48 hours

There's been a rainy day lounging, cuddling, and some swinging.

Foggy morning duck feeding at Audubon Park.

The swan came by and scared the ducks off but he was pretty impressive.

Sunshine and a 70+ degree day at City Park.

With a visit to the sculpture garden.

It took a while for him to grasp that this was a spider.

Can you see him reaching for the beads way up in the oaks?

Thanks for the push, Aunt Lizzie!

Don't worry, I'll get to the eating part soon enough! 

Home Sweet Home

A feast fit for a Louisiana girl:  Boiled crabs at Charlie's on Saturday night, 3 males and 3 females, as requests.

Snow day

Walking to the mailbox.

Don't get too close to the buildings.  You just might get hit on the head with snow dropping from the eaves or roof.

Thankfully someone plowed.

Heading to check out the playground.

Hmm, everyone seems to want to be on the swings.

Too crowded so off we go.

Hard to balance on the ice.

Watching the big kids is very informative and thankfully someone offers a lesson in just how to play in the snow.

Southern Mamas are not schooled in making snowballs and sliding down hills.

A successful hour outside, since getting dressed took a mere 40 minutes and we returned with dry undies and feet. 

Potty Note

This morning was the 4th morning in a row I made it a priority to get Freddie out of his diaper upon waking up.  I've been able to get him up and on the potty within 15 minutes of getting out of bed.  It is also the 4th morning in a row his diaper has been dry.  Freddie and I are travelling tomorrow for a week, and I hope I can keep up the pottying pace in the mornings.  He seems to be interested in the fact that his diaper is dry in the mornings so I am hoping this begins to translate to his initiating potty use as soon as he wakes up.

One other note:  He's in undies the rest of the day and has been accident free.  He's asking for the potty more often just for pee and continues to ask if he has to poop.  No accidents during nap time.  Thank goodness!

Play time!

It's the middle of January, temperatures are in the low 30s, and slushy snow covers the ground.  Cabin fever has set in.  I know I'm not the only one.  I can see the crazed look in the eye of almost every woman passing us with a child.

 

Many buildings have "play rooms" that offer a place for parents and children to congregate, to get out of the apartment, play with some different toys, and interact with others.  Unfortunately our building does not have such a little spot.  I know what to look for next time I'm faced with finding an apartment in a city that has winter for what seems like 6 months out of the year.

 

It isn't surprising that pay to play spots are all over the city.  Places like My Gym, Gymboree, and Little Gym are just a few that offer classes for toddlers and open up for "free play" time during the day.  The fee generally runs about $200/month for one 45 minute class per week and some free play sessions.  Ouch.  Most places seem to offer free play sessions that coincide with nap time so we'd be unlikely to take advantage of that unstructured play time in the space.

Thankfully my time online is paying off and I've managed to find some deals via doodledeals.  It's like Groupon but all the deals are kid or mom centered.  Most deals have involved things like birthday parties or music lessons but I have seen a few things like eyelash extensions and botox treatments.  Haven't scooped up any cosmetic surgery deals quite yet, but we have been getting some indoor playtime on the "cheap," $15 per session rather than $25-30.

And Freddie loves, loves, loves it.  We've been to a few open play sessions and he's all over the place, moving nonstop from the time we enter.  His favorite is the trampoline.  Unfortunately our first attempt to go to a class was foiled because of closures due to snow.  Of course.

Thanks, Rebekah and Freddy for the company, and the pictures!

23 Months

Appearance:

• I'm still not seeing those back molars out but you put your fingers back there pretty regularly and tell me "hurt" so I assume they're on the way.
• You look like a big boy to me.  Dada and I looked at you in bed while you were sleeping the other day and commented how big you look.  And your haircut really makes you look mature.
• You seem to be filling in as well.  
• 23 lbs on Mama's scale.
• 31.5 inches as measured by Dada's tape measure

Diet:

• Your milk drinking has decreased but I think that has a lot to do with your not having a sippy filled with milk to suck on at all times.  Milk drinking from a cup happens at the table only.  
• Milk intake has decreased but overall eating is at an all time high.  
• Bagels and cream cheese are a big favorite right now.
• You're still not much of an evening eater.

Vocabulary:

• You've started using "you" and "me" and "I."
• "Self" is a new one, and I am trying to be patient with this even when you are at your wits end with something but you still exclaim "self!"
• You're putting more and more words together on your own. 
• When I ask you if you'd like something you often say "Yea, sure."  Sometimes it's "yes, please."
• You've definitely got down the times to say "please," "thank you," and "excuse me."  The "excuse me"s crack me up and generally bring a smile to faces of strangers.
• You're starting to tell folks (other than Daddy and me) "good morning" especially when we pass them in hall or join them in the elevator.
• You're calling people by name...Papi ("Papi computer?"), Rebekah, Freddy, Reggie and Mel (our doormen who you love!).  You'll even name yourself in pictures, sometimes saying "Me" and sometimes "Freddie."

Peeling an orange.  "Freddie, Do you want help?"  "No! Self!"

Personality:

• Um, well, you're certainly everything I've heard two to be.  You're demanding, emphatic, independent, and just an all around pepper at times.  We're working to appropriately channel this without, well, squashing it.  Those aren't bad traits per se but I want you to use your powers for good, my dear.
• As often as you want to play with me you're also wanting your space.  At the little gym you have told me "Bye" and pushed me away.  And off I go to watch you from across the room.
• You really, really want to be with other kids.  I see this so strongly when we go to play at the little gym.  You may engage in an activity by yourself for a moment, but you continuously head over to try to join someone else in the activity they are involved in.  You'll help them roll the ball their pushing along or imitating their jumping or tumbling.  Sometimes the other kids don't exactly appreciate it, but when that's the case you just keep moving and find someone else to join.

Mommy, I dressed!

Backwards pants, bur did it by "self"

Motor:

• Jump, jump around!  You love to get all three of us moving, pulling us from our seats and then instructing to "Jump!"  I also think your favorite activity at the little gym is the trampoline. 
• You are into hanging and swinging and are pulling your legs up higher and higher.  Unfortunately I didn't hold onto you long enough at the gym on the bar, and when you dropped onto the mat on your back it startled you enough that you're not going back on.  For now you're sticking to the bar on the treadmill where your feel can touch the ground when you want.
• You push your chairs all over the house and climb on top of everything.
• You're working on doing tumble sets.  The head goes down, the bottom goes up, and you want to be pushed through to roll.  You get a kick out of seeing Dada roll on your rug.

Going to the "grocery to get coke"

Likes:

• The Itsy Bitsy Spider.  I hear you humming this often and you love for us to sing it together.  You especially love the "washed the spider out" part.  You say it very emphatically.
• Reading books.  You read to yourself a lot.
• Mickey Mouse.  You love those Mickey underwear.
• Pretending.  You jump in the cardboard boxes and pretend to be driving.  "Goodbye"  And then you tell me you are going to buy "coke."
• A tower of legos easily becomes a place or a rocket complete with sound effects.
• You pretend to go "night night" periodically during the day complete with snoring sounds.
• Cars and trucks
• Showing us the red bus going by
  

Dislikes:

• Heights.  You're afraid of heights.  At the gum you won't go into the raised structures.  You'll climb the steps, but head right back down.  In the tram you like to be held and will even whimper a bit as we go up or the cabin swings a little.  I don't blame you though.  Makes me uneasy as well.

Sleep:

• Daddy's been doing the bedtime routine with you.  You usually just run out and give me a hug and a kiss while gathering your blankets and Tigey.
• You've been  in the big boy bed full time for a while now.  Sometimes you ask to get in the crib, but it's usually to jump around or just check things out.  We've started talking about how you're giving this bed to the baby.
• Getting into bed routine has to start a little earlier these days because you've become to master procrastinator.  
• You're napping 2-3 hours each afternoon.
• watch and just wait, resisting the urge to go in and tell you to get back in bed this instant.  You are tired, and you know you are tired, but you're feeling out the boundaries and your independence.  I understand that.  You eventually settle yourself and drift off to sleep.
• You're sleeping from 7.30ish to 6.30ih each night.
• You have been a little restless beginning around 3 am, calling and asking for water or a sip of milk.  If we ignore your calls you usually go back to bed, but are calling again in an hour.  After your sip, you ask for a hug and a kiss and wave goodbye.  I'm hesitant to leave you with a big glass of water because I want to keep you on track to be diaper free at night in the coming months.

Potty:

• You're in diapers from 7 to 7 without accidents.
• I usually remind you to sit on the potty every 2 hours or so.
• You're telling me you have to potty more and more often so I don't have to remind you as often.
• You are so proud of your "dry" undies.  

My favorite part of the weekend

 

My guys, in the kitchen on Saturday morning.

The pancakes were delicious, too.

For the record

Freddie says the baby is a GIRL.

I've asked him several times today in different contexts if the baby is a "boy or a girl," and I've even asked if the baby is "a girl or a boy"...and every time the answer is the same.  He very emphatically says "Girl!"

Broccoli, Cheese, and Rice Casserole

We do lots of stuff with potatoes but not so much with rice so I've been looking for some new dishes to try out.  Have any to send my way?

Hate to call this "casserole" because Charlie cringes at the mention of casserole for supper.  Actually it wasn't very casserole-y, but I did put it in a baking dish and cover it with cheese, so it's a casserole, right?  It would have been good just warmed in the pot and served as "cheesy broccoli rice" as well.

Charlie like it.  I liked it.  I'll do it again, perhaps with a few adjustments as noted below.

I based this recipe off over several I skimmed online, not one in particular.  Again, I used what was on hand.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups small broccoli florets, I used fresh
• 3 cups cooked rice
• 1 cup milk, I used whole
• 2 cups shredded cheese, I used a cheddar blend
• 1 chicken bouillon cube
• 1 small to medium sized onion, chopped
• 1 cup chopped celery
• 1 toe garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons butter

Instructions:

1. Melt butter in pot and add onions, celery, and garlic.  
2. Cook vegetables until they are clear, about 15 minutes.
3. Add broccoli and stir until broccoli begins to become tender, about 5-10 minutes.
4. Dissolve bouillon cube in milk.
5. Add milk mixture to veggies, stirring until warm. 
6. Stir in rice.
7. Stir in 1 cup of cheese and mix thoroughly.
8. Pour rice mixture into backing dish and sprinkle with remaining cup of cheese.
9. Cover with foil and bake at 350 degrees for about 20 minutes.  
10. Remove foil and bake an additional 10-15 minutes until cheese is beginning to brown and casserole is warm throughout.

Notes:

• I'd like to provide measurements for celery in terms of "stalks" but when I made tomato soup  I chopped the remaining celery and put in freezer for future use.  Loved having this all chopped and ready in the freezer.  I also liked not looking at wilting celery in my fridge all week.  I suppose I should figure out how many stalks are in a cup.
• We were having sir fry for dinner so there was lots of fresh broccoli and cooked rice on hand.  I like to plan meals for the week that use similar ingredients.  It was nice to prepare the broccoli for the stir fry and casserole as well as cook all of the rice at once.  This cut down on prep for the next meal.
• I imagine you could use frozen broccoli if this is something you keep on hand.
• Be careful with the salt.  The bouillon is pretty salty and my rice had a bit of salt in it as well.  I would have preferred to have only used 2 cups cooked rice with 2 cups broccoli, but needed more rice to cut the salt.  Next time I'll use less bouillon and rice or more broccoli.
• A few recipes have more milk and eggs.  Not so sure about this, but I guess this would make it more of a casserole. 
• There were lots of recipes that called for cheese whiz, condensed soup, and crushed Ritz crackers....definite casserole ingredients.  Don't think we'll go this route though.

18 Weeks

I am feeling PD move a lot!  I've been feeling movements since about 15 weeks which I love.  It may be the only thing about pregnancy that I love, actually.  Charlie can feel him/her too.  I am so thankful for this reassurance that s/he is alive and kicking in there, and s/he's definitely kicking.  Part wild boar perhaps because it seems I am hungry all the time as well.  This is really an active baby or maybe I am just getting to experience it more since my placenta was anterior with Freddie making it difficult to feel early movement or slighter motions.

I'm feeling fine, just tired.  Tired in the morning.  Tired in afternoon.  Tired in the evening.  Just a way of life I imagine.

It's getting to the point where sleeping on my belly, my preferred sleep position, is uncomfortable but since I'm so tired I haven't been having much trouble falling asleep on my side or back.  Staying asleep is a different story though.

18 down, 22 to go.  And only a few more weeks before we can start calling PD by name.  Anatomy scan is set for Monday, February 7th at 8am.