Radio City Christmas Spectacular

We hadn't planned to go this year, but Freddie asked, and so there was no way we were going to skip.  He told everyone we ran into "I'm going to see the Rockettes."  The folks in the elevator just stared, the doorman chuckled, and his friends were clueless.   I love his excitement. 

Refusing to pose.  Little stinker.

Getting there went down just like last time: wanting to jab my eyeballs out as I got everyone suited up for the performance and onto the subway during rush hour to meet Charlie.  Once again all of the tension left my body once we emerged from the subway and Hans began saying "light, light, light" and Freddie became absolutely giddy over the holiday decorations everywhere. 

I told the boys Santa arrived in NYC tonight for the show with the Rockettes, so now we can pay him a visit at Macy's.  This Santa stuff is fun.

I was afraid Hans was at a tough age for it, but he LOVED it. He spent the first 45 minutes on my lap munching on popcorn and bobbing his head, and the second 45 minutes he spent standing at the railing waving to everyone on stage and dancing up a storm.  He pointed and named animals, the bus, and the "choochoo." 

I'm not quite sure Freddie picked up the story involved in the production, although he tends to surprise me with these sorts of things.  I know he enjoyed the "event":  organs, orchestra, costumes, tap dancing, clapping, popcorn.  I'm sure this year sealed our attendance as a yearly event.  A tradition.

Some notes:

• This year I bought a little after tickets were released and was able to get tickets at half price ($23 in the balcony).  More deals came along, lots more deals, but I am glad I purchased early as having the first row of the balcony makes it so much easier for the boys to enjoy.  They are able to stand and don't have to worry about seeing over an adult in front of them.  
• We were there earlier in the season, and the show was more crowded.  Last year we went in mid December.  I wonder if this is because the seats get more expensive as Christmas approaches.
• I didn't bring the stroller, again, for fear of a huge wait to pick it up after being checked.  I'm not sure I'll need one next year because Hans will be older and able to walk, but it looked as the each level had a separate stroller check and the lines weren't so bad.
• We went to the 5pm show and the boys were in bed right after 7pm.  Although that did mean they had popcorn for supper.  Expensive popcorn.
• Freddie was bummed we didn't buy any ornaments or trinkets this year.  I wanted one too but we spent all of our cash on snacks!
• Next year I'll get a photo of the four of us.  Or spring for the Radio City photographer to photo us with the Rockettes and Santa. 

Dance, Dance, Dance

I had only heard the music from his bedroom for quite some time, so I knew something was up.  This kid is something else. 

Lovin'

He's been making his bed all by himself. Smile

• Just a minute, Mommy.  I'm going to make my bed first.
• Anticipating December
• Wrapped packages
• Sound sleep
• Slippers
• Down parka
• Hot chocolate mustaches
• UPS and FedEx
• Amaryllis on the window sill
• Watching football with all three of my guys
• Snow in the forecast
• Successful playdates
• Morning snuggles

17 Months (and 4 days)

Appearance:

• You seem to be thinning out and getting taller.  We'll visit Dr. G soon.
• Your hair is filling in and is looking curly, especially when we were in NOLA.
• A big round belly that you love to pat and show.  And that belly button is definitely an outie.
• You probably weigh 25ish pounds still. 

Motor:

• You've been working on stairs a lot.  You prefer to do it without help.  You'll crawl up most of the time but take steps heading down while holding on to the rail.  Although Freddie has taught you to slide down on your belly, head first, on GG's carpeted stairs.
• You're a pro at drinking out of a regular cup.  
• Running is a preferred mode of transport, although you often trip over your feet.
• You are getting your sweaters and shirts off, and like to try to get them on by yourself as well but you haven't had too much success yet. 

Sleep:

• 11-12 hours at night, usually 7-6.45ish
• 2-3 hour naps
• Still in your crib, but only for a another month or so
• You go down easily, and rarely put up a fight.
• You call "Maaaaama" when you wake up.

Personality:

• Lots more smiling lately, although folks from our flights might disagree.  You are generally more smiley with strangers than you have been.
• Still stubborn.  I have given up on trying to redirect/distract you when you have your mind set on something you cannot have.  It's a firm no, and I walk away.  And you follow me, crying.  I always outlast you.
• Cuddley with Mama, Dada, and especially with Freddie 

Vocabulary:

• I have been able to note a few words this month, but your vocabulary grows daily.
• Walk...you grab my hand and say "walk" when you want to take me to see something
• Shoes
• Go...said to get out of seat or pointing to the door ready to get going
• Flush
• Elf
• Wipe
• Boogie, as in needing a tissue for boogies
• Tissue
• Guy...all of the little figures you play with
• Fish
• Goldfish
• Help
• All Done
• Airplane
• You've been saying eye and nose but now you'll point to my eye and say "eye" and then the other and say "other eye"
• Football
• Tree
• Backpack
• Towel
• Where are you..."Daaaadaaaaa, where are you?"
• Bite, you've been saying this a while but now he says it to let me know he is hungry
• Animal
• There....You work very hard to get something situated and then he says "There!"
• No is a popular word to let me know when there isn't any...no puppy, no water, no treat, no Dada

Likes:

• Reading books.  You spend time alone flipping through books and babbling the story to yourself.  You also love being read to, and now will talk about the pictures without my even asking you.  
• You really, really love trains.  We will have to expand the train set we have.
• Your pretend play is really taking off.  You will feed your animals and dolls, eat pretend meals from the play kitchen, make lots of train and car noises, make "super hero" sound effects as you blast through the house.  It is so fun to watch,
• Bike!  You ask to ride your tricycle whenever we go outside.  You can just about reach the pedals.
• You get very excited any time you see water.  This includes when the lid to the toilet is lifted.  I've heard you splashing in there more than once this month.
• You also get very excited when you lay eyes on dogs, and you may have gotten more comfortable with dogs approaching you.  
• Eating.  You are a chowhound my dear. 
• You are singing more often, and especially love doing the motions for the Itsy Bitsy Spider.

Dislikes:

• Diaper changes
• Nose wipes
• Sharing.  Sigh.  I suppose you'll get better, and imagine you are especially bad with this because you are influenced by a big brother snatching things.

You're not afraid of goats!

Potty training:

• I'm holding off until the new year, but you are ready!
• If your diaper is off and you have to pee you get really fussy and then look down before you peeing.  
• You have told me "poopoo" a handful of times before you poop. 

Cousins

Cheese!

Thanksgiving

You know you've been in New York too long when...

You call a dozen glaze donuts bagels!  Yikes!

Freddie loves a good bagel smathered with cream cheese, but he certainly can't put away four in a row.  Yep, the boy downed four warm glazed donuts.  I bet he doesn't confuse these for bagels ever again.

8 Years

Marking this date has certainly evolved from grandiose to simple, but the commitment has never felt more grand.  We've got this life.  Each other.  These babies.  And I am so very thankful for all of it. 

I'm thankful you tell me I'm beautiful even with the crusty snot on my shoulder (and in my hair).  I'm thankful you scrub the booster seats after pasta night.  I'm thankful you send me text messages to let me know you're outside the building, waiting to wave to the me and boys.  I'm thankful you tell me about your day, listen to Freddie yammer on about his, and always remember to ask about mine.

You're a catch, Charlie.  You're mine.  Forever.

Cousin Time

It's better than the museum.  And better than feeding the ducks.  There's really nothing better than hanging with your cousins.  This also means Mama is hanging with her sisters, and there's nothing better than that either.

Coming in as a close second...

With a tiny grocery, complete with a working cash register and a tank of (pretend) crabs, the Louisiana Children's Museum ranks high on Freddie's list of favorite spots in the city, and that's saying a lot. 

Our days have been filled with friends and family, park visits, duck feedings, zoo excursions, and shopping trips.  Sleep has been well earned and dreams have been sweet. 

I'll take the camera out tomorrow and get back to some blogging.  I always regret not taking more photos on our NOLA visits. 

No place I'd rather be...

Feeding the ducks in Audubon Park is the most anticipated event of any NOLA visit. 

Punctuate

Freddie:  STOP it. Haaaaaaans.

Mama:  Freddie, cool it with the yelling.

Freddie:  I'm just using an exclamation point, Mom. 


I suppose we need a follow up conversation on punctuation. 

He makes me smile

Lovin'

His days in the carrier are numbered.  And that makes me a bit sad.

• Those eyes looking up at me
• Packed bags
• Relaxed routines
• Talk of cousins
• Writing thank you notes
• Fleece gloves
• Packages
• Windowsill gardening
• Play date planning
• Finding New Orleanians in NYC
• Our little library
• Charlie Brown

Halloween, Take 2

Freddie's class finally had their Halloween parade and party.

Too bad he wouldn't even look at me.  It's ok though.  I like watching him with his friends.

And we trick or treated in our building.

It didn't take Hans long to understand what the steps were to get candy.  He'd knock, select his candy, and say "Thank you."

Two little pieces of candy waiting to be traded in.

He'd go right in to get to the bowl first.

But once he got going he liked holding the candy in his hand but he'd gently set it down to knock.  When presented with the bowl, he'd place his pieces in and choose two new pieces.  Off he'd go to do it again.

They left me!

We didn't get many pictures of Freddie because he was running ahead with his pack of friends.  He loved it, but I missed seeing his reaction at every door.  It's been a full Halloween "season" for us, and we've enjoyed it all.  Thankfully we have a bit of a lull before the next round of festivities begins.

Snow!

We had our first snow last night courtesy of the nor'easter.  It started off as a rainy day, but eventually the raindrops turned to snowflakes.  A few inches lasted overnight, but it was slushy.  But we had to get out in the first snow. 

Everyone got bundled up right after breakfast and we hurried out to the hill.  We had the hill to ourselves, probably due in part to the snow being a bit thin, but it also being a school and work day meant everyone had somewhere to be.

Thankfully Charlie hung out to partake in Hans' inaugural run on the sled and his first real snow experience.  I definitely appreciated the help getting everyone suited up.   I like seeing the snow, and I love seeing Freddie's excitement over playing in the snow, but man it is a whole lot of work for this mama. 

Hans was less than impressed with the gear and the snow.  His range of motion was limited in those boots and suit.  And the snow was cold and wet.

When he finally figured out how to walk in his boots he stuck to the puddles. 

Freddie enjoyed a few runs and even tried out his skis.

I hope we get more snow so he gets some time on those skis before heading to the mountains.  

Nothing like getting the day started with playing in the snow before work and school.

Hans is not happy with the wet, cold snow on his hands!

And nothing like coming home to warm up!