Storytime

In bed waiting for Mama to come.

The three of us spend all of our time together but there's not much the three of us can all *do* together.  But reading stories is something we all enjoy, especially the Mama. 

 Both boys are still and quiet.  Both boys giggle.  And there's usually snuggling involved, too!

Take me out to the ballgame

This apple made an impression on Freddie.  There's another inside the stadium.  He's still talking about these apples.

Recently we were able to take in a little fresh air, sunshine, and a double header at Citifield, Mets v. Rockies.

We hopped on the train, made a relatively easy transfer, and were to Citifield in about 30-40 minutes.  Thankfully the transfer is handicapped accessible, that is, there is an elevator for the stroller.  Unfortunately the subway stop for Citifield has quite a few stairs and no elevator.  There are Thursday afternoon games throughout the season and I would love to take both boys to games, but I need to figure out how to make that happen sans stroller.

Freddie liked checking out the field between games.

We opted for a Mets game over a Yankees game mostly because the Mets aren't as in high demand as Yankees.  I figured it was a good way for us to warm up before making our way to Yankee Stadium.

Freddie has done his share of footballl viewing and lately has been interested in "shooting baskets" but he hasn't really had any baseball exposure.  Our seats in the "family section" did not allow for viewing conducive to teaching anything about the sport.  But true to all of our other adventures, from Jazzfest to zoo trips to ferris wheel riding, there was lots for Freddie to observe and learn from.

We had a middle school baseball team sitting in front of us so there was *lots* to watch.  A couple of boys introduced Freddie cotton candy....yummy.  He also picked up the "Let's Go Mets" chant rather quickly, and then Charlie had a long talk with him about booing... and we especially don't boo our own team, no matter how pathetic they are....poor, poor Mets.

 It was a nice way to spend the afternoon, especially with the spring weather.  I can see many games in our future as Freddie gets more experience with baseball/t-ball.

Next big adventure:  A Yankees Game!

Some details I learned for future trips:

• Family seating area tickets are $20 adults, $10 kids.  Mr. Met visits.  Rows 6 through the back row are covered by the terrace and provide good protection from the sun/rain.  There was a family restroom in the area.
• Freddie doesn't weigh enough to sit in his own seat.  It folds up on him.
• The terrace seats range from $12-15.  The top 5 rows seem to be protected from the weather.

The Weekend

• Sunshine Saturday
• Rainy Sunday
• 55 degrees
• Central Park stroll
• Sunglasses
• Visiting the seals
• New spring shirts for the Daddy
• Dinosaur bones
• Long naps
• People watching
• Subway transfers
• Tram rides
• Leftovers
• 'Nuggles

Central Park Zoo

NYC skyline surrounds the zoo

Saturday morning was spent at the Central Park Zoo. It's one stop away from us on the F train on the east side of Central Park.  We've walked by several times but decided to check things out this weekend.

We went ahead and got a membership, but admission is $12 for adults and $7 for kids.

The zoo is tiny.  I mean tiny!  I could probably count the number of exhibits on my fingers.  There aren't any lions or tigers or elephants.  But they did have some very active sea lions.

Freddie could have sat and watched them, and the other kids, all day.

The polar bears were also pretty busy playing and swimming.

Big polar bear

I liked how the exhibits were designed to allow viewing from Freddie level with the enclosures being plexiglass.  He could have had a great view even in the stroller.

Checking out some little monkeys

Freddie was tickled by everything and loved checking everything out.  He walked (and wore himself out) all over and thankfully seemed to have no problems following our lead and instructions. We didn't make it to see the "tropic zone" or to the children's (petting) zoo.  So I suppose for being on the small size it's just the right sized for what we need.

Hooting at an owl

 We had a quick lunch in the cafe before heading home on the train.

The three of us really enjoyed the morning.  It was pretty perfect.

6 years ago today..

 

...Charlie joined Team E-Wee.  Best day ever.
 
Well, last year it was slideshows and pop up cards.  This year...well, there weren't any cards or diamond earrings or fancy dinners, but I can't complain.  There were flowers and sleeping late and breakfast together and a long morning in the park.  Just another day for Team E-Wee.

I've got everything I want.  Each day is filled with smiles and laughter and kisses and love.  *I have all I've ever wanted*.  Thank you for sharing this life with me.  Happy Anniversary.

By the way, Freddie and I have been watching this slideshow each day for the past week.  We are certainly Better Together and getting better and better each and every day.

Together Time

Charlie touched up my roots, honing his coloring skills in case science doesn't work out, and we watched our "shows."  (I couldn't stay awake for the football game.  Damn eastern time zone 8.30pm start time.)

*Side note:  I got the formula from my hair dresser before we left NOLA.  $25 got me enough color for an all over cover and a root touch up.  Yay!  There was also a little internet research, some youtube viewing, and husband convincing as well, but so worth it!  It's a savings of at least $200, and I get some QT with Charlie.

Us

Charlie

• Stress headachy
• In need of fresh air and sunshine
• Keeping up with his haircut
• Days away from a PhD
• The newly crowned family genius
• Craving a balanced meal
• Planning dining experiences

Freddie:

• Stuffy
• Likes bouncing around to Bob Marley
• Cracks himself up
• Pizza lover
• Scuffed up
• Giving tights squeezes
• Pine cone collector 
• Climbing

Erin:

• Wishes her kid would blow his nose or at least sniff
• Missing her husband
• Needing a full night's sleep
• Dreams include ice cream almost every night
• Misses afternoon (or all day) thunderstorms
• 129 lbs.
• Bumped up the pace
• Looking forward to fall visitors

Bye Bye, Dada

Here's the plan

I am a planner.  I write things down.  I make lists.  I keep a calender.  I do things in advance.

Yes, the last few months have been a challenge for me. 

We have a (tentative) plan for the next month, so that makes me feel so much better.  Seriously.  I cannot even begin to explain how good settling these few things with Charlie makes me feel.

• Charlie's parents will drive his truck from Denver to NOLA, loaded with the majority of the things I've been using here, i.e. tricylce, jog stroller, toys.
• Freddie and I will fly to NOLA on or around August 24th.
• A final trip to the POD will be made on or around August 25th to toss in all items we won't need until settling in NYC.  I've created a spreadsheet detailing all possessions not packed away already, noting where they need to get to.  Yes, I have had some time on my hands while in Denver.
• The truck will be sold on or around August 25th in NOLA.  Unless someone out there is interested in buying it (2004 Chevy Silverado Extended Cab, about 70K miles) we'll take it to a used car lot and get what we can.  This won't yield the highest return but appears to be the easiest route considering the given circumstances.  I just hope we're able to get enough to not cause this part of the plan to be sticky.
• The POD leaves NOLA for NYC on August 26th.
• Freddie will go for his 18 month well visit at 7.45am on August 26th.  No, this doesn't really pertain to the overall plan, but I am a bit paranoid about forgetting it.
• Charlie will defend his dissertation on August 26th at 11am.  This is big, folks.
• Later that evening, we will celebrate with an early dinner, lots of beers, and an early bedtime.
• August 27th, 4am, will be our departure in the Honda packed with a week's worth of clothes and supplies, as well as the TV, printer, computers, and other items not packed for the POD, unless his committee decides the dissertation needs serious work. In that case, we need to come up with plan B, but it is doubtful that plan will have to go into effect.
• Make the 20 hour drive to NYC in the Honda, as a family of three.
• Arrive in NYC on or around August 29th.
• Upon arrival to NYC, find a garage and parking contract the Honda for 1 month. This way we can use the car to make trips out of the city to stock the pantry, refrigerator, and transport odds and ends.  (I know I need lamps.  Trying to remember why we sold all of the lamps.) The Honda will be sold in New Jersey after we've gotten everything transported to the new apartment.
• Meet with hospital housing department or new landlord on or around August 30th or 31st.
• Charlie's first day of work as a PhD is September 1st.
• The POD arrives in NYC on September 2nd.
• Move in on September 3rd or 4th.  This is the part of the plan where things get fuzzy again because we're not 100% settled on an apartment so I can't get POD delivery and movers arranged quite yet.  I also think there are some regulations about days, times, etc for moving into apartments in the city which I have yet to figure out.

So there you have it.  A plan.  Feeling pretty good about it too.

A Visitor

So sorry to be MIA lately, but Charlie has arrived for a visit.  I've been cooking and baking and primping, you know.  Well, not really, but I did shave my legs.

Baby in the King Cake

Only one family photo today. Wish I had taken more.

Happy Mardi Gras, y'all.

More after our nap.

SupaBeauxl Bound!

Oh what a night! Our boys are NFC champions and headed to the Superbowl!


The feeling in the city over the past week has been amazing. *Everyone* has been giddy in anticipation of last night's game and I imagine the ride on cloud 9 for the next two weeks will mean even more brotherly love in the Big Easy. I cannot count the number of strangers I planted a kiss on last night...or who planted a kiss on Charlie.


Reading the articles about the "love affair" between the fans and the team makes me grin. It certainly is a love affair; we're some passionate folks here in NOLA. There just isn't any other way.


It was bitter sweet for us. It was our last night in the Dome, as regulars that is. I imagine this time next year we'll be pulling up a bar stool, who knows where, next to a handful of Who Dats who have been waiting to turn up that yat accent.

Southern's band rocks the half time show!

Who Dat!!!

Vail, so far

I just love those eyelashes

• Both guys have colds
• Freddie ain't sleeping
• 2 days skiing (for me, 4 for Charlie)
• A bulb syringe for his nose, yuck
  
• 1 long hike
• Not enough snow
• New Years cards mailed (and received I believe)
  
• A birthday celebration (Happy birthday, Eoin!)
• Hardly any photos
• "Beer thirty" observed daily
• Balancing large meals with large salads
• New ski socks with pink stripes
  
• Helmet heads all around
  
• People magazine-athon
• Cousins
• 2010 planning
  

We Love the Hornets

Our team's not so hot this year, but they've got time yet to warm up I suppose. We still like going to the games, complete with beers and hot dogs. Tonight we made it in time to meet James Posey before the game and listen to some Trombone Shorty at the pregame festivities. Tonight's celebrity sightings: Kim Kardashian and Deion Sanders. Surely both are in town for tomorrow night's big Saints v. Cowboys game. Reggie Bush better have been at home in bed, resting for tomorrow's game, leaving Ms. Kardashian to find fun in NOLA by herself!

Better Together

I had the bright idea to go to the zoo in the late afternoon on Friday...after the school crowd and missing the weekend crowd. Charlie made it home for 3pm, we ran an errand, and arrived excited to see the monkeys and giraffes at 3.45. Wouldn't you know the zoo closes at 4pm during the week. Big disappointment.


So we grabbed a loaf of cheapie white bread and headed across the streets to feed the ducks. The ducks, Freddie, and I all loved munching on the bread. Sorry, can't resist white bread stuck to the roof of my mouth.


We saw a mama duck and her 9 ducklings.


We fed the ducks and geese and ibis while the mosquitos feasted on us. After all of nature was fat and happy we headed to dinner at Parkway!


Poboys, beer, and banana pudding. Freddie had some shrimp but was far more interested in the pudding.


We were home and in bed, rubbing three fat bellies, by 7pm. A perfect anniversary.

Anniversary Card

Yep, he made me a pop up card!


Who Dat Say Dey Gonna Beat Dis Life?

Who dat? Who dat?

For My C-Bear on Our 5th Anniversary

Date Night

Drinking a Blue Moon

With seven willing babysitters, Charlie and I headed out on our first date since Bug's arrival. We headed to Red Robin, a place Charlie frequented in high school to take advantage of the endless basket of fries, and a movie.

It wasn't what I usually think of when "date" comes to mind as I didn't put on cute shoes, a fresh dress, or even lip gloss. As a matter of fact, I think I scratched off some dried milk on my shoulder when I checked myself out in the car visor mirror as we drove to dinner. Charlie didn't seem to mind.


The movie, The Proposal, was cute... romantic comedy that was good for a few laughs. And the conversation was great. I wondered if we'd talk about Freddie the entire time but we managed to discuss the state of our city, moving, work, politics, and our Bug.

Freddie managed without us, as I knew he would, and his babysitters did a fine job! I think date nights are going to require morning babysitters as well to help me catch up on missed sleep.

Looking forward to the next one...hopefully sooner than later.

Just two

Perhaps tonight will be our last night as two...I doubt it, however.


It began with two boxes of chocolate, 75% off at Walgreens, one with lights and one playing a Jonas Brothers' ditty, on the couch.

And if that wasn't enough, we headed to the Hornets' game (skipping the parade) and finished the night of romance with all you can eat pancakes at IHOP.


Tomorrow, we'll have to top tonight, if we are still just two.

In the Big Apple

"I've always wanted to see the Macy's Thanksgiving Parade since I was a little girl" is what he's heard for quite some time, so he gave in, of course. Never any doubt, as the man's a push over. So, we're in NYC for the holiday week.

We've been wandering through the city, eating our share of thin crust pizza, searching out the perfect bagels (H and H shall some today), wondering if we could ever live here, and people watching.

Putting it away at John's

We also made it to the MoMA and the Met to take in a bit of art and test my high school and college art history memory. This has got to be the most crowded time in the city with the museums being packed. We wandered through a few galleries each day before bundling back up and hitting the streets.

With it being the holiday season we had to go to The Christmas Spectacular at Radio City Music Hall.


The audience was packed with children begging for $10 cotton candy. Yes, ten bucks for cotton candy. But they forgot all about it with Santa's appearance....


...and the Rockettes!


Of course the show was everything I hoped it would be with the perfect balance of cheesy entertainment and sappy nostalgia.


Radio City Music Hall has preserved its art deco decor of the 1930's (maybe some photos today if Charlie is able to walk!). But the shows were quite hip with current technology and even included 3-D film. I told you there was cheese!

We did balloon viewing the night before the parade. Streets where baracaded off between 3-10pm as the balloons were inflated and what seemed like every family in NY came to see.


We decided Jazzfest and Mardi Gras combined with two small children has got to be an easier feat than that....bundling children, getting on the train, walking up and down packed streets, hoisting kids up high enough to get a peek.


The morning of the parade we slept in, knowing we only had to walk out the door of the building and the parade would be less than 50 yards away. (Thank you, Mark, for the use of your apartment!) We also knew it was advised to be out there 3 hours in advance to secure a prime viewing location. I couldn't do it...it was too cold. And surprisingly, Charlie didn't get going at the crack of dawn to get me out there.


The crowd was thick....imagine Mardi Gras times fifty or Endymion times ten. All for two hours of viewing and waving. No beads, no beers, no bass drum thumping bands.

The kids in the crowd didn't
know what a Smurf was!

The man was disappointed once he saw the crowd that we hadn't done everything possible to get a prime spot, but eventually relaxed and took some photos over heads. We couldn't see anything but the balloons.


But it was perfect. We were bundled up, the sun came out, and after the parade we walked back to the apartment, smelling like the hot dog cart on the corner, and watched the parade on television, along with some football!


The adventure continues for a few more days...