoring blogging this summer. I wish my excuses were my extensive jogging regimen, making wildflower art with the kids, or serving my friends exquisite cuisine al fresco. But instead it was work, travel, work, and serving some burnt burgers in the backyard that seemed to fill my days. And lets face it, after a day at work who wants to come home to...more time on a computer? That's why I have HBO!

So really it the temperature drop that you have to thank for my trimphant return. After a whole week of no air conditioning we are ready for the furnace. And ready for a roofer, thanks to an unfortunate meeting of our decades old roof and record setting rainfall. The one who showed up today viewed the damage to our guest room and...left. Just left. Hard to believe that this is a terrible economy when I can't even keep a guy around long enough to write him a check.

Anyway...onto the zoo that is our house! Gabe turned FOUR in July and has really matured physically (he's tall!), verbally ("that is a really interesting and beautiful sunset, mommy"), and behaviorally (at least on occassion). He also apparently has a shellfish allergy which we discovered after a trip to the ER last week. And our boy has become quite the homebody - his absolute favorite place to be is home, and you have to really bribe him to go anywhere. Except when it rains, because for some reason he equates rain to Chuck E Cheese's opening hours. This could be my fault, as I vaguely recall a promise during the long drought that was our summer that we would to see Chuck when it rained. Damn kid's mind is a steel trap. Anyway, his 2nd year of "big boy school" is going pretty well, with the big news this week being that HE GOT HIS OWN WORKBOOK. Okay, I don't really know what that means (are workbooks normally reserved for AP math?) but how he told me definitely required all caps.

Riley Roo on the other hand is not quite so verbal (everything is Da-Da, except "shoe" and "bye"), but miss thang is eating me out of house and home, with most of that food ending up on her hair. In the summer we'd just hose her off**, but now her yogurt deep conditioning treatment is requiring an average of 2 baths a day. I love being clean, but who has that kind of time? I barely have time to use a hairdyer more than once a week because I'm too busy giving Riley baths. And don't get me started on lipstick. But I digress. Riley is a huge daredevil just like her brother -- she will climb on anything and would put any 3 year old to shame how she can walk up and down the stairs. And she and Gabe really get along because a) he loves to make her laugh, and b) she loves laughing at him. And its so perfectly adorable to watch, except that what sparks her best laughs are lots of splashing in the tub. I'm talking on-the-ceiling and in-the-hallway spashes. Which makes the twice daily bath ritual all the better. Making me wonder if that hairdryer of mine even still works?

So that's my big update - just living life! We're very busy, but very happy. And being busy is no excuse - I updates more often! And no, Megan, this is not just because my birthday's coming up.

** Best quote of the summer was when I hosed her off after she spread cupcake from head to toe, and Gabe said "When you're done watering Riley, can you push me on the swing?" Love it! My Riley plant!

Touchdown!

2010-07-06T23:02:00.000-04:00

Overheard in Crossnore:

Gabe (kicking a soccer ball): I scored a home run!
Jackson (7 year old cousin): Gabe, that's called a goal. A home run is football.

Overheard

2010-05-22T22:49:00.000-04:00

Three funny stories to share from this week!

1) Riley and I were playing yesterday with some animal toys. "Which one is the giraffe?", I asked her. She took her time, inspecting each one, then picked up...the giraffe! SHE IS BRILLIANT! Next up, "Which one is the elephant?". She took her time, inspecting each one, then picked up...the giraffe again! Repeat for the next 4 animals.

2) Ryan was tearing out the bamboo that keeps growing in our backyard.
Gabe: "That's sure is a lot of bamboo. We need some pandas back here!"

3) Gabe was having some trouble staying in bed at night - getting up 4 or 5 times each night. Exhausted, I started bribing him with easter candy: he could have a chocolate bunny for breakfast if he stayed in his room until 6:30. Tried for 4 nights, didn't work. On night 5 I brought out the big guns and promised Chuck E Cheese if he stayed in bed. That's pretty much the worst night out a parent can imagine, so you know how desperate I must have been. But the next morning he stayed in until 7 - wohoo! - so I started talking up our trip right away. "But mommy!" he cried, "what about my chocolate bunny??"

If Only I Cooked...

2010-05-22T17:26:00.000-04:00

After 3 years of talking about it, we finally got new countertops and backsplash in our kitchen -- and it looks just awesome! Oh, and I almost forgot about the copper sink -- which is not featured here as it is filled to the brim with dishes -- that Ryan spent days researching and ordering. Some day you may see that on here as well - but don't hold your breath.

Flower Market 2010

2010-05-22T17:02:00.002-04:00

Okay, so it has been over a month since I posted. We're busy people! But actually the reason is I lost my camera charger. And by "lost" I mean it wasn't right beside my camera. And when something isn't exactly where it should be I use that as a pretty just excuse to procrastinate because finding the charger wasn't on my to-do list -- blogging was! And this ridiculous rationale is exactly why I never get anything done.

But I digress. Flower Market - now 2 weeks ago - was once again a highlight of the spring. Only this year there wasn't a monsoon the day before so we enjoyed it sans muddy shoes and feet. Ah, the small victories.

Florida pics, round 1

2010-04-12T22:14:00.001-04:00

Overheard

2010-04-12T22:12:00.000-04:00

Announced to entire US Airways flight to Florida:
"It's a good thing there's a bathroom on this airplane. Otherwise we'd have to go poo poo on the floor".

Happy Easter!

2010-04-04T19:57:00.000-04:00

Gabe is in N.C. this week having a blast with his grandparents and cousins, so Riley Roo had a large and unaccustomed helping of Mama and Dada for Easter! We had a delicious pancake breakfast at church, and since church we've just enjoyed the sunshine.

Here's hoping everyone had an equally relaxing weekend!

Kids? What kids?

2010-03-19T22:20:00.000-04:00

So I'm in some trouble for having too posts about non-kid parts of my life lately. And I realized I never mention my job (and if you're a dooce.com fan you know why), the new class I'm taking (Photoshop at DCAD...no results to show just yet), the classes I normally take (Toning at the JCC...no results thanks to my post-workout cool down with Ben and Jerry), or most importantly, the TV I watch. And TV is just really an extrememly important part of my life, so I'm actually quite surprised about that one. WE ARE SO MARRIED.

Anyway, so to pacify those who are interested in the goings-on of the under-4 set, here you go!

Gabe is really amazing us with all that he can absorb and understand at such a young age. He knows his letters, numbers to 100, all the planets, continents, and states - and for the latter knows some fun little detail about each one (and is EXTREMELY disappointed when we don't know anyone in a state, so if you have any friends in Kansas please introduce me). And his so-grown-up vocabulary is simply hilarious. Hearing "Hmmm...I suppose we could go there for dinner", or "Excuse me, Mama, but I really need to talk to you. It's very important.", or "I think I'm just having a bad day" couldn't be funnier coming from someone in dinosaur pajamas and a Pull Up.

But as much as he wows us with his smarts, we are completely overwhelmed with his ability to talk back, throw tantrums, cause injury and chaos, and generally make you want to head for the hills. Today for example we went to see "Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile" at the Dupont Theater and went for lunch with friends afterwards. In the mere 45 minutes we were in Quiznos, he a) flung 14 oz of apple juice all over himself, me, and about 20 square feet of table and flooring, b) had to potty twice, c) threw a tantrum because the paper towel in the bathroom ripped, d) threw a tantrum because he could only have 1 cookie instead of 2, e) received a spanking, and f) ran away from me despite threats of another (e), fell, and scraped his hands. I actually had high hopes for this particular outing, but all it did was make me want to head back into the office. Forever. It's a good thing he's knows those states.

Riley is developing a mind of her own as well, but luckily can't talk back yet! She has a few words, namely MAMA!, uh-oh, and dadadada, and is such a happy girl she spends at least a few hours a day clapping. But the weather has put us outside a lot lately where Riley sees all the mulch, rocks, and acorns and thinks: lunch! It matters not how many times she hears NO or has this stuff fished out of her jowls, she is undettered: there WILL be a rock in that diaper. Stay tuned.

Is Applebee Systems Sexist, or Just Stupid?

2010-03-11T22:26:00.000-05:00

In this bad economy, it seems that everywhere I turn I read about how small businesses are struggling to keep on workers and stay afloat. And if you look at the numbers the economic downtown has hit Wilmington doubly hard. But it seems each time I have tried to hire someone for a home improvement the exact opposite has proven true. I mean, it took me six months to find someone to put in a 5 foot long fence! But yesterday took the cake. We signed up for a few window replacement estimates at the Delaware Home Show last week (air pours in the windows in our 100+ year old home) and so our phone has been ringing all week with contractors calling to offer estimates or confirming appointment times. Last night I was scheduling one appointment, and after 10 minutes on the phone during which I confirmed a) that I work, b) that we have 13 windows on the ground floor alone (cha-ching!), and c) we're interested in started work right away, the gentleman from Applebee Systems explained that he looked forward to meeting my husband and I on Friday afternoon - and could I confirm that my husband would be there too? Actually, I replied, my husband would be out of town on Friday but not to worry, I would be here and I'm the decision maker for these kinds of things. (Let's face it: I could replace every window in the house, as well as all the furniture and probably the children and it would take poor Ryan at least a week to notice. Love him, but he's not into the details!) And the man actually said - YES RIGHT HERE IN THE YEAR 2010 - said that he would need to reschedule so that my husband could be there. And I confirmed, let me make sure I understand you, your company will not come to my house and give me an estimate unless my husband is here. At which point the gentleman from Applebee Systems, knowing that IT IS 2010 should have explained why on earth that could possibly be their policy, but instead just said "yes, ma'am, that is correct". And I literally gasped, then calmed myself, and explained that I could not consider doing business with them. And again, this person had the opportunity to regain his footing on this extremely, dangerously slippery slope, but instead HUNG UP. Which makes me thing that some small businesses are probably deserving to go the way of the dinosaurs.

Best Friends

2010-02-22T21:27:00.001-05:00

This weekend Gabe picked up the phrase "best friends". I first heard it last night when he very sweetly announced that "Rory is my best friend. She's my favorite!". I prompted called his mom and we started wedding planning (ok, not really) but I did email her about this cute little revelation.

Well, apparently Rory offended her amigo because he came home from school this morning announcing that Tyler and Julian, his buds from school, " are my best friends. They're my favorites!" This time I held off on the wedding plans to see if this new found affection would last.

My suspicions were spot on. Tonight Gabe announced to Ryan and I: "I love you guys. You're the best!" Sweet! I thought. Mommy is now the best friend! All the blood, sweat and tears are worth it! But he continued with "But Riley is my best friend. Well, Riley and Rory. I sure like the girls!". He's fickle, but hysterical!

Rooster Roo Turns One!

2010-02-22T10:49:00.001-05:00

Pure Bliss

2010-02-18T22:03:00.001-05:00

Most wonderful smelling lotion in the world: Bliss Lemon Sage Body Butter. I discovered it in NYC at the W Hotel, where Bliss Spa is located on the ground level and provides the room toiletries. For over 3 years I was too cheap to buy it, so whenever friends and collegues would stay there I would con them into turning over their samples. Sad but true. Finally it occured to me to ask for this for birthday and Christmas gifts and I finally bought my very own bottle with my very own money. I know, I sound like I'm 12.

New Obsession

2010-02-18T21:47:00.000-05:00

Today I'm going to start a new section of the blog: products. Here is where I will link to things that are particularly useful, fun, cool, cheap, or just unusual and that my friends and family might like as well. Your credit card can thank me later!

Today: GOODNITE LIGHT

This is a clever little contraption that I saw an ad for in a Parenting magazine. Apparently I wasn't the only one, because it was sold out for a while after that. But eventually I crept through the queue and my beloved light arrived in the mail. It's essentially a timer/clock for little kids. when the moon turns blue, it's bedtime. And when the sun turns yellow, it's time to get out of bed. Presto! No more 5am wake up calls! Goodnite Light: $40. Sleeping until 7am...shit, you know what I'm getting at. Stop complaining about your kids waking you up early and GO BUY THIS.

MORE snow

2010-02-14T20:44:00.003-05:00

So after the initial dumping of 2 feet on the ill-equipped streets of Wilmington, on Wednesday we got another foot or so. Here are some more pictures - it's been pretty fun but after 10 days of it we're ready for a nice warm rain. No suck luck though - we're instead supposed to get another 3 or 4 inches tomorrow!

Other than snow, ice, and a little too much time inside with the kids (one word: Candyland), there's not much to report. Last night we went to a friend's for Game Night and had too good of a time, meaning a very hungover Valentine's day today. But the day started with red velvet cupcakes and ended in deep dish pizza, so no complaints! Tomorrow I'm off for President's Day and plan to spend much of the day getting ready for Riley's first birthday party. It's hard to believe this time last year I was 38 weeks pregnant!

Bear Royalty

2010-02-07T16:28:00.003-05:00

Unless you've been under a rock you know Delaware and the rest of the mid-Atlantic got buried in snow this weekend. Our official totals are around 21", but there are some serious drifts so in some places it's up to my waist. And that's the last time 21" and my waist will be in the same sentence.

Anyway Gabe has his first slumber party on Friday when our neighbor's kids spent the night. That plus all the snow day snow play has given me plenty of pictures to post, so I uploaded the slide show to Flickr. Enjoy! Oh, and in case you are wondering, it's not a snow cave, or a fort, or a tunnel that Gabe and Ryan built, but a BEAR CASTLE. Grrrr....

Latin Fusion

2010-02-01T21:01:00.001-05:00

We tried this new Mexican place near our house tonight, only to learn it was not "Mexican", but "Latin Fusion", which means "overpriced Mexican" in Spanish. The food was delicious, though, and Riley got to try plantains, avocado, refried beans, some weird cheese, chicken sopa, sea bass, blueberries, and french fries - and of course she loved them all! This girl will seriously eat anything. And tomorrow I'm going to try hot chili peppers just to prove it! Meanwhile Gabe was impressing our teacher-turned-waitress with his "panish", words like pappas fritas, sopa, pollo, and trinkle. Vamanos!

Milestone #2

2010-01-30T22:08:00.001-05:00

Riley has tooth #3! Her first two are on the bottom, but #3 is a fang on top. This is seriously NOT a good look. For her sake I hope more come in soon!

Milestone

2010-01-30T17:38:00.001-05:00

After showing no interest in stairs for...ever, Riley boldly followed her brother up an entire flight of stairs today. And I fear this is the beginning of the end.

Funnies

2010-01-30T17:30:00.003-05:00

Had a few great Gabe-isms so far this weekend that I had to share:

1 - I've been out the past 2 nights with friends, so Gabe asked me at lunch today "Mommy, are you going to eat dinner with your friends tonight?" AHHH, THE GUILT!

2 - Ryan was working on the ceiling fan in our room and told Gabe he needed to figure out how to fix it. He left and then came back with his toolbox, and Gabe asks "Are those tools you use to figure it out with?".

3 - I put him down for a nap this afternoon and we talked about the different things he could dream about: the waterpark we went to yesterday, Dora, big boy school, etc. "No", he said, "I want to dream about my mommy, because you're the best mommy in the whole wide world." Then after big hugs and kisses he casually mentions,"I'm still hungry. Can I have a treat now?" Guilt, innocence, flattery -- this one knows every play in the book!

Goat

2010-01-26T22:07:00.003-05:00

Little Riley is 11 months old now - amazingly - and is quite the eater. She loves pasta, vegetable soup, brownies, apples, and pretty much anything else she can get in her mouth. Her absolute favorite thing to eat, though, is paper. Newspaper, junk mail, pages from books and magazines, subscription cards, toilet paper, napkins - you name it and if it's made from wood pulp our little Rooster considers it a delicacy. Which makes our mess of a house the #1 Supreme Buffet!

The big news though is that Riley is walking! If taking 2-8 steps a day is considering "walking", that is. Then again, if my mixing up a box of Kraft mac & cheese is considering "cooking", then Riley is indeed walking! Mazel tov!

In other news, we have a new nanny Rebekah and she is fabulous! I came home to this sign the other day - a great welcome home! And proof that he indeed gifted! At this rate he'll be updating this blog in a few months - so watch out!

Ode to Aunt Megan

2010-01-26T21:48:00.001-05:00

Megan, Megan, you are so pretty
Because of you, this blog I cannot quitty
Gabe loves you and Aunt Todd the best
Even though you live so far north and west
An update this is, though fit for peasants
So now my kids can get Valentine presents!

Oh Christmas Tree

2010-01-02T19:50:00.002-05:00

Happy New Year! We rang in 2010 all a-snooze (like all the Who's) but we hear there were a lot of good parties for people who can stay up that late!

This year we made our annual trek down to N.C., and then to Florida. The trip was quite interesting to say the least, and perhaps best expressed in a short quiz:

Which of the following happened to the Welshes on their Christmas trip?

a - US Airways lost their luggage
b - An ice storm caused a 3 day power outage, so there was no heat, water, phones, or power at the Garland house for Christmas
c - The power outage made us unable to charge our cell phones, and there was no reception anyway, so we missed the calls from our angry neighbors when Maggie howled all night in our absence
d - Riley woke up 3-5 times each night because she was so excited to be bunking with Mommy and Daddy e - Kerry got a stomach bug in Florida
f - We got into a fender bender on the way to the Fort Myers airport g - All of the Above

"G"ee...I wonder which it was?

But in the spirit of optimism, I won't dwell on any of these but just post a few pics to debunk the myth that one needs electricity for a great Christmas. After all, if Mary and Joseph didn't need running water in the stable, then neither do we!

Let It Snow!

2009-12-20T13:24:00.002-05:00

Along with the other 50 million people in the mid-atlantic/northeast U.S., we got a TON of snow yesterday! On the downside, all our plans were cancelled. On the upside, we had a ton of fun!

Swiper No Swiping

2009-12-18T22:16:00.002-05:00

If you're familiar with Dora (and CAN I PLEASE HAVE YOUR LIFE if you aren't), you know all about Swiper, The Sneaky Fox. He basically takes things Dora needs for her adventures, and is a terrible influence on impressionable 3-year olds. Second only to Grand Theft Auto, which is why Gabe only plays that on weekends. Anyway, Gabe has taken to "swiping" things around the house, and hiding them in sometimes obvious but usually not-so-obvious places. This is the reason I'm late to work most days: when I spend 10 minutes looking for a brush only to find it in Gabe's underwear drawer, it's understandably difficult to get out the door. At least it's a more clever excuse than being hungover again. Anyway, I was pretty darn amused to find our Christmas stockings had been swiped today. Here are some pictures of the empty mantle and where I discovered the stockings later!

Earache

2009-12-17T22:07:00.001-05:00

Poor Gabe! Last night we went to Longwood Gardens to see the lights and trees, and Gabe was cracking us up the whole time. Every tree was a "red Eiffel Tower!" or a "yellow Eiffel Tower!", instead of...um, A CHRISTMAS TREE! But then about an hour into the trip Gabe started complaining that his ear hurt. We thought it was the cold, so we went inside the cafeteria for a snack. Once inside he started crying, and once he started no amount of distraction (including a Santa cupcake with sprinkles) would make him stop. And when her big brother cries, Riley can't help but join the choir, so we got the heck out of there and high-tailed it over to CVS for some emergency Motrin and headed home. I spent the night going back and forth between Gabe's bed and mine (every 3-4 hours as the drugs wore off) and then today the doctor confirmed the obvious: ear infection. Any parent with a kid in day care will be shocked when I say this is our first ear infection, so now I know how lucky we've been! Anyway, yesterday was also Gabe's Christmas program at school, and it was ADORABLE. When I figure out how to upload video from our video camera (and not my phone) I'll post it but for now here are some pictures!

The forecast for the weekend is snow and more snow, so should be a low-key few days at home. Wish us luck!

Ho Ho Ho!

2009-12-12T21:03:00.002-05:00

Sorry for the long overdue post! We have been predictably busy since Thanksgiving, with lots of work craziness, parties, events, and...well, life. Speaking into Turkey Day, here are some pics! Gabe & Ca-Ca making a gumdrop tree! And of course I have some funny stories to share!

We were reading one of MANY Christmas books last week and Gabe was looking for elves. I wasn't sure if he knew what elves were exactly, so I asked him if he knew what elves looked like. "Of course I do" he replied, then ran to the refridgerator and took off the "L" magnet. HILARIOUS.
Today he was drinking milk out of a new Santa Claus cup, which Ryan hadn't seen before. "Gabe", he asked, "what is that your milk is in?". Exasperated, he replied "It's a cup, Daddy".
Gabe was playing with some sticky play-doh like stuff and threw it up to the ceiling, where it stuck. "Look!", he said, "it's a magnet!".
Allegedly, Gabe knows the words to "Jolly Old St Nicholas", a carol he's learning for his school program. But each time he sings it he gets stuck on the "Don't you tell a single soul..." line. "Why can't we tell a soul?" he'll ask. "WHY? Is it a secret? Why is a secret? Why?" and so on FOR FIFTEEN MINUTES. Once we get past the inquisition, we try to get him to sing the rest of the song. "What song? We're not singing, silly!"

And now for the best part. For the past week Gabe has been entertaining us with the Christmas songs he has been learning at school for his little Christmas program next week (a first! We are beyond excited for it.) This is the first time I've posted video and I'm not sure it will work right, but give it a try. It's worth the trouble!

Welcome, November! (Part Deux)

2009-11-09T21:20:00.001-05:00

This is the update I wrote but never posted 2 weeks ago:

So far November has been a much better month than October. Not only have I not turned another year older this month, but the weather has been fantastic - it's the fall we never had! This weekend we took the kids to a couple of fall festivals, but first Gabe and I went on a date to have pancakes. Now my dad usually takes Gabe for pancakes at McDonald's, so he warned me that we better not go to McDonald's or Papa Jack would be sad. What a considerate little guy!

On Sunday we tackled the leaves, leaves and more leaves on our tiny little property with the help of our church youth group (their fundraiser = our cheap labor!) and then Gabe and Ryan hit some "super pitches" in the park. All in all a great time - and now, back to the grind.

And this is today:

NOVEMBER SUCKS. Between the four of us there has been a very sick person in our house for the past 2 weeks, and now the kids have largely recovered but Ryan and I still have a hacking cough which we cleverly use to keep each other up at night.

Gabe is better physically, but the whining and sulkiness that seemed sad and thus okay during a high fever have gone to battle with the non-stop coughing for chief irritant in our house. Today he threw himself in the floor and cried for 10 minutes when I was brazen enough to ask him to put on his pants. To go see Dora. At a local toy store. How abusive of me!

Riley on the other hand, is getting more fun by the day. She is crawling at record speed and has a magnetic attraction to electrical cords and outlets of all shapes, sizes, and megawatts. She also has 2 very sharp teeth and is an adventurous eater - this week she tried pickles, broccoli and rice, mandarin oranges, and french fries. Yep, I know feeding a 9 month old french fries is pretty white trash of me, but not to worry - I only do it in public to attact maximum holier-than-thou-mommy scorn. And it works like a charm!

Quote of the week: Riley was singing loudly (is there any other way?) during one of Gabe's precious hours of TV. "Mom", he said, pointing at Riley. "Can you put her back in your tummy?"

Halloween postscript

2009-11-03T21:37:00.000-05:00

I forgot to mention that the Halloween costumes are from one of Gabe's favorite books, Ladybug Girl and Bumblebee Boy. Not only are they superheroes, but there's a bassett hound to boot!

Hap Hap Happy Halloween

2009-11-02T21:58:00.000-05:00

First and foremost, THE PICTURES ARE ADORABLE. And so adorable that I couldn't possible pick out just a few, so here is the link to Snapfish to see them all. Hope you have some time on your hands. Secondly, OUR SON IS ADORABLE. For 2 hours on Saturday night he sat on our front porch handing out candy to a crowd largely bigger and scarier than him. But that didn't keep him from putting anyone, and I mean anyone, in their place if they dared open their bag for candy without saying "Trick or Treat!". Sixteen years or sixteen months, you have to say the magic words before you got a Kit Kat from the Welsh's. Tell all your friends. But by far the funniest thing Gabe said on Halloween was telling a middle schooler: "That sure is a scary mask, man!". Is he cool or what?

Dress Rehearsal

2009-10-29T21:30:00.000-04:00

Tonight we put on the kids' Halloween costumes for the first time and I about never got them out of them. Can't wait until Saturday!

Veggie Tales

2009-10-24T21:47:00.001-04:00

Greetings from warm and rainy Wilmington! Ironically the warmest day we've had in a while (75) and it poured all day. But that's okay because we hung out all day at home, doing a lot of nothing...but also a lot of laundry and cleaning out of junk. The major outcome of all that is I finally have a home office! And while its not the coolest space, it was crafted entirely out of stuff in storage so didn't cost me a dime. Yay for recession-era decorating!

Riley-Roo is quite the oinker lately. If you met her younger than 4 months you'll recall she was a scrawny little thing, and now that's she's eating 3 squares and about a gallon of milk (formula) a day not even crawling and jumping in the bouncer can burn off the calories. Welcome to my world, girlfriend.

Gabe, meanwhile, is OBSESSED with the game Uno. And we're encouraging it because if all else fails, knowing how to play cards can always put food on the table. He started out with Thomas the Train Uno (same concept, fewer cards) and has now graduated to the real thing. And when we're not playing, which is rarely, he is counting cards, sorting cards, reading his fortune - who the hell knows - but there are Uno cards everywhere. Its kind of like the dog hair in our house, but easier on my clothes.

Some recent pictures:

House Tour

2009-10-11T19:29:00.000-04:00

Today our neighborhood was featured in the paper for a couple of reasons: first, a new park just opened here (on the site of a former eyesore reservoir) and today we hosted a home tour. Because I am glutton for punishment, I got suckered into participating which meant I spent the past 24 hours cleaning. And the results were just so amazing that I had to post them. If you have spent more than 5 minutes in my "real" house, these shots will amaze you. I mean, could you even have guessed our countertops were green? Or that there was hardwood buried beneath all those legos? What I really should be posting is what my kitchen looked like 15 minutes after the last guest left and I pulled out the boxes of crap I had been hiding and cooked dinner. Ah, home sweet home. Link to News Journal article: http://www.delawareonline.com/article/20091011/LIFE/910110304 Link to my house photos: http://www.flickr.com/photos/43448244@N03/show/ In other news, on Friday night we went to Linvilla Orchards where we went on a hayride through the "smooky forest" to the witch's house. Upon arriving Gabe yells out to the witches "Are you nice witches or mean witches?", the answer to which was a pumpkin sugar cookie so they were promptly declared nice witches. Not only did he meet his first witches, but Gabe got to roast marshmallows for the first time and picked out pumpkins for the porch, so the evening was shaping up well until we tried an all you can eat Chinese buffet on the way home. Heed this warning: if its all you can eat for under $10 and handwritten signs on the buffet warn you not to pick up food with your fingers, run away. Far, far away!

Long Overdue Update

2009-10-09T13:34:00.000-04:00

Apologies to all its been so long since my last post. Work drama, cold & flu season, a ton of travel, and computer issues have all conspired against me!

Last weekend I joined some of my S&M buddies for a weekend down in sunny Durham. Before you jump to any conclusions, remember that I went to high school at the NC School of Science and Math -- hence "S&M". In fact, this was our swim team cheer:

Ex, Dy, Dx

Ex, Dx

Secant Tangent Cosine Sine

3.14159

Physics, Bio, Polymer Chem

Give 'em Hell, Go S&M!

(Yep, I was as cool then as I am now).

Anway, its been FIFTEEN years since the S&M glory days if you can believe it. I mean, kids go there today who were Riley's age when I graduated. How depressing it that?

Okay, I have to move to another topic or I will start drinking heavily. Again.

Actually the topic of the reunion leads me to my latest revelation about Facebook. I had managed to avoid Facebook for most of 2009 but got sucked in toward the end of maternity leave. I have about 200 "friends", which is about 188 more than I have in real life. Going back to the reunion I realized I was "friends" with many people to whom, when face to face, I had absolutely nothing to say. If you saw the Simpsons Movie, imagine the scene where Lisa meets her online boyfriend. And when you can't have a 5 minute conversation with someone you chanted about pi with 15 years ago, they really shouldn't be considered your friend. Even online. So, my Facebook friend list is a little bitter shorted after that trip.

On to the kids! Gabe is really liking Big Boy School and his teacher reports that not only is he super-smart, but apparently the "hall monitor" as well. For those of you not schooled in teacher-speak, that means he's a tattle-tell. And little Riley is growing up way too fast! This week she ate several new fruits and veggies, started to crawl, and learned the alphabet. Ok, the alphabet is a stretch (does babbling a short "a" sound count?) but she is crawling around a bit which means we have entered a whole new era for kid #2. When she starts to walk, watch out for daily blog entries because I am never leaving the house!

And last but not least, here is our lovely first portrait of the two of them together. Bring on the kleenex!

Some recent pictures - finally!

2009-09-18T03:10:00.001-04:00

My-ami

2009-09-18T03:08:00.000-04:00

Cute story: Ryan pulled out a big Miami University blanket with the letter "M" on it. Ryan: Gabe, what does the M stand for? Gabe: The M is for Your-Ami!

Locked In

2009-09-13T20:11:00.000-04:00

Hello! We've had a crazy couple of weeks and my ongoing computer issues have kept me off this blog, Facebook, and my email. So if I owe you an email, bear with me! A few of our most recent adventures:

Last Saturday I was home alone with both kids, and we all got locked in Riley's room.

Quick recap: we reversed the locks on Gabe's room when he started climbing out his crib many moons ago to keep him from wandering the house at night. Gabe's room is now Riley's room, and our friend Gabe knows exactly how the locks work. So, I was in there changing Riley's diaper when Gabe walked in, slammed the door, and pronounced: "Ha! I locked us in!".

Now let me set the stage a bit. It was early on Saturday, so we were all in various stages of dress (or undress, as the case may be). I was also ambitiously re-arranging Riley's room, so everything was in the hallway except Riley's crib and a few diapers. So not only are we locked in this room, but in a barren room with little more than our PJs (me) and underwear (Gabe), and diaper (Riley) on. No phone, no food, no bottles, no tequila. Great.

Lucky for me, it was a sunny Saturday morning and not a rainy late-night lock in, so there are usually lots of folks out walking their dogs. This means I got to hang out the 2nd story window, skimpy PJs and all, until someone I recognized (and not from the steps outside the liquor store) walked by. After about 20 minutes this poor unsuspecting lady from a few blocks away, with whom I've exchanged a few polite hello's over the years, walked by. I called down to her, explained the situation, announced where our spare key is hidden, and asked her if she would very much mind rescuing us. She hedged a bit (can you blame her?) until I pulled my trump card - the naked baby.

This is where the story should end -help had arrived!- but I'm just not that lucky. She gets the key, and then a few minutes later comes back under the window explaining that not only is the chain on my door, but there's a dog inside that sounds like he's going to have her for breakfast. The fear on this poor woman's face was telling me she was going to bolt, so I grabbed Naked Baby again and yelled my next set of instructions: "Try the front door, and as soon as you're in, run up the stairs and shut the baby gate behind you so Maggie can't get you. We're locked in the first room at the top of the stairs. Oh, and watch out for all the stray furniture in the hall.". And can you believe she actually did it? If some half-naked DCFS nutcase was yelling at me in the street about killer dogs, baby gates, and chained doors I'd be on the phone with 911.

Postlude: I ran into this lady and her husband today, and she was like "This is Kerry, remember the one from last weekend...with the baby?". He was all "Oh....OH!...um....nice to meet you. Um, we have to go. Have a good one." and the two of them practically sprinted down the street. Can't make this shit up.

Other noteworthy news:

We went to Dutch Wonderland with the Galinskis on Labor Day - a risky move (Labor Day...theme park next door to outlet mall...) but surprisingly it wasn't too busy so Gabe and his friend Nathan had a blast riding rides and eating garbage all day. I have adorable pictures when and if I can find a non-company computer to upload them to. Stay tuned.
I went on my first work trip to NYC last week, for 3 full days. I would love to say it was HORRIBLE and I missed the kids EVERY MINUTE. But I didn't. Instead I acted like a real grown up, going to happy hour, eating meals after 6pm, watching non-animated television, and having hours upon hours of conversations that didn't involve words like "nap", "potty", and "choo choo". I was pretty happy to come back, but it turns out life went on without me (thanks Ryan, Beth and Ca-Ca!). Who knew?

Great quote this week:

Me (inspecting artwork brought home from school): "Gabe, I like this bear!"

Gabe: "I know, Mama. You're very impressed."

Big Boy School

2009-08-29T14:46:00.000-04:00

As many of you know, the big incentive for Gabe to get himself potty trained was so he could go to "big boy school". There, not only can you not wear diapers, but you are in a class with kids your age and up to 2 years older - big kids! So the momentous day finally arrived this week when Big Boy School opened for business, and Gabe was as excited as I've ever seen him. For those of us over 3, Big Boy School roughly translates into Montessori School which is part of our new simplified child care plan. Its a block away, so a 5 minute walk in the morning - hooray! Gabe is very impressed by the big kids and the cool new contraptions on the playground, and so far its a winner all around! Quote of the week: His new school requires a uniform of blue shorts and a red or white shirt. I explained this uniform concept to Gabe while we were getting dressed and asked him to choose a red or white shirt. His response? "Oh no! But where's the unicorn shirt?"

&*$#@ Error:

2009-08-24T20:52:00.000-04:00

So my trusty laptop, which has lasted 3 years and multiple insults from grubby little fingers, has finally kicked the bucket. Which means I find myself in involuntary rehab for my Facebook addiction. And as if that wasn't bad enough, the fall TV lineup hasn't started yet, so now I'm forced to actually converse with my husband for the hour between when the kids fall asleep and I pass out. If this keeps up I may have to go to the gym at night, and we all know it will never get that far. Best Buy, here I come. You may be thinking, wait, don't you have a computer at work? Truly I do, but while my company may not be smart enough to foresee a mortgage meltdown or an executive bonus backlash, they have cleverly blocked Facebook, Twitter, AOL, and all manner of webmail and blog sites. Which means I actually have to work or read OMG! at work. (And isn't little Maddox growing up fast?) And in non-technology news...Riley turned 6 months old this week! She has become quite the active baby and while she's not technically crawling THANK GOD she does manage to wriggle, rock and roll her way across the room while you're not looking. She's also babbling a lot which my nanny swears is "Da-da" and I swear is "aaahhhh". Gabe is back in full force after a fantastic time at my parents last week. I thought they couldn't possibly top a week spent finding bugs, picking vegetables (cucumbers: now "my favorite snack, mommy!"), playing with older cousins in the rain, opening belated birthday gifts, dining on M&Ms, and ignoring naptime and bedtime altogether...but they did. On the way home they stopped by Virginia Safari Park which is like Disney's Wild Kingdom, only $200 cheaper. The camel ATE THE BUCKET mommy! Last but not least, today my decision for in-home child care was validated by the fact that I had to take Gabe to and from the JCC for the first time since going back to work (Ryan has taken him all the other days). It took me 70 minutes to get to work, and 75 minutes to get home. Without the dropoff/pickup routine, it takes 20 minutes each way. Which means I am getting back 7 hours of Quality Time with my kids each week. Which in turn means I can put them to bed a half hour early and not feel guilty! Everyone wins! Here are some pics from the past week or two...enjoy!

Attack Dog

2009-08-05T22:49:00.000-04:00

So many of you have been asking how our sweet little Maggie is doing. To recap the latest doggie drama, Maggie was attacked by a pit bull mix at a concert in Rockford Park a couple of weeks ago, causing multiple wounds to her right ear. (Now, if my dog had nearly bitten the ear off another dog, I would've been down on my hands and knees with apologies and a checkbook. But this particular WT family decided to instead accuse of of causing this bloody mess.) Anyway, blood, drama, and $800 worth of stitches later, our little Maggie is doing just fine. No more concerts for her. In other news...I went back to work M-Th two weeks ago, and its been a remarkably uneventful transition. We have a great nanny who is with Riley and her own daughter 4 days, and with Gabe 2 days. In September Gabe is starting montessori at a school down the street, at which point he'll be there in the mornings and at home in the afternoon. Its a big transition from day care, but so far so good! This week though Gabe is hanging solo with his Caca and Poppa Jack in North Carolina. He's far too busy to chat with us on the phone, what with picking veggies from the garden and finding all sorts of wildlife (frogs, worms and a baby snake...all just on Day One), but we hear from his grandparents that's he's having a great time. We are taking advantage of the respite by going out to restaurants with no kids menu (Riley is still BYOB) and hanging out with our Philly friends until 2am last night. Seriously, I haven't stayed out until 2am since Ryan's college reunion last year...and before that it was probably business school. And Riley, the Ultimate Team Player, slept in until 9:30 so we did too! Rock on! So my laptop has some serious issues these days, so I'm on a loaner...so no new pictures this time. Stay tuned!

Happy Birthday Gabe!

2009-07-28T12:52:00.001-04:00

3 years 2 years 1 year newborn Today my baby is three - and he couldn't be more thrilled! The celebration started Sunday with a birthday party for some of his little friends (where Ryan replicated the pinata scene from Parenthood (advance to 2:05 minutes)), then continued yesterday at school. Today he'll open some gifts, and then on Thursday some of his playgroup friends will join us for cupcakes. It's like Mardi Gras, only G-rated and with juice boxes. But otherwise, exactly the same!

Happy Birthday, my big 3 year old!

And I am a Cereal Girl

2009-07-25T22:04:00.000-04:00

Well, 9 days until I go back to work, and I'm cramming in so much "fun" that I'm exhausted! Today Sheryl and I did our 5-miler (and ran into Jill and Joe Biden!) and then we took Gabe and Riley to the pool this afternoon, following by a glutenous meal of hot dogs, fries, mac & cheese, and milkshakes -- so I'm sure the net result of the day is at least 1/2 a pound. Not that I'm counting. But the pending double blow of giving up the personal trainer and the nearly exclusive breastfeeding will wreak havoc on my already laughable metobolism, so I need to watch it. And tomorrow, I will! Anyway, tonight I had the true excitement of going to the grocery store (which is sadly crowded on a Saturday night), and now I'm sitting on the front porch with a beer watching it thunderstorm. Not a bad end to the day.

Anyway, the big excitement this week is that we started giving Riley cereal - which she lapped right up! I remember Gabe spitting it out for weeks after we started him at 6 months, so maybe earlier is better? Anyway, even better was after her first "meal" she slept for 12 hours -- after getting up twice a night for the previous 2 weeks. Hooray! Many of you know how fussy she can get during the day, and this week I was nearly arrested in Target after she screamed bloody murder for nearly an hour. Every retiree in New Castle County was popping by the baby aisle with oh-so-helpful hints on what I could try to soothe her, and even the store manager came over to see if she could help in any way (my initial response of "sure! do you have an ipod I can borrow?" didn't really help my case). Then after rejecting boob, binkie, and bottle, Riley decided that after 45 minutes it was her thumb that she'd been looking for all along. Kill me now.

And Gabe continues to keep me on my toes. From his obsession with Dora "we did it! we did it! we did it! yay!" to his running commentary on body parts and body fluids, to his neverending sweetness, he truly makes each day an adventure. Today he bumped his head on the baseboard of our bed (injury is very common in our house) and he was bawling his eyes out. I was holding him and mentioned something about tylenol, and he abruptly stopped crying, said "you're silly mama! you can't put tylenol on my head!" and then started crying again like he had never stopped. Even injuries are funny around here!

Last but not least, I'm an aunt! Kelly and Todd welcomed the arrival of Tyler Dillon Komaromy this week, and he is just adorable (and with an amazing head of head!). Pictures to come!

Mini-Holiday

2009-07-14T13:21:00.000-04:00

We just got back from a long weekend trip to Ocean City, MD with Megan (Ryan's sister). The weather was great, hotel was nice (in that new definition of "nice" which really means "no one scowled at us for having a crying baby, obnoxiously large stroller, and loads of kid paraphenalia strapped to us at all times"), and food was decent...but boy, we are now tired. TIRED. In all caps it seems to capture the feeling a bit more. You would think that playing all day in the pool, then staying out until 10pm on the boardwalk would tire Gabe out just a little bit, but nope, he was up at 6:30 each morning and today up at 5. Yes, a.m. Now that Riley is sleeping through the night I was thinking I wouldn't ever have to see 5am again! Joke's on me! But enough whining...I'm sure the long term effects of advanced sleep deprivation are minor. Here are some cute pictures from OC!

Congratulations!

2009-07-10T14:50:00.000-04:00

Congrats to Dana on the birth of Clara Ruth, and to Lauren on the birth of Charlotte Guion!

Where are the fireplaces?

2009-07-06T21:42:00.000-04:00

Happy 4th of July! We celebrated our nation's independence by experiencing one of the USA's crown jewels: the interstate! Yep, we made the trek down to North Carolina one last time before my maternity leave is over, and it was a doozy. Riley was a trooper the first trip, but this time she protested the entire way. Luckily our friends Dora and Boots were around once again to keep Gabe entertained. Quote of the week: ("Tinkle" is what his grandparents call pee-pee, so I guessed he had just learned that) Gabe: Mommy, I have to go trinkle in the potty. Me: What is "trinkle"? Gabe: Trinkle means pee-pee. In Spanish. Quote of the week, runner up: (While waiting for fireworks to start) Gabe: We want fire place! We want fire place!

Buy me some peanuts

2009-06-27T21:12:00.000-04:00

Top 5 Things About A Baseball Game, by Gabriel Welsh 1. Crackerjacks 2. Hot Dogs 3. Moon bounce 4. Dog show 5. Rockie (scary mascot) Notice something missing from that list? Like, the actual sport of baseball? Yep, tonight we took Gabe and Riley to see the Blue Rocks. It is absolutely perfect weather for it and lucky for us they have plenty of things to keep kids occupied since baseball is, let's face it, America's most boring pasttime. Especially if you're 2. (Or in my case, 33). I guess that's why they have moon bounces and beer!

We also went to Gabriella's third birthday party today, which was held at First State Gymnastics where Gabe had a BLAST. Lots of cute pictures so I have to narrow it down considerably before posting! But I will upload a couple from yesterday: one of Gabe playing with his buddies Ethan and Max in the backyard and one of Gabe raiding my lipstick stash. ("Stash" - ha ha - as if I own more than one tube!)

Hot Hot Hot

2009-06-25T21:08:00.000-04:00

After a weak start, the June temperatures are hitting nearly 90 every day now - which I love! We're spending a ton of time outside and at the pool and even Riley is getting in on the action. The best was the new "fountain" in our yard for Gabe to play in. Some might call it a broken spinkler, but they aren't 2. Anyway I tried my darndest to get a picture of him in it, but he was too fast!

Happy Fathers Day!

2009-06-22T13:29:00.000-04:00

This weekend my not-so-tiny baby turned 4 months old...oh, and it was Father's Day too! (But I suspect that happened everywhere, not just in our house.) I'm very lucky to have such a wonderful husband who also happens to be a top-notch dad! We had a fun weekend starting with a GNO (playing Bunco for the first time since Chicago!) on Friday and a laid back rainy day on Saturday, which ended playing in a very muddy backyard at our friends' house for a cookout. For Father's Day we took a church skip day, then hit the gym and lunch out before taking a looong nap (all of us!). The afternoon was finally sunny, so we played outside and went for a walk. All in all, a perfect weekend.

Something about turning 4 months old makes folks ask the age-old "how's she sleeping?" question with a little more edge. Anything less than sleeping through the night is somehow a huge failure at this juncture, I guess. Well, with Riley, its a little hit and miss. Every night she goes to bed at 9:30pm and wakes up at 8:30am. But whether there's a midnight snack in there somewhere depends on the night, so we just never know. But the consistency of a bedtime/wakeup time is a good first step. Next stop: a solid 12 hours!

The other big news is that Gabe has started going #2 in the potty today. He's been going #1 for a long time now, but otherwise - watch the carpet! I didn't pull a Kate Gosselin and take any pictures and even better, am not subjecting you to them (seriously, who would EVER want to see that?) but its definitely a big deal around here!

And with that, Happy Belated Father's Day to all you dads...a shout out of congrats to Pauline on the birth of her beautiful daughter Claire...and we are very thankful for Mara Ana's successful surgery. Have a great week!

Just a Teeny Tiny Bit

2009-06-15T21:59:00.000-04:00

So summer is in full swing around here, with the JCC summer camp starting and Gabe being trilled thrilled thrilled to get to go to the pool every day. We have also spent many hours, dollars, and cholesterol points over the past week at the Italian Festival - I think we went every day that it didn't rain. Throw in a couple of parties and a rainy day playdate and we are just TIRED. Well, at least 2 of us.

Little Riley is doing just great these days - laughing and giggling and generally just a happy baby. But, she has some digestion issues, to say the least, so between that and Gabe's slow-going potty training, poop is the hot topic in our house. TMI? Hey, you're the one reading my blog!

Gabe continues to impress us with his ability to carry on long and winding conversations. We're past "why, why, why" about everything and have moved on to hilariously funny synapses in his rapidly expanding brain. An example is when we were at a gas station last week:

Gabe: What are we doing here?

Me: We're getting gas for the car

Gabe: Because the car is thirsty!

Me: That's right! The car is thirsty and it needs gasoline to go.

Gabe: Gasoline! Oh, I like that! That's what we put on my cheeks!

Something he has also picked up is the ability to negotiate ANYTHING. Even if you think you've agreed on, say, 1 episode of Dora (obsession du jour), after it's over he'll say: "I know we can only watch one show, but I have an idea. How about just a teeny, tiny bit of a new show? Just a teeny bit? Just a minute? Okay, mama?" Its an ongoing battle, but he keeps us laughing!

Opa!

2009-06-07T21:16:00.000-04:00

Greetings! This weekend marked the end of the Greek Festival, an annual event here that is held 2 blocks away. The location is great for easy access to tasty grape leaves and gyros, but bad for parking and the old waistline. Friday we were planning to have some neighbors over to hang on the porch and people watch, but of course the weather conspired against my social life and it was cold, rainy, and generally disgusting out there. So we dug out the vacuum and outsmarted mother nature by having a cocktail party inside instead. Cocktails and kiddies - party on! The rest of the weekend was equally busy. Yesterday I used my Mother's Day gift of a facial and massage to duck out for a few hours. Actually they kicked me out after 2 hours; otherwise my hungover self would've stayed on that table all day. Today we hit the gym, church, and pool before heading over to the second ethnic festival in our 'hood: Italian Festival. Think carnival rides, italian food, wine & beer, and people selling crap - all within stumbling distance of our front door! Doesn't get better than that! I forgot my camera all weekend, so no new cute pics to post. I'll do better!

2009-06-03T21:49:00.000-04:00

We've had a busy week so far! My friend Marybeth took off work yesterday and we took the boys (and Riley) to pick strawberries at Linvilla Orchards. Hard work for them, but it paid off for us - I've been eating strawberries nonstop ever since. Its about time these little moochers started earning their keep! Last night we went to a picnic, then tonight the Blowmans came over for Greek food and people-watching on the front porch. And Riley and I fit in a pedicure today as well. Rough life we're leading, I know! On the flip side, Ryan has been out of town all week so I'm on my own...which is especially trying early in the morning. I'll make sure he gets his turn this weekend!

Potty Mouth

2009-05-26T21:24:00.000-04:00

Recently I've been informed that I'm quite the potty mouth on this blog - so for the record - this is for adults only! I save my G-rated commentary for the under-10 set, and let's face it, most of them are too cool to read my blog. Anyway, the real potty talk around here is centered around our pathetic attempt to potty train Gabe. He's okay about it as long as he's naked or only wearing underwear, but throw on some pants or shorts and the will to drop trow quickly disappears. We have exactly 3 months until he starts his new "big kid" school, and they don't allow diapers...so we definitely have to step it up. Any tips? Let us know! So my big adventure this past week was packing up Riley, Gabe, and Maggie for a road trip down to NC. I was expecting the worst but they were both troopers (thanks in large part to Dora the Explorer and her super-annoying Egg Hunt video). Ryan flew down on Saturday and we all drove back this morning. The weather was iffy but Gabe had a great time hiking, jumping on the trampoline, riding the 4-wheeler, and seeing our family. I had an equally good time: with 4 babysitters around I got to read 2 books, shop, drink plenty of sweet tea, and eat a fridge full of homemade food. Now it's back to the real world (and time to go on a diet!). Genetics...not our friend.

Leah meets Riley!

The crew in the bat cave (Linville Caverns)

Forget the bats - the (free) river outside Linville Caverns was the biggest hit of the day.

AAAARRRR

2009-05-17T18:01:00.000-04:00

Hello from the First State! We've had a pretty busy weekend, checking out a pirate ship on Saturday, having lunch with friends, and then my GNO last night. Let me say, I do go out quite a bit now that I can drink again, but it is a bitch coming in at midnight after a few drinks knowing that you have to get up at 5. Its almost enough to make me not go out. Almost. Luckily, Riley is a loyal part of the sisterhood and recognizes the therapeutic nature of drinking and gossiping will make me a better (well, slightly less grouchy) mother, so she cooperated by sleeping in until 6! Woo-hoo!

Today was slightly more low-key, although I did get to spend several hours volunteering in my church nursery, an experience that ruled out any possibility of a career change into the child care field. Then Gabe and I cooked brownies (which we do at least twice a week, which now that I type this makes me wonder a little less about those stubborn last 5 pounds) and I made the mistake of leave him unsupervised with the batter bowl. Check out the result of that wise move:

Little Riley is growing way too fast and already grabbing at her toys, so I finally remembered to dust off and install Gabe's old mobile, which was a HUGE hit. And for Riley too!

Last but not least (okay, who are we kidding...)...does anyone out there remember our first-born, Maggie? We do occassionally, usually around feeding time when she's nipping at our heels. She's still a trouble maker, but otherwise doing well and earning her keep as our guard dog (going nuts any time another human or animal comes within a block of our house...which since we live in the middle of the city is about every 5 minutes). Here she is cuddled up in a baby blanket, an image that will make my mother cringe.

Quote of the week:

Me (after finding Gabe sucking on a quarter): "Gabe, you better not having any money in your mouth"

Gabe: "No, I don't have money in my mouth Mommy. Of course not. I have money in my ear!"

Have a great week!

Long Overdue Update!

2009-05-10T12:08:00.000-04:00

I've been getting in some trouble for not posting lately, but I feel bad about posting with no pictures, and that makes me feel bad for taking so few pictures. Such a cycle of guilt! Luckily, I got my act together this weekend when Grandma and Papa Joe were in town for a few days on their way to Italy. After a solid week of rain, we finally got a sunny day for the Wilmington Flower Market (10% flowers, 90% carnival rides and food) where Gabe had a super time running around in the mud. Then yesterday my friend Julie and I headed up to the Philadelphia Zoo with 4 children under 3 between us. Brave, or incredibly stupid? The jury is still out, but it any outing that ends with a 2-hour nap is the very definition of success around here! (On a completely unrelated note, I'm watching this oddly hiliarious show on TLC called "I Didn't Know I Was Pregnant". Hmmm...no birth control, weight gain, swollen ankles...how could they ever suspected??)

Role Reversal

2009-04-29T20:07:00.000-04:00

Tonight we had a funny couple of conversations, Gabe and I. It made me wonder who was in charge around here! #1 - Gabe and I were playing baseball (...in the house...should've known this was going to lead to disaster) and I accidently swung and hit the ball into the TV. Its a foam ball, so no damage done, but apparently we've scared religion into Gabe about touching the TV, because he drew in a long breath and said: Gabe: "Mama! You hit the TV! You have to go sit in the bad boy chair!" Me (highly amused): "OK, you're right, I will." Go sit in kitchen chair. Me (after counting to 10): "Can I get up now?" Gabe: "Not yet! Not until I say so!" Me (count to 20): "How about now?" Gabe: "Okay, you can get up now. What do you say?" Me: "I'm sorry, Gabe, for hitting the TV. I won't do it again" #2: Then about an hour later we were using a new paint set: Me: "Gabe, do you like your new paints?" Gabe: "Yes, Mama! I do! I'm very proud of you!" Oops, I have to go. Gabe says it time to put me to bed.

2009-04-22T16:49:00.000-04:00

So we just returned from a great trip to sunny Florida - sooo much fun to travel with 2! That is, if you're sitting at the airport bar laughing at the people traveling with 2. Otherwise it sucks. But, once we got there we had a great time at the pool and the beach and the pool. Did I mention the pool? A few other musings while in the Sunshine State:

One day in the pool Gabe told us he wanted to go to sleep. Sleep? What? At 10am? Break out the mimosas - the morning nap is back! Unfortunately, he clarified that he wanted to sleep on the steps of the pool, meaning that he wanted a little rest. Thirty seconds later, we were all rested up and ready to go again. At least one part of 'we'
You always hear about how kids love the cheap stuff the best. No better demonstration than this weekend when Gabe got a set of plastic ocean animals he played with nonstop for 4 straight days. Price tag? $1.50. Guess what someone is getting under the tree this year?
Gabe's getting a little smarter every day, and that's not a good thing. We've resorted to spelling things, and I have to say, spelling is hard when there's no squiggly red underline to rely on. (Hey you, the one laughing, spell Madagascar. Quick. In hushed tones. And while trying to operate a DVD player on a plane with a whining kid on your lap.) Anyway, even that little tactic is backfiring now:

Me: "Ryan, do you want to take Gabe to the P-A-R-K?"

Gabe: "I want to go!"

Grandma: "Gabe, do you know what P-A-R-K spells?

Gabe (exacerbated): "It spells playground! I want to go to the playground!"

Well, so much for that. C-R-A-P.

Rapid Response

2009-04-18T18:21:00.000-04:00

I realized today that I forgot to post one of my bigger parenting blunders (and trust me, there are many to choose from) from last week. Its worse than letting Riley fall off the couch or putting Gabe to work picking up dog poop in the backyard, both of which happened the same day. Nope, this time I locked both kids in my car. Even after my mom warned me the doors were locked. And I scoffed at her. Lucky for us, the Wilmington police and fire departments are a bit overstaffed, or crime is down in a very real way, because while I was still on the phone with 911, we had five cop cars and one very loud firetruck at our house (that equals 10 cops and 4 firefighters for those of you a little slow on Emergency Services math). Where are these people each night when the homeless are rifling through my car? Anyway, a lot of nosy neighbors and shameless apologizing later, the car was unlocked and Gabe even got to play on the firetruck. Crisis averted! Now, back to picking up dog poop.

Easter fun

2009-04-16T14:16:00.001-04:00

This past weekend my parents and brother joined us for Easter (and for a weekend of mulching! Lucky them!) After church we took everyone out to an Easter brunch where the Bunny himself made an appearance. At first Gabe was scared (as in, went running out of the room crying) but when the bunny brought him some jelly beans he decided he was a "nice Easter Bunny" after all. A little bribery always does the trick. He still wouldn't sit on him lap though! Luckily Uncle Corey provided a little buffer between the two. Quote of the week: Ryan: "Gabe, did you know that you're my son?" Gabe: "Daddy, I'm your sun AND your moon!"

2009-04-08T20:57:00.000-04:00

Greetings from Broom Street! We've had a busy week so far after a lazy weekend. On Monday I met with my personal trainer again - she is worth every penny and kicking my ass. I can do (barely) her workout plan, but I would never in a million years do it on my own without someone standing there laughing at me. Where she makes me do 40 reps, I would quit after 10! Anyway, I was barely able to walk yesterday and today was actually worse. As luck would have it I had also volunteered to help with the Seder meal at the JCC yesterday, not realizing that I would barely be able to walk down the stairs, much less set out placemats, cups, napkins and plates for 70 kids ON THE FLOOR. That equalled about 500 more squats (but at least they were free!). Tomorrow school is closed so 2 of Gabe's friends are spending the day here. Wish me (and my house) luck! Riley is doing really well and is sleeping very predictably at night now (10-4am, 4:30-7am, 7:30-10am) which makes things much easier. She is also smiling at us -a lot!- and got a very sweet "I love Baby Riley" from her big brother this week. She has a new fan club in the babysitting room at the gym - all the other kids sing a Riley chorus whenever I bring her. Who knows what germs she's picking up with all of them hovering over her, but that's how they build up immunities, right? Right? Here are some new pictures: Gabe's new pasttime: Board Games! We've mastered the "Brown Bear, Brown Bear" one and are working on Chutes and Ladders. Smiley Riley!

Riley's new babysitter

2009-04-03T15:50:00.000-04:00

Our friend Meredith is Riley's new babysitter! Well, for now she can only babysit when her mom is around, but when Riley is in kindergarten they are on their own! For now she's also handy for showing Gabe how to play hide and seek. Here are some cute pics of the three of them:

One Fine Day

2009-04-01T21:50:00.000-04:00

Today I started on one of my maternity leave goals and went to see a personal trainer. I had a 10am appointment, and it took -no joke- nearly 4 hours to make it. Here's the breakdown: 4:30 Riley wakes up 6:30 Riley wakes up again 6:45 Gabe wakes up 7:00 Finish feeding Riley 7:01 Turn on TV for Gabe 7:02 Crawl back into bed 7:30 Curious George is over. Get up for real and negotiate diaper change. 7:45 Cajole Gabe in bathtub 8:15 Cajole Gabe out of bathtub 8:25 Negotiate breakfast items (Gabe won on applesauce, lost on PB&J) 8:45 Finish breakfast 8:50 Finish packing lunch for Gabe, diaper bag for Riely, and workout clothes & toiletries for me 8:58 Take stuff out to car 8:59 Take child #1 to car 9:00 Take child #2 to car 9:01 Back in the house to get snack for car 9:02 Back in again to get purse 9:20 Arrive at JCC amid cries of "no school!" 9:30 Leave Gabe's classroom 9:35 Arrive at fitness center day care 9:50 Finish nursing Riley 9:55 Stash stuff in locker room 10:00 Arrive at trainer's office 10:01 Curse trainer for being late. Doesn't he know what it took to get here???

Eat your words, mommy

2009-03-29T20:22:00.000-04:00

So not 6 hours after I wrote that Gabe wouldn't hold Riley, he asked to hold her. As luck would have it, he was also wearing his new big brother t-shirt (and not much else, thanks to our 70 degree weather today!) so it made for some very cute pictures. Enjoy!

Congrats Chris and Lauren

2009-03-29T09:34:00.000-04:00

Yesterday Riley and I took a road trip down to DC (or a Gabe calls it, Washington ABC) for Lauren and Chris's baby shower. It was a quick trip, but she was a trooper and slept the whole way down and back - and was awake to entertain the troops during the shower. She was passed around so much I don't think I saw her for several hours! She did do her proper duty for all the parents-to-be in the room by throwing up on nearly everyone. So, folks, consider yourselves prepared! Otherwise Riley and Gabe are both doing well. Riley is up to a pretty consistent 6-7 hours of sleep a night (~11-5:30) and on Friday she gave us a little weekend gift by sleeping nearly 9 hours! Not to be repeated anytime soon, I'm sure, but it was a big treat to sleep for over 8 hours straight. She is really good during the day but her "fussy" (read: screaming bloody murder) time is around 8 to 10 at night - just after we've put Gabe down, of course. But she'll work through that soon. Growing is hard work. Gabe is slowly but surely getting used to the fact that his baby sister is here to stay. He is a good helper but not very interested in touching or holding Riley. He's also caught onto the fact that when I take him to day care (3 days/week) I'm not going to work and she isn't going to the infant room across the hall, so now dropoff comes complete with a full complement of "I want to stay home with you and Riley" screaming tantrums. Little does he know we don't go home - I have to use the time alone with my more portable child to do the glamourous runs to the post office, grocery store, library, and (only slightly more glam) outlet mall. I'm not brave enough to go any of those places with both of them, so off to day care he goes. Of course 5 minutes after I leave he has a great time and I have to drag him out kicking and screaming when I pick him up. You can't win! Here are some pics from the shower!

One Month Old

2009-03-21T10:10:00.000-04:00

Yesterday Riley turned one month old - which is really weird since I feel like I brought her home last week! She is doing really well - sleeping consistently from 11-4:30 and then from 5-8. Ryan has been getting up with Gabe so I am sleeping when Riley sleeps - meaning I'm sleeping 'til 8, which is working out perfectly! She is also getting into a nice little schedule of eating, awake time, and napping. By the way, if anyone is wondering, the book "The Baby Whisperer" by Tracy Hogg is where we learned how to get both our babies onto great schedules that allow for both happy, well rested babies as well as happy, well rested parents (this last part is where some other methods are lacking). I haven't tried her other books on toddlers but this one hit the mark for us. Since a lot of my friends have recently or are about to become parents - this is my #1 piece of advice! Well, that and never wake a sleeping baby. No matter what the lactation consultant tells you.

I think we're alone now

2009-03-17T22:38:00.000-04:00

So it's official: we're on our own. My mom (Ca-Ca) left yesterday leaving us with tears and growling stomachs. Luckily she left us dinner, but from here on out we're left to our own devices (read: Boston Market)! Here are some new pictures of Riley (awake and alert more and more!) and Ryan showing Gabe how to cook "snakes".

Update from the Trenches

2009-03-12T08:42:00.000-04:00

Greetings from Broom Street! We have had a crazy busy week, with Ryan's parents here this past weekend and both our mothers here Monday and Tuesday. Pat was a great help and went back to Buffalo yesterday, and my mom will be here through the weekend. Then real life begins! Riley is continuing to be my easy child! Although she is awake and alert a bit more, she is still a terrific sleeper at night, usually with three 4-hour stretches between feedings. Gabe has been sick this week so he's been home with us up until today and has literally ravaged my house and our collective patience. We've been indulging him a bit because of being sick, and he's definitely taking advantage! If I see one more episode of Curious George I just may go on a monkey-slaying spree. Gabe story of the week: We were eating dinner the other night and he said 'I want something else'. Ryan told him that he first had to eat what was in front of him, then he could have something else, and without missing a beat the little booger picked up his plate and moved it way over to the side. We were all pretty stunned at first (as in, did he really just do that?) and then had to turn away and laugh. I probably laughed for a good five minutes, then started to worry. I mean, if my 2-year old is this clever, what can I expect at 10? Here are some new pics!

Let it Snow

2009-03-04T18:18:00.000-05:00

We had the year's biggest snowstorm this weekend and our wimpy son manages to spend about 5 minutes playing in it at a time until he declares himself "too cold!". He does forget from day to day just how cold the white stuff can be, so every day he begs to play in the snow and we spend 30 minutes getting all bundled up, 5 minutes playing and then 20 more minutes stripping down. Then again, I don't have many other pressing engagements these days, so that's just fine!

Here are some new pictures of Riley, too!

Victory!

2009-02-25T21:31:00.000-05:00

Tonight Gabe wanted to hold his sister! We couldn't believe it. He was talking on the phone to his Poppa Jack and all of a sudden said "bye bye Poppa, I want to hold my baby sister". Later he helped give her a bottle too. We're over the hump!

Now, if only he will sleep past 6....

We're Home!

2009-02-25T12:00:00.001-05:00

We brought Riley home on Monday afternoon to a wonderfully clean and decorated house (Thanks Ryan and Mom!)...which of course lasted about all of an hour! Her first couple of nights have been great. Monday night she slept from 10-12:30 and then from 2-7:30!! We couldn't believe it! Then last night she slept from 10-1, 1:30-4:30, and 5:30-10:00! So absolutely no compliants on the newborn sleep habits; the only problem is the combination of her sleep habits and her brother's, as right after I crawl back into bed from her second feeding, Gabe creeps into our room. We can send him back to bed until his little night light turns to "sunshine", but that's around 6:30. At that point Ryan or my Mom get up with him, but he spends the next hour or two battling with them to come see Mommy and Baby Sister. Yes, you heard that right, he actually wants to see his sister now. Not enough to hold her or feed her, but he's interested enough that he looks for her and wants to sit beside me when I feed her so we can read a book "all together". So, call off the therapists...he's getting there!

Gabe's quote of the week (upon watching me nurse Riley for the 1st time): "Oh no, Mama, she's trying to eat your tummy!"

Here are some new pictures from Riley's homecoming. Enjoy!

Welcome Riley Elizabeth

2009-02-21T19:48:00.000-05:00

As most of you know by now, Riley Elizabeth joined us in this great big world at exactly 9am on Friday, February 20. She is just beautiful with light brown hair and dark blue eyes (both subject to change!). She's also very petite at 6 lbs, 9 oz birth weight (a little less now) -- its easy to forget how tiny they are! So far she's a good eater and sleeper so say a little prayer it keeps up. We have twice hit the jackpot in the baby department! Speaking into our firstborn, he is definitely NOT PLEASED with this new little creature in his life. Yesterday when he came to visit he would't look at Riley at all and wouldn't talk to anyone who was holding him. He wouldn't talk to Ryan when he went home last night or to me on the phone when I called. During today's visit he did acknowledge her, barely, but we had to bribe him to get close enough to her for a picture. He does love being a "helper" so we exploited this weakness but having him bring us a diaper and wipes to change her, but when she started crying he got scared and ran to the other side of the room. It was so cute! The sibling rivalry begins! So anyway, we're at St Francis hospital and are overall doing great. St Francis is a small community hospital about 8 blocks from our house and we couldn't be happier with the treatment and level of knowledge, friendliness and service from the staff. I thought my experience at NWC in Arlington Heights was good until I came here. There are only a few babies here at any given time so we have the full staff waiting on us hand and foot. I may just move in! Also, it was really an unusual experience having a scheduled c-section (well, I guess no birth experience is "usual"...) - I'm wondering what others think who have gone through this. With Gabe, it was an emergency c-section after about 20 hours of labor, so it was very different to casually stroll in on Friday morning, chat it up with the doctors and nurses for a couple of hours, then walk into the OR and emerge 45 minutes later with a baby. I wouldn't say I would recommend it, actually, unless you really have a thing for precision, but I guess in the end the result is the same! We're going home Monday so feel free to give us a buzz! Here are a few pictures with many more to come over the next few weeks as Riley moves into her new digs!

Those Geniuses at Fisher Price

2009-02-16T22:49:00.001-05:00

So Fisher Price started making a digital camera for pre-schoolers, and I was simultaneously skeptical and intrigued, so I put it on our Christmas list. Grandma came through and Gabe has spent a couple of months figuring this contraption out. The quality (esp indoors) isn't the best, but it is definitely pre-schooler friendly (i.e. only 4 buttons and can be dropped down 3 flights of stairs without a scratch), so I thought I would post a few of his gems. His favorite subject is our carpet, so I've spared you at least that. Thank me later.

Happy Birthday, Valentine

2009-02-15T14:37:00.000-05:00

Gabe is obsessed with birthdays lately, especially after going to a couple of birthday parties in the past few weeks. He always wants to know when his birthday is and if he's going to get a present. So on Friday we were looking for a present for Ryan for v-day, and Gabe got very excited: "its Dada's birtthday?" I tried to explain that it was Valentines day we were going to get a present because we love him. So on Saturday, we were having some domestic excitement cleaning up the yard after all the wind storms this week, and Ryan told Gabe to bring me a "present", a diet Coke box that had blown out of our recycling bin into the bushes. So Gabe ran up to me, proudly handed over the disgusting box, and yelled "Happy Birthday, Valentine!". Best gift ever.

Look Out...Here Comes Spider Man

2009-02-10T15:01:00.000-05:00

This past weekend we went to one of Gabe's friends from school's 3rd birthday party. Spider Man made an appearance, and a lot of the kids were traumatized by the man in the stretchy pants (including me, but for different reasons). Gabe pronounced SM "very scary" and warned us to stay away from him, but toward the end of the party summoned up enough bravery to give him a high five. So now if you mentioned the birthday party, Gabe will conveniently forget the moon bounce, pizza, cupcakes, and basketball, but tell you repeatedly that "I give Spyman a high five. Spyman likes Gabe". Adorable.

Sugar and Spice and All Things Nice

2009-02-01T21:26:00.001-05:00

The whole pinked out crew (minus Char! Where did she go?)

On Friday my friend Sheryl and her daughter Meredith hosted (hostess-ed?) a baby shower for me and the still-yet-to-be-named newest member of our family. It was a wonderful event with my friends from work -- really over the top, complete with a yummy drinks, a wonderful meal (Sheryl's husband Dave is quite the chef), delicious desserts, elaborate favors, and lots and lots and lots of PINK! Everyone is getting a big kick out of me suddenly being thrown into a world of dolls and princesses and hair accessories, so the shower was my "orientation"! We all had a super time, and thanks again to Sheryl, Meredith, Dave and Christine (makes of cupcakes and favors, and mommy to twin infants!) and to Beth from traveling all the way from the Windy City for the festivities!

My daughter's first Disney princess-themed gift (and I'm sure her last? Ha ha!) Sheryl, my tummy, and me

Best cupcakes ever

Christine, Meredith and Sheryl show off all things pink!

Yes We Can (If We Don't Freeze First)

2009-01-17T21:35:00.000-05:00

today we went to obama's inauguration - the wilmington edition. the inaugural train stopped in wilmington for about an hour to pick up joe biden and there was a little rally in the park next to the train station. people starting lining up at dawn for a 1pm appearance, or so we heard, since we didn't arrive until about 11:30. it was surprisingly easy to get a spot with a good view of the stage (we were literally on a grassy knoll) and even though we were all bundled up, it was freeeezing - about 20 degrees although with mercifully little wind. despite the cold it was well worth it to be part of the history-making inauguration, sans DC mayhem. here are a few pics:

New Year, New Battle Wound

2009-01-17T21:08:00.000-05:00

sorry its been so long since an update. we did have a bit of drama on the way back from florida to north carolina right after new year's. we flew out of fort lauderdale and the visibility was really bad at tri-cities, so they diverted us to greenville, sc to wait it out. after a brutal hour on the plane they finally hard mercy on our bladders and appetities and let us hang out in the terminal instead. gabe managed to make some little friends and while they were running around, he tripped and hit his head on a chair and started bleeding profusely - there was blood EVERYWHERE from the neck up. imagine my joy!

once we got him cleaned up it turned out he had a pretty bad gash above his eyebrow. the airport medics (a great bunch, although they seemed a bit overstaffed: we had about 10 folks hanging out with us for over an hour) sent us to the emergency room to get stitches, so we rented a car and drove to a hospital with a pediatric ER. turns out it was in the 'hood (who knew there was one in greenville?) and there was a 3 hour "minimum" wait so we headed to a different ER which in contrast was disturbingly empty. they patched his "big boo-boo" and he was handsomely rewarded with m&m's for dinner (at 10:30PM!). after we were done there, we went ahead and drove the 3 hours to my parents house, which was a good thing because it turns out that the flight couldn't go on from greenville because of the fog, so they sent everyone back to FLORIDA at about midnight. glad we weren't there, but our luggage was, so it didn't get back to NC for 2 more days, and didn't get to us for a week. given my wardrobe challenges, you can imagine the horror of going without most of my clothes for a week! it ranked up right up there with the bloody-child-in-airport (although that one couldn't be fixed at the mall).

here is a picture of gabe in his injured glory:

2008-12-31T21:13:00.000-05:00

So last night we opened gifts with the Welsh's - all adding to our considerable travel loot. I think we'll need new luggage to make it home! Among (many) other things, Gabe got a kid-proof camera that he held backwards and walked around saying "cheese" for an hour - hilarious. He also informed Ryan that that was HIS camera, and if Da-da touched it he would have to sit in the bad boy chair. "Got it, Da-da?". Can't make this stuff up. Here are a couple of pictures I downloaded - more to come.

And ONE Patridge In A Pear Tree

2008-12-27T21:25:00.000-05:00

Merry Christmas and greetings from The Sunshine State! We just spent a week in NC with the Garlands and crew, and had a great time. Let me say, its a good time of year to be pregnant, especially when every meal has at least one element each of sausage, chocolate and cheese. So I'm probably up a good another 5 pounds, but at least this year we can blame it on baby. Gabe was a hoot opening presents this year. We weren't sure how he would react to the gift orgy, but he was very good at taking turns and really appreciating each gift. At least the first day. By day 3 he was tearing through gifts with record speed and whining when there were no more to open. Ah, the challenges of parenting in our culture of excess. At least there was plenty of sausage, chocolate and cheese. So now we're in sunny Florida with Ryan's family, and having a good time relaxing by the pool. Gabe is a little too comfortable in the water: he really is doing his own thing now, paddling around with a life jacket keeping him afloat, as opposed to someone holding him the whole time like on previous visits. So his independence and confidence is making us all a little nervous that he's just going to jump on in when no one is watching. So we all watch. A lot. So a few funny quotes from our main man this week, including him getting highly agitated during the Twelve Days of Christmas when "3 french hens, 2 turtle doves" wasn't followed by "and 1 partridge in a pear tree". And informing us that he only likes one letter, G for Gabe, and NOT any more letters. Take that, M. More to come, including pictures of Santa Garland!

Almost Christmas!

2008-12-18T22:15:00.000-05:00

So we've been busy preparing for our upcoming 2 weeks of travel, going to lots of Christmas (and Hannukah!) parties, buying gifts, sending cards, baking (and eating, and eating) cookies, and slowly going insane with stress of it all. Oh, and work too. Yes, those of you who know me well are no doubt snickering at the baking reference, but I did manage 4 dozen cookies (3 ingredients!) for 2 different events this week. And they say it couldn't be done! It is, after all, the most wonderful time of the year. Anyway, here are a few pics from a gingerbread house event at church, a kids Christmas party (with a surprise visit from Santa), and the lights at Longwood Gardens. Enjoy! p.s. the favorite Gabe quote this week was when we were at the ECC Hannukah party, and the rabbi walked in wearing a red ski jacket and red yarmulke (that's yamaka for you Gentiles in the crowd), and my PC son yells "Look, it's Santa!"

Turkey Day

2008-12-04T20:37:00.000-05:00

For Thanksgiving we flew to Minneapolis to visit Ryan's sister Megan and her husband Dustin, and by "visit" I really mean ruin their new awesome loft condo by letting a 2-year old run wild. They were great hosts, even scrounging up a crib, exciting toy supply, and plenty of organic milk to keep their youngest guest feeling right at home. We took in a few Minneapolis sights, including the downtown Razzle Dazzle Christmas Parade, the Mall of America and the famous Heim house (which was also complete with toys for my main man). I forgot my good camera but here are a few pictures I managed to take with the old one. More to come when I get Papa Joe's pictures downloaded.

The newest member of the family (but for the record, that does not make me her aunt!) Gabe learns hide and seek

Happy Birthday Grandma!

Three hungry Welsh-men

my night last night

2008-12-04T19:56:00.000-05:00

gabe's new mission in life is to forget his stellar sleeping habits over the past 2 years and instead prepare me for life with a newborn. his handiwork last night: 8:15 bed for gabe 10:40 bed for me 12:00 loud noise, go to crib 2:20 loud noise, mama’s bed 3:00 not asleep yet 3:14 not asleep yet 3:15 back to crib 5:50 time to get up, mama 5:51 not a chance, back to big boy bed. threaten candy in trash 6:20 where’s my water mama 6:21 here’s water, to back to bed 6:30 its light outside mama, time to get up! 8:20 arrive at day care. overhear “he has so much energy! someone must have had a good nights sleep!” feign deafness. 8:40 leave day care. look for blunt objects. settle for caffeine.

spelling lessons

2008-12-03T20:44:00.000-05:00

previously i mentioned that gabe's vocabulary keeps us laughing, so i thought i would share a couple of recent things he said. you probably won't find it quite as funny, but bear with me, keeping in mind that a few short months ago i was impressed when he said "more milk". 1 - (while drinking his first smoothie in the back of a shopping cart) "mmm...this is yummy! you should try it, mama!" 2 - (reading the letters on his personalized stepstool) G-A-B-E, that spells gabe! (reading the letters on my sweatshirt) A-P-P-A-L-A-C-H-I-A-N-S-T-A-T-E, that spells mama!

2008-11-16T17:49:00.000-05:00

So this weekend was a little on the boring side for all of us. Friday and Saturday were warm but raining, so after being cooped up with boring mom and dad both days, Gabe was asking us if he could go to school! Sunday was the exact opposite, sunny and freezing, so we were again cooped up - but church and lunch gave us a little bit of a break. I guess the best part about hanging at home for 3 days was that we really got a chance to appreciate Gabe's expanding vocabulary. It was really only a few months ago when he was limited to one or two word phases like "milk", "choo-choo", "big pool". Nowadays we get these long-winded explanations, like "I stay in bed until its light outside...get up in dark and throw candy in the trash". (If you want that interpreted shoot me an email). Or my favorite was the recollection of Halloween: "And then I go to another house, and another house, and another house, and get candy, and more candy, and more candy, and then I go home and eat it. But no Maggie". And, oh the questions...what's that, what are you doing, what's that, where are you going, what's that, why are you leaving, what's that...its slightly maddening but seriously adorable. In other news, I've been getting a lot of questions about my job in the face of massive company layoffs. I've been wondering about the upside of my job as the "gatekeeper" of all things email, and found it - job security! Not that anything is certain, but there is a slight relief when you realize you manage the cheapest distribution channel in the company. So, let's hope our management has the same line of thinking! Last but not least, I've been getting a lot of flack for being a bad communicator about baby #2. So here you have it: I'm pregnant and due in late February! The big shocker is that it's a girl...I had definitely convinced myself it would be a boy. So get out your pink yarn and knitting needles, because there will be some big changes coming our way. So far "big" is the operative word...I'm up 15 lbs...2 due to the baby and 13 compliment of my friends Ben and Jerry. Hey, I had to make some new friends after so rudely kicking out Sam Adams and Charles Shaw!

Movies and More Movies

2008-11-09T18:02:00.000-05:00

Its probably been 6 months since I've been to a movie in an actual movie theater, but this weekend I went to two! Friday my book club went to dinner to talk about Secret Life of Bees and then to the movie. I'm normally disappointed by adaptations of books and didn't have high hopes for this one given the casting (Jennifer Hudson as a peach picker turned nanny? Please.) and my disdain for fake southern accents. But I have to say I was very pleasantly surprised with good acting and a remarkable likeness to the book -- some of the dialogue was verbatim. There were some details changed unnecessarily but overall I gave it high marks. I guess Sue Monk Kidd didn't sell out the way most authors do (ahem, John Grisham). The other movie we went to see was Madagascar 2, a big experiment since we took Gabe. The movie was ok, not that I saw much of it given the large task of keeping a 2-year old from shouting "zebra!", "lion!", "penguin!" every time an animal appeared on screen. Also it turns out that movie theaters have these booster seats from little kids, not that we were smart enough to figure that out until 30 minutes into the movie and 7 seats deep in the row. So our booster-less booger got to sit - you guessed it - on mommy's lap the whole time. Except for the time he spent picking up various treasures from the theater floor. And the time standing up in his own seat playing peek a boo with the folks in front and behind us. Yes, that little experiment was $27 well spent. Maybe we'll try again when he's 7. In other news this week, like the rest of America we stayed up late to watch election results and all I can say is this: the American people proved me wrong. Given that 5 years ago public enemies #1 and #2 were Osama Bin Laden and Saddam Hussein, I had serious doubts that our relatively shallow electorate could vote for someone named Barack Hussein Obama - black or white. Lets face it - this is the same public that can't find Washington, DC on a map. But they proved me wrong and we're all the better for it. A shout out to my friend Caroline who was the Obama coordinator for North Carolina. I had doubts she could turn such an entrenched red state even the slightest shade of blue, but she did!

Happy Halloween!

2008-11-01T18:13:00.000-04:00

...and Happy Birthday to me! We had a great time trick or treating in our new neighborhood last night. Turns out a TON of kids come here to trick or treat, so our 7 bags of candy didn't last long. Gabe the Dinosaur was a trooper and hit about a dozen houses in 30 minutes, then decided it time to come home and eat the loot. After practicing all week, he said "Trick or Treat!" to the owner at every house, usually followed by "I get candy now" directed at no one in particular. After enduring 4 hours of traffic, our friends Leslie and Josiah came to visit from D.C. to help celebrate my birthday with beer (for them), cupcakes (for me. but I shared.), and shared candy-passing-out responsibilities. We had a great time catching up and selling them on the joys of parenthood. And maybe if Gabe had slept past 6:30 this morning, they would have bought it! Today after they left we took advantage of the short-lived warm weather and went hiking...a few pics below. Enjoy!

Grandma, Papa and Alligator come for a visit

2008-10-30T21:06:00.001-04:00

Goodnight Sweetheart, continued

2008-10-30T20:52:00.000-04:00

So we're still trying to get Gabe to sleep through the night in his new room and bed. He was great when his grandparents were here this weekend but its been downhill since then. Take last night for example: 2:10am Gabe runs into our room: "Wake up, Mama!" 2:11am Turn over, hoping this is a bad dream. 2:12am Realize this is happening for real, give Gabe the choice of going back to his bed or to his crib. He chooses a write-in candidate: coming to bed with me. 2:13am Dada's pillow is not good enough, so Gabe and I are sharing a pillow. This can't end well. 2:15am Gabe gives me a kiss and starts playing with my hair. The sweetness is making up for any loss of sleep. 2:16am Gabe kicks me in the back, temporarily eradicating all goodwill. 2:17am Glance at the clock, vowing to give Gabe until 2:30 to go to sleep. 2:30 Too lazy to get up; maybe just another few minutes 2:59 Enough is enough. Grab pillow, blanket and33 lb monster and go back to his room. Pull out trundle bed and settle in for the night. 3:11 Woken up by Buzz Lightyear. Realize Gabe has annoying toy phone in bed. Confiscate phone, issue warning of sleep or sudden death, and roll back over. 6:03 One little monkey, jumping on my bed. Good morning to me! Again.

Goodnight Sweetheart

2008-10-21T21:31:00.000-04:00

Tonight I'm conducting a new experiment called Gabe Stays In His New Bed Until 7AM. So far its going pretty well, but then again 7am is a good 10 hours away.

Since the nursery will have a new occupant in February, we've been trying to transition Gabe to his new room and bed for a few weeks. It wasn't going too well until this weekend when I volunteered to lay down on the trundle bed beside him until he went to sleep. The flaw in my strategy was that it is extremely difficult to lay down in the dark at 8pm and not fall asleep - so I've been going to bed ridiculously early too! The second flaw in the big-boy bed concept is that Gabe comes running into our room the minute he wakes up - this morning at 6am. In his crib at least we could entertain the idea he'd go back to sleep, but no more!

Poppa Jack and Ca-Ca come for a visit

2008-10-13T20:29:00.001-04:00

I need this!

2008-10-13T19:32:00.000-04:00

Gabe's newest phase is "I need this", a byproduct of 26 months of my saying "what do you need?" in response to every cry, whine, pout, or point. It usually comes out as a prolonged yet insistent "neeeeeEEEd" this, with lots of emphasis on the need and little to no indication of what "this" might be. I've started responding with my own list of needs for Gabe, which in no particular order include: - a potent and irreversible potty training syrum - a body clock set to a later wakeup time - amnesia about that time I accidently let him see a certain purple dinosaur - a love of books that manifests itself prior to 8pm - a magnetic attraction to his car seat As far as needs for Mommy, the list is too long to type. I think a martini would be a good start and end to the list! Maybe in March...

Update from the First State

2008-10-06T00:55:00.000-04:00

It occurred to me this weekend that I haven't updated the blog for a while. It took me a while to think of why - after all, work hasn't gotten any worse than usual, we haven't been traveling, and generally life wasn't any more or less hectic in September than during the summer. Then it hit me - it's The Wire that's 100% at fault for my blogging lapse. Yes, The Wire, that critically acclaimed HBO show on a few years ago that apparently no one but the critics watched. Well, after going to Blockbuster maybe twice a year since we met, Ryan and I now find ourselves at the local video store at least twice a week renting The Wire. The owner knows us, knows Gabe and even knows Maggie (and has treats on hand). Yes, the couple that travels to an average of 3 cities a week between us, has found an extra 6-8 hours a week to dedicate to not one, but 5 seasons of a show about the Baltimore drug trade. Yes, it's that good. Consider this a direct endorsement and go start renting right away. UNLESS you rent from Classic Video in Wilmington - in which case, stay away from our store! So, I'm taking a break tonight from The Wire and catching up on politics and blogging instead. I'm watching the VP debate from last Thursday (go Biden!) and downloading pictures from our trips to local farms this weekend. Enjoy!

Labor Day in Buffalo

2008-09-01T21:45:00.000-04:00

(we were on that boat!)

We spent Labor Day weekend with Grandma and Papa in sunny Buffalo, NY. Despite our efforts to the contrary, Gabe has finally mastered "Grandma" instead of "Ta-ta", so its finally ok for him to yell for his Grandma in public. (That was one Pat hoped wouldn't make the baby book - but it has made the blog!). Grandma and Papa should moonlight as tourism ambassadors for Buffalo - they took us all around to festivals, parks, Niagara Falls (the "big waterfall"), and of course - Buffalo wings! They only down side to our visit is that they're so close to the water that alligators seem to have invaded their townhouse.

Ca-Ca Comes for a Visit

2008-09-01T21:31:00.000-04:00

Last weekend Ca-Ca came to visit us. OK, not really - she came to visit Gabe. Those two had a lot of fun running around town to all the playgrounds, ice cream stores, and choo-choo trains they could find! Plus we all enjoyed the fresh fruit & veggies from NC and VA and the homemade applesauce from Ca-Ca's kitchen. Turns out applesauce doesn't grow in a plastic cup with a foil top! Who knew?

Loud Bird!

2008-08-23T09:15:00.000-04:00

We're always amazed at the random things that collect in Gabe's mind. For example, this week we went to Brandywine Zoo and Gabe got to see and pet a whole slew of animals, play some beanbag games, and eat hot dogs and popcorn. But if you ask him about the zoo all he will tell you is that there was a "loud bird!", a macaw that screeched right in his face and caused him to jump in my arms crying. Its the equivalent of my narrowing down my entire wedding to a dull fork!

No Candy, Iron and Sugar...but plenty of memories!

2008-08-23T09:03:00.000-04:00

This week Ryan and I celebrated our 6th wedding anniversary. I can't believe its been 6 years, because as we always say, feels like 20! We got a rare babysitter and went out for a nice dinner and remembered all the fun of our wedding (random naked guy!) and honeymoon (the mulch spa!) and the 6 years, 4 moves, 4 houses, countless jobs and fabulous kiddo that have come since.

Wildwood Days

2008-08-10T21:12:00.000-04:00

Yesterday we took advantage of the amazing weather and drove to Wildwood, NJ for the day. Mapquest said the take the long way (1 hour, 45 min) but we decided we knew better so took the short way (2 hours, 45 minutes). Score 1: Mapquest. Anyway, once arriving we did have a pretty good time at the beach and checking out the rides on the boardwalk. The worst part was having to choose between custard, ice cream, water ice, and frozen yogurt -- that place is a dream come true for those of us who consider Baskin Robbins a bit stingy on variety.

All Aboard

2008-08-08T07:15:00.001-04:00

Last weekend we headed to the Wilmington and Western Railroad for Ethan's 2nd birthday party. Riding a train is the single best form of bribery/threat that exists in our house. The second that the threat of not riding the choo-choo was brought up, Gabe was more than willing to finish his lunch, clean up his toys, lay down for a diaper change, sit still in the grocery cart, change the oil, do the dishes...you name it. On second thought maybe we should have used that all that power for more good, like potty training, and less evil, like bringing Ryan a beer and the remote. Hmmmm...maybe next time.

Anyway, the train ride did live up to its hype as all the kiddos had a great time. However, that thrill was soon eclipsed by the even bigger thrill of the woolyworm/caterpillar-like creature that we found when we de-boarded. So now if you ask Gabe if he rode the train, he'll nod thoughtfully, then tell you "Caterpillar on hand!". I think I see a new bribe for this weekend....

Birthday boy Ethan, his big brother Max, and Gabe (yes, those are Goldfish he's eating for dinner) All the little guys on the train.

Gabe is 2!

2008-07-28T21:51:00.000-04:00

Today our sweet boy is 2 years old. Here is a picture of our big boy today, on his first birthday, and on his Birth Day. Its gone by too quickly! July 28, 2008

July 28, 2007

July 28, 2006

Sesame Place

2008-07-27T21:08:00.000-04:00

Today we took Gabe to Sesame Place for this 2nd birthday. If you've ever wondered what a 2:2:4 adult to stroller to child ratio looks like, this is the place to go. We had a great time riding the kiddie rides (like "Elmo's boat" in Gabe-speak) and cooling off in the water park ("Elmo's pool"). The life-size characters, poor souls who are obviously serving a some community service sentence by standing around in 90 degree heat in furry costumes, weren't such a big hit. Gabe was pretty intrigued by seeing his favorite characters from afar, but up close I have to admit they were even scary for me. Ernie's nose was as big as my face! Gabe shows off gymnastics in the pool

City of Brotherly Love

2008-07-27T20:57:00.000-04:00

This weekend Ryan's sister Megan gave us her magical history tour of Old Philadelphia. We weren't past the Liberty Bell entrance before it dawned on me how horribly my 19 years of formal education have failed me, as easily 90% of my knowledge came from the John Adams mini-series on HBO (and the other 10% likely came from National Treasure...house of Pass and Stow, anyone?). Lucky for me, Megan teaches US History for a living, so her knowledge base was a little more well-rounded.

Gabe and Aunt Megan meet Ben Franklin!

Megan and Ryan relax in the park

Gabe on the carousel in Franklin Park