Christmas 2010

4 feet of tree
3 strands of lights
1 ornament
1 advent calender
10 minutes to "pack it all up"
2 feet of stocking filled with treats for Freddie
1 hour to warm up to the present opening routine
3 flights
3 airport potty visits
1 airplane potty visit, complete with a pantsless return to the seat
3.5 hours nonstop returning
30 minutes in a holding pattern
30 minutes to Dulles as blizzard diverted us
2 days until available flights to NYC
0 hotel room supposedly available in Dulles area
70 dollar cab ride from Dulles to Union Station
410 dollars on train tickets
0 naps
4 hour Amtrak train ride
1 subway transfer
3 suitcases to manage
3 carry ons to manage
1 stroller to manage
24 inches of snow to walk through with all of this stuff to get from subway station to home
10 gifts still to open
25 pictures taken (bad mommy)
1 holiday trip still to come

14 Weeks (and 1 day)

Sorry, a day late.  Travelling through the blizzard weather yesterday meant that I was in no condition for a belly shot when we arrived home last night. 

I look tired, you say?  I am.  Really, really, really tired.  It's about the only symptom I have and it is pretty extreme, even more so than when I was pregnant with Freddie.  Perhaps because I have Freddie outside of the womb to chase around?  I tend to want to crash around 3pm which coincides with when Freddie is getting up from his nap.  Sometimes I try to lie down for a bit when Freddie naps but that stint in the middle of the day is also when I grocery shop, pay bills, organize toys, wash dishes, do laundry, prep dinner, clean the bathrooms, and occasionally sit on the couch.

I weighed this morning and the numbers are still holding.  I imagine some holiday weight gain will show up next week, but for now this is a 14 week belly looking like 20 weeks.  I am in maternity pants but for now my sweaters seem to be working.  I sure hope I can get passed the cold weather without needing any winter maternity wear. 

Travelling Man

Charlie made the last minute decision to bring the potty seat with us in his carry on. 

Denver International Airport, Concourse B

Thank goodness for family bathrooms in the airports...and hand sanitizer.  Freddie made it through the morning and the first 2.5 hour flight with a dry diaper, and Charlie was very impressed with the family bathrooms in O'Hare.  

He visited the family bathroom once arriving to the Denver airport as well and whooped it up in there as well.  Although not completely dry, he did pretty well for another long flight.  It probably had something to do with the fact that he slept for 2 hours on the plane.

That hasn't happened since he was an infant.  I was so thankful he recognized his sleepiness and took it upon himself to lie down and drift off to sleep.  It sure made that flight a lot easier.

Side note:  He wore a diaper today, all day, BUT the diaper remained dry all day long.  All deposits were made in the potty.  I sure hope this means he's making the transition to being able to wear clothing on his bottom half.

Lovin'

Lapping up the LoMein at Joe's Shanghai (in Midtown)

• Xiao Long Bao (Soup dumplings)
• Easy Christmas clean up
• Holiday cards in the mailbox every day
• Chocolate lip and fingerprints on both shoulders
  
• Stacking blocks
• Dada's bedtime stories
• Quick subway rides to dinner
• Attempts to organize
• Little dance moves
• Visits on the calender
• Treadmill time

What are you Lovin'? Don't you have a handful of things that made you pause and smile today?
Go ahead and link your list below. Feel free to title it Lovin'.

Since you asked

No, I hadn't posted anything on the blog about Part Deux before the posts last week.
Yes, we did this without leaving the house.
No, there were not any medical practitioners involved.
Yes, it took *just* 10 cycles of trying.
Yes, I used over 15 pregnancy tests watching the positive line darken.
No, I didn't want anyone to know before the end of the first trimester.
No, I still don't trust my body to do what it's supposed to do.
Yes, I am still experiencing a certain level of anxiety about the health and safety of the baby.
No, I don't have my heart set on either a VBAC or a c-section.
Yes, bimonthly belly shots will resume on week 14.
Yes, we'll find out the sex around week 20 in February.
Yes, we'll be sharing the info with all of you.
Yes, we have reached the point of excitement and talk about Part Deux every day.

Happy Holidays

Hoping our holiday cards are in mailboxes by now.  Last year I hoped to be more creative this year, and it just didn't happen.  I had hoped for a few photo ops in early December, but that never came to be and I just didn't have the energy to carry out a few creative ideas.  So I cropped this photo of us in Central Park right under the fall leaves.  Oh well, there's always next year, right?

I love getting holiday cards.  Freddie has really enjoyed them this year as well, spending time each day looking through all the pictures of friends and family. 

If somehow we missed you please message me your address! 

Cupcakes

Cupcakes are a thing in NYC.  I think they're quite the thing in many places, but it seems like there are oodles of "hip" cupcake spots in the city.  I'm not complaining, just saying.  I mean who doesn't love a cupcake.

We headed to Two Little Red Hens on a rainy afternoon for some fresh air and to quench a sweets craving.  It's teeny, with only 5 tables and ten seats, so better to plan to eat it on the go.  You won't be able to walk around with that bit of delicious in a box in your hand.  I *really* like the Brooklyn Blackout and Freddie was all about the Vanilla with buttercream.

Only a few pics from the phone, and I'm sorry I didn't get more, as the cakes were beautiful.  Perhaps the next celebration, or Sunday dessert, will include a Red Hen cake.

B.F.F.s

Freddie and I are two peas in a pod.  Up until this weekend, 95% of the time I got the first kiss of the day and the last at night and a whole lot of together time in between.

Bundled and waiting for the train

I am Freddie's bud, his number 1 playmate.  We are never, ever apart.  Sure we are out and about and go to the playground and he does his own thing, but Mama is never far away or out of sight.  When Charlie's not working we do things as a trio.  I really like to do things as a family, and so, again, Mama's never very far away even when Daddy's on the scene.

And babysitters just aren't happening in our house.  Besides the cost being a deterrent, Charlie and I get plenty of together time talking, watching movies, and being together after Freddie's 7pm bedtime, so as lovely as a play or fancy dinner sound, I don't feel the need to get away from Freddie to connect with Charlie.

All that Mama time means he's definitely attached to me and not comfortable with the idea of my not being around.  That's not great for him, and it can make things complicated when and if I can't be there.  After talking about it more and more over the last few weeks we acknowledged it would be best for Freddie to learn that others can care for him and Mama is always going to come back.  And with Part Deux on the way, it was eventually going to be necessary for Freddie to be away from Mama a bit.  Time and space are going to change and I want do all we can to give him the tools to cope with this. 

We decided this weekend would begin a conscious effort to have Freddie spend more time with just Charlie, running errands, doing bedtime and nap routine, and just generally being away from Mama more and more.  I have been listening to bedtime stories behind my locked bedroom door over the monitor and disappointed to not be piled in bed with the two of them having my belly pat and cheek kissed as we listen to Charlie's sing songy reading of The Night Before Christmas.  

The calls for Mama are already fewer and he's adjusting. (He called for "Daddy" when waking from his nap.)  I knew he would, even as I worry about all the transitions he's already going through with potty training and sleeping in a bed.  He constantly reminds me that although these things are indeed difficult for him, it may be a little harder on Mama.

Lovin'

• Little bites missing from each of the apples
• Christmas tree needles scattered on the floor
• Morning visits to the elf
• Lying down with both hands on my poochy belly
• Double stroller shopping
• "Ho! Ho! Ho!"
• Puzzles, even the 30th time at 5pm
• Pats on my shoulder, face, and then tummy
• Finding the end of his pickle in my shoe
• Movie night
• Holiday cards!

What are you Lovin'? Don't you have a handful of things that made you pause and smile today?
Go ahead and link your list below. Feel free to title it Lovin'.

Big boy bed

He's the red lump!

It's been a week since Freddie has started his "transition" from the crib to the bed.  We've had the bed a few months and we spend a lot of time in it reading books, doing puzzles, and giggling under the covers.  Freddie had expressed some interest in napping in it when it first came but that never worked out and I just let it fade.  Well, now we are a bit more motivated.

I know we have some time before Part Deux will be needing the crib.  I imagine s/he will be in our room for the first six or so months, but I don't want Freddie to make the connection that he's being displaced from his crib because of the screaming mimi we've brought home from the hospital.

About half of his sleep this week has been in the bed, with night time sleep being more in the bed than the crib and naps being more in the crib than the bed.  Sometimes he starts in one and then calls me in after 30 minutes and asks to be in the other.  I always let him choose where he wants to sleep.  

Yesterday was his first time getting out of the bed at nap, and I watched him fiddle with the monitor before climbing back into bed.  I am not sure how long it'll take before he realizes that technically nothing is keeping him in the bed other than the far reaching powers of Mommy.

I suppose the tranistion would be faster if we were able to actually disasemble the crib and move it out of his room but with tiny apartment living, that's not really an option.  And for now I am ok with these baby steps.  He is my baby and looks so tiny in that bed.

He likes to get under the blankets and night, and somehow manages to stay in pretty much the same spot all night.  I put a "pool noodle" under the fitted sheet to act as a bed rail.  He hasn't fallen out and I think it's just enough of a bumper to keep him in.

The elf

I didn't bring any holiday decorations to NYC.   I left everything in our storage unit in NOLA.  I knew there wouldn't be room and I was right.  It was a little disappointing to not have anything so I ordered an advent calender since the advent calenders were my favorite thing last year.

This elf was pricey, but I LOVE him.  I also got the "stuffers" to go with him.  At first I thought it seemed a bit pricey but it was absolutely worth it.  I couldn't have found 24 items to fill the pockets for $34 and these treats were great:  a kazoo, a whistle, jingle bells, slinky, rubber lizard.  Hopefully this will be offered again next year with slightly different treats, or even better, maybe some of my NOLA peeps can send me some Mardi Gras throws to use.

It took Freddie about three days to catch on that the elf had a new surprise each day.  Now he's asking to go back to the elf in the afternoon.  His favorite surprise so far has been a tiny pig flashlight that he takes to bed with him.

First trimester screening

Dr. H called this afternoon with the results from the nuchal scan and blood work.  The results are "negative" meaning I have less than a 1/300 chance of the baby having down syndrome or trisomies 18 or 21.

Results from nuchal scan and blood work as follows:

• Down Syndrome: chances given prior to testing: 1 in 95; after testing: 1 in 3,881
• Trisomies 21 and 18:  prior to testing: 1 in 345; after testing:  1 in 6,881

These aren't as low as they were with Freddie (but my prescreening chances are lower now, maybe because I have a baby without chromosomal abnormalities?), but I know my age has something to do with that.  There are just some things about getting older than stink. 

Blood work for second trimester screening will be at my next appointment on January 14th.

Notes from the Potty

 

• Did you see his form in the video?  We have only had one foot in the potty so far.  I put the stool in the bathroom so he could get on the potty himself but now we are back to him climbing off to check out each and every poop he puts in.  I waited it out when we first started and he eventually moved to one sitting, and I know it will happen again, but man I get nervous watching him perched up there!
• If he's not wearing any bottoms he has a perfect potty day.  If I put anything on his rear he wets his pants.  I tried sweatpants without undies, but he still wets.  He usually says "potty" as he's going.  Is this something that will get better with more practice time?  We have a lot of practice time in the future with few outside days in weather forecast.
• He's had a few morning diapers and after nap diapers that have been dry.  The night time diapers being dry amaze me because he is only interested in his milk in the morning and wants nothing to do with sitting on the potty.  Usually after about 45 minutes of awake time he asks on the potty.  I am not sure how to get him to sit on the potty any sooner after waking up although I don't blame him for not wanting to get out of his warm footed fleece pajamas.
• There was one morning he drank 16 oz juice and 8 oz milk before 9am.  That was not a good morning.  He wet the floor more than he made it to the potty and was very upset each time.
• I am not sure when we'll go to no diapers during sleep.  Maybe once he masters wearing pants again?
• He doesn't like his hiney wiped.  He usually gives himself a quick round of applause and makes a break for it.  Ugh.

Part Deux Update

At 12 weeks 1 day:

Blood pressure:110/60
Weight gain: +1 (+0 at home)
PD heart rate: no measurement just heard it

Dr. H went over lab results from the first appointment and all looked good.  I really like that he went though each test rather than just giving a blanket thumbs up.  He went through the previous tests we had done at CCRM in 2008 and also drew blood to check whether I am carrier for spinal muscle atrophy and Tay-Sachs.

Prior to the appointment we went to the hospital about 10 blocks away and had the nuchal scan.  I reread through Freddie's scan and knew his measurement was 1.4 at about 13 weeks, with the average being 2.18 at 12 weeks.  Most say the standard for the measurement to be below 3.0 but there is a large percentage of positive down syndrome results if the measurement is above 2.5

Because of our experience at the first ultrasound, I was not surprised when the ultrasound technician told us before she started the only information she'd be able to give us was the measurement of the baby.  She wouldn't even measure the heart rate when Charlie inquired.  She was all business.  Frankly I was surprised she gave us any images.  I think I was able to see the nuchal measurement was 1.8 but I'm not certain.  Part Deux measured ahead one day, 12 weeks 2 days.

It was nice to see the heart beating away and some movement.  Freddie liked seeing the baby he's been kissing in Mama's tummy.  

The nuchal scan images will be reviewed by a doctor and a report will be written for Dr. H.  The technician said Dr. H does not have access to the images.  I am not so impressed by that system of things.  When I spoke with Dr. H he said he'd call on Friday with results but if I don't hear from him to call him. 

Updates when nuchal scan results are in, hopefully Friday.

Next appointment:  January 14th, 11am.

12 Weeks (and 1 day)

The Belly Shots return and I no longer have to feel guilty about wearing maternity underwear!  Don't worry, I wasn't feeling *that* guilty.

As with Freddie, things felt a little touch and go in the beginning of this pregnancy.  You can read a few posts written in the moment that I just published today.  But things are progressing and Part Deux seems to be in it for the duration.

Belly never got really back to pre-Freddie state, but I am pretty sure it was flatter than the current state.  I am thinking this 12 week belly looks a lot like 16 weeks last go round.  The angle is a bit different so it's hard to tell.  By the way, I love having belly pictures.  Freddie loves looking at them and we have been using them a lot the last few weeks to talk about the baby in Mama's belly.

The doorman asked if I was expecting last week.  Sigh.  I decided to throw in the towel and gave in to wearing maternity jeans this week.   

Estimated Due Date: June 26, 2011!

New York Aquarium

Since Saturday's weather forecast called for a toasty 43 degree day with sunshine we decided we'd get out and about.  Freddie and I have been hiding indoors the past week with high temperatures in the low 30s so a little fresh air was much appreciated.  We decided to make our way to the NY Aquarium to check things out.  I have been looking for something to do on cold winter days and thought this to be a possibility.

We hopped on the F train and made our way through Brooklyn to Coney Island.  You hear about Coney Island and I see that as the last stop on the F train all the time, but we've never been.

It was an hour long train ride from the city.  Freddie didn't mind though and was entertained by other passengers and looking out the window.

We had lunch at "world famous" Nathan's.  They host the hot dog eating contest on the boardwalk every year.  We had hot dogs and fries.  Freddie was a happy boy with fries and ketchup.  And there was a little fork with the fries which he loved.  He took a lick of the hot dog but promptly removed the little bite from his mouth.

The aquarium is tiny.  It's not very modern with small tanks and not many fish.  But thankfully there were only a handful of people and Freddie was more than tickled to look at the fish.  "Hi, big fish."  "Bye, penguin."  He was afraid of the giant bellowing walruses though and didn't even want to walk past their habitat.  I imagine it can get pretty crowded over the summer when Coney Island and the boardwalk are crawling with people.

Aquarium admission is $13 for adults and $9 for children.  Our admission was covered with the zoo membership we purchased a few weeks ago.

We walked along the boardwalk back to the subway.  Pretty deserted today but I imagine there are some sights to be seen once the weather warms.  Can't wait to snag a bench here come June.

Wash Day

The thing I bitch about most these days is having to haul the laundry to the basement and feed the washer to do our laundy.  (The weather runs a close second and may pass up the lack of a washer in house any day now.)  I used to do a load a day when we were on Bordeaux.  I like to wash the sheets every week and use a fresh towel more than once a week as wel.  I've given that up though.  Go ahead, wrinkle your nose at me.  I don't care.  It's worth not having to make the trek downstairs.

Here's about 6 days worth of laundry...in the granny cart in the hall with my helper.  I can't seem to go longer than 6 days without doing at least a load or two because there's no room to store dirty laundy in the apartment. 

My helper, as with everything, makes this trickier.  Especially when he needs to have his cheerios.

He usually likes to help load and unload but today eating was first priority.

There are only 8 washers and 8 dryers for 16 floors of apartments.  I wouldn't even dare coming in here on the weekends or in the evenings.

$1.50 to wash ($2.50 for extra large capacity), $1.50 to dry for 45 minutes (most loads require more than 45 minutes).  Laundry has averaged about $70 a month so far.  I have my eyes on "sending it out" and paying by $1 per pound for wash, dry, fold, and delivery to compare but am afraid I'll be hooked and never return to the trips to the basement no matter what the cost.

Holiday Cheer

We skipped the tree lighting last week because it was a cold, rainy evening.  So we decided to head to Rockefeller Center Sunday evening to see the tree and ice skate.

It was packed with people, and very windy and cold.  Needless to say, Freddie was not happy.  

So we quickly called it and went for burgers and fries with lots and lots of ketchup and pickles for the little man.  My southern boy is going to have a hard time this winter (along with his Mama).  I am trying to figure out exactly what we need to keep him warm and cozy this winter, right after I book our month long Caribbean getaway.

Tram Ride

Approaching the platform

Roosevelt Islanders have been talking about the return of the tram since we arrived.  All the moms have told me it will change my life.  Apparently the ride is far more pleasant than fighting your way onto a subway car or into the elevator to the subway platform (don't get me started on the people riding the elevator who should be taking the stairs).

Arriving

The tram shut down in the spring for updating and finally returned this week.  It runs over the East River along the Queensboro Bridge to 59th and 2nd.

We rode the tram home today after tree shopping.

Can you see our tree in the reflection?

It certainly beat heading down into the metro station.  There were a few folks waiting on the platform.  The stroller rolled right on and Freddie was able to look out the windows and see the cars below on the Queensboro Bridge.

It was a quick and smooth ride.  Charlie's been using it for his commute to and from work and loves it.  Fewer people, easy access, and an all around more pleasant experience than the subway.

I'll do a better job of getting some photos of the NYC skyline next time.  And I'll keep you posted on if it really changes my life.

Tree Shopping, City Style

2nd Ave., Upper East Side, 11 am on Saturday morning.  Lots of trees along the street.

We'll take it.  Wrap it up, please.

She may be little, but she's a beauty, and just perfect for our tiny home.

Making our way down to the tram.

This was probably the fastest tree shopping trip on record.   And the cheapest: 4 ft Frasier fir, $25 for the tree, $12 for the stand.

 

Perfect!

Notes from the Potty

Training pants drying on the heater last week

• I love, love, love that Freddie hasn't had a poopy diaper in what feels like ages.
• Before he was sick, we did a stint with training pants.  All 6 pair were wet before nap.  And he didn't want to take them off.  He didn't care that they were wet.  I've read that many toddlers need to go totally naked waist down because the sensation of diaper/undies triggers them to pee.
• Training pants are not widely available in sizes smaller than 2T.  I found some on Amazon in 18 months but paid a premium for them.
• One day last week he told me he needed to poop while we were on the playground.  We rushed home and he made it to the potty for poop.  He had already wet the training pants though.
• He did have some success with the training pants but not like we were having a month or so ago so I decided to take a hiatus.
• Since the weather is cold and snowy (yes, snowy...ok, its just flurries, but it is snowing!) we'll be stuck inside most of the week.  Perfect for getting back to full on potty training.
• No undies today and he peed on the potty every stinking time. I even came into the kitchen and found that potty with a pee deposit as well as the potty in the living room with a pee deposit.  So excited that he went without needing me to "whoop it up" with him.
• The little potty chairs around the house aren't my favorite place for him to make deposits.  I hate emptying them and he really would rather I didn't.  Yuck.  But I do think having a chair in the living room and one in the kitchen in addition to his seat in the bathroom has been very helpful. 
• I put him in a diaper for nap and I am pretty sure it was dry when he woke up.  It's so hard to tell with disposables, so I saved it for Charlie.  Smile.  He thought it was dry too!