Water Taxi Ride

We see the water taxi cruise by on the East River pretty regularly, and so we decided to check it out since Jessica was in town and Freddie's been asking to take a ride for a while now. 

The water taxi has a few stops throughout the city, and passangers are able to hop on and off, making ther way through the city.  We opted to just stay on through the stops and take a 90 minute harbor tour.

We didn't end up taking the taxi that passes by our apartment (a little disappointing since Freddie talked about seeing our friends as we went by) but it was a nice way to see the city. 

If we were trying to take in several areas of the city in one day, it'd be a nice way to get around, but for a family with two young children just riding around the harbor for 90 minutes was perfect.

Brooklyn Bridge under repair

Some notes:

• Water Taxi ride is hop on/hop off but totals 90 minutes on the water
• $28 adults, $17 children

24 Months

Appearance:

• Blonde, blonde, blonde
• Farmer's tan
• Thunder thighs that apparently rub together because you're chaffed with the summer humidityYour blonde hair is thickening.  I'm going to be a teeny bit sad when I can no longer see the big brown freckle atop your head.

Personality:

• You're developing a sense of humor.  I love hearing your giggle.
• Still shy but you get out there and join in.  Today you saw a daddy of one of your friends and you came and got me and brought me over to him because you wanted to say hello.
• You really like your friends, especially James.  You always rattle off a long list of names of who was outside at the playground to play.

Spinach!

Language:

• Complete sentences.  
• Big vocabulary.
• You tell little stories.
• It is fun to have conversations with you at meals.  You like to say "um..." before answering a question.
• You LOVE to talk.  "I say something!"  "It's my turn to talk."  You and Freddie are always competing for airtime.

Trying to put your new jacket...on your legs.

Motor:

• Speed demon on the scooter.  At least now you know how to step on the break but you mainly drag your foot along to slow down.
• You are doing really well with getting your undoes off on your own.  You can get your pjs off, tops and bottoms, all on your own.  You're working really hard to get dressed on your own.  Usually both feet end up in the same leg and lots of frustration ensues when I help.  I think you'd rather just walk around with both legs in the same undie hole than accept my help.
• You jump, jump, jump.  And climb.  Your balance is fantastic.
• You go up and down stairs all on your own without holding on to anything.
• Pedaling is the summer goal.  You're getting there.

Diet:

• You like your greens!
• You're still not totally into my "three meals and one snack a day" eating regimen, but you're getting there.  You don't ask for snacks as often.
• "Try that" is what I hear when you notice something different that I'm eating. 
• Lately we've been sharing wraps.  I think I may start wraps as your lunch rather than a pbj.

Showing Mama some bugs

Likes:

• Tunnels and bridges!  You point them out everywhere and are constantly creating them with random building materials.
• Anything that Freddie has!
• Still very much into cars and trains, but you also like animals.  
• Dancing.  "Like that song, Mama," you say as you bob your head to the beat of a song.
• The beach, and digging.  You also like the ocean although you won't go in without company.

Dislikes:

• Waiting and sharing.  Typical two year old.

Potty:

• You are wearing a diaper at nap.  You'd been on the air mattress with Jessica here and I didn't want any mess.  And you've been taking advantage of the diaper, letting me know when you pee in it rather than getting up to pee when you wake.  I understand your desire to lounge in bed a bit, but you're a big boy now!
• No accidents to speak of.
• Dada's been working on standing to pee with you.  I'm not exactly on board, but being able to pee on trees has come in handy lately.
• I think we'll aim to get rid of the nighttime diaper towards the end of August.
• You take your pants and undies off and climb up on the potty all by yourself!  Yeehaw!  I love independence.

2 Year Well Visit

Hans' Stats:

Height:  34 inches (45th percentile)
Weight:  28.5 lbs (55th percentile)
Head circumference:  She didn't do this.  not sure why.  Freddie had his measured at this age.

Vaccinations:

• Hep A (2nd dose)

My concerns:

• Perhaps a lazy eye:  She didn't notice anything but said seeing an eye doctor is never a bad idea.  She said it is fairly common to have one eye that is weak. She gave me a name so I will most likely get him in to see someone in August.
• Inconsolable crying:  He can cry for about 30-45 minutes at times.  It can be triggered by almost anything, which doesn't concern me, but the duration is concerning.  He has a hard time self soothing (or being soothed) or moving on when upset.  She said given the age, it's not a concern but something to watch to make sure frequency and duration decreases.  

Her concerns:

• None.  All healthy.  Chatty, engaging.  Even though he's been stuffy for a few weeks, his ears were clear, thankfully.
• She asked about his breathing and recommended I bring his nebulizer when we travel in a couple weeks.  She said I can call her while we are away if I notice he is struggling rather than taking him to an urgent care clinic.

A med student did the measurements today and I don't think they are entirely accurate.  Dr. G offered to redo them, but I didn't think it was necessary.  He's growing, and that's really all the info needed.

He got one vaccination and no tears!  He said he was going to be brave and Freddie offered his hands.  Big boy.  I was a little concerned as he listened to the patients before us screaming in the examination rooms and then watched them leave with red teary eyes.  Big boy!

Dr. G asked me to tell the med students observing her about potty training a child under the age of two. I don't think they were mamas yet so I don't think they really get the potty training mystique, but imagine they'll hear all about it one day when they start seeing patients.  

Next appt:  Three year well visit to be scheduled at a later date.  I opted to not do the 2.5 year well visit just because there aren't any vaccinations and Dr. G doesn't have any concerns.  We'll see her in the fall for flu shots and I image we'll see her often enough once cold and flu season gets under way.

Celebrating Two

There was a drive to the beach (and donuts for breakfast.)

A beautiful sunshiney day spent digging and eating snacks.

Your brother was even rather kind to you today.

There was chocolate in the form of a cupcake.

Complete with singing, which you LOVE, and candles to blow.

 

 

 

And lots and lots of gifts.

Happy birthday, sweet boy.  You're T-W-O!  Really.  We love you.

Two!

35

Art Appreciation

We visited The Metropolitan Museum of Art this week.  Hans stomped through the galleries before they filled (to the brim) with visitors.  Hearing the loud echo as his foot hit the wood floor was probably the highlight of the trip for him.  He picked out the kittens, puppies, birds, bridges, tunnels, and horses in paintings as we wandered the galleries.  We did discuss several paintings of nude women.  It was the same conversation each time:

     Hans:  (pointing)  Look, Mama.  A boy.

     Mama:  It's a mama, not a boy.

     Hans: No, a boy.

     Mama: Nope, a mama.

     Hans: Noooooooooo, it's a boy!

We've got lots of discussions ahead of us, that's for sure.

Color Coordinated

Suits and scooters must coordinate!  Headed to the pool.  They scoot even faster with their goggles on.

Swim Team

Sorry, best pic that could be gotten.  No parents allowed on the deck.  Serious business.

Freddie's been swimming three days a week with the swim team on the island.  Although he knows how to swim, he is now working on learning the strokes and proper form.  He works hard, takes it very seriously, and listens to his teachers, all things he doesn't necessarily do for mama at the pool.

Working with a large group is good for Freddie because he is more willing to push himself outside of his comfort zone when he sees his peers performing.  And just like tennis, the best part as far as he's concerned is he gets to sit in between all of the girls and chat.  When he's kicking down the lane, he often looks over at us to sneak in a quick wave and to check to see if we're cheering for him per his instructions. 

I'm loving watching him in these "extra curricular" activities.  It will be interesting in the next few years to see what he chooses, but for now I just want to expose him to as much as possible. 

Dada according to Freddie

My dad is maybe 31 years old.

His hair is the same as mine and his eyes are blue.

My dad likes to wear sunglasses.

He likes to eat turkey.

My dad works hard at making proteins and crystals.

It makes my dad happy when stays home with me all day.

If he could go on a trip he would go to New Orleans and he would take an airplane .

I really love it when my dad helps me take turns.

If I could give my dad anything it would be his own workshop.

My favorite thing about my dad is his hugs.

Happy Father's Day

Tennis Pro

Freddie has joined a "tennis league."  He attended his first class yesterday and loved it.  It is 1.5 hours weekly which is probably more than enough tennis for a four year old. They did running drills, tossed the ball, talked about the court, and worked on form.  Freddie's preferred form involved a little hand on hip action, a mix of sass and pirate stance.  

Best part of class as far as he's concerned:  a bossy girl in pigtails to lead him around.  Having his friend Eric there was just icing on the cake.  

If his hand didn't have a ball or a racket in it she grabbed it!

Trio

Freddie, Hans, Papi with Sun and Tree

I drew my bones, too!

Lovin'

On the High Line

• A visitor
• Wandering the city
• Darker skin and lighter hair
• Company during morning workouts
• Wine, wine, wine
• Uninterrupted conversations
• Girl talk
• Free therapy
• Nights out
• Broadway plans