We went to the Children’s Museum in Boston yesterday with friends and had a blast.  We had only been to one other Children’s museum and that was in Providence and Ian was so young he wasn’t yet walking.  Although he seemed to have fun at the Providence one, yesterday he was in his glory to be able to really let loose and enjoy the various activities and exhibits. 

One of the things I find fascinating as a mother is watching my baby interact with other kids.  It’s fun to see him interact with kids he’s friends with, whether they are his classmates or kids of friends of ours, and it’s also interesting to see him interact with complete strangers’ kids.

I remember when we had a first playdate and Ian and the other babies were really just that: babies.  Play time was really just tummy time and practicing sitting and holding toys.  But I just about felt my skin crawl the first time I witnessed another baby mouth one of Ian’s toys.  One of Ian’s. Precious. Toys.  Gross! Oh yeah, I got over it.  You have to.  My God.  But I laugh when I think about how crazy I felt about it the first time it happened.

So now that Ian is older, we are in the midst of real life discipline.  The parents are the ones who are usually apologizing for their kid who steals a toy, acts out, or doesn’t know how to be polite. 

Picture being in a museum where kids outnumber adults and since it’s a weekend, it’s a busy, busy time there.  We are in a playspace where there are rubber tunnels, trucks galore, and bridges for kids big and small to travel over. 

Ian starts to play with this truck that is on this pulley.  This girl comes over who has at least a head and a half on him.  She looks aggressive and she is.  She starts declaring what SHE is going to do.  I AM GOING TO BRING THE TRUCK UP HIGHER.  I AM GOING TO DO THIS.  I AM GOING TO DO THAT.  I have certified her a brat already.  The trouble with reacting aloud and immediate in regards to this behavior is that you don’t know where the parent of this kid is and you don’t want to be called out for disciplining their child (not that I would say anything).  The issue here was that Ian was playing with the very thing she decided to become all grabby about.  So instead of telling her to piss off (for obvious reasons, I, of course, did not), I wanted to see how this was going to play out a bit.  And perhaps see if this kid’s parent was going to come out of the woodwork? Well, Ian had enough of this girl.  She took his truck.  She was bossy.  She was rude.  So he pushed her.  He is strong and that was apparent because she was not so small.  But the thing is, I did nothing.  Do I want him to push anyone? No.  Do I want him pushing girls of all people? No.  But a kid has to stick up for himself. And that might be a little badass.  And yes, there are better ways to do this like with talking and not with physical contact.  Am I proud of him? No.  Do I regret not scolding him for pushing her? Maybe.  I decided enough is enough and walked away since I thought we had enough of this girl.  I realized who the mother was–a woman who had been squatting near me for the duration of this incident! And what did she say to her daughter as we walked away? “Look cute so I can take your picture!” It might be me who will want to push some of these parents soon.  Instead, I gave her a glare.  What would you have done? 

Here are some pictures from our day:

Future Red Sox Star

Watching everything

I had to make sure I told everyone before letting the online world know…that this adorable guy:

 is going to be a big brother come July since itsy bitsy mama:

has little bug #2 in her belly!!!!

We are very excited!!  It feels extremely surreal.  I am like “whoa” as I pull on maternity clothes I wore *semi* recently…

My favorite experience during this pregnancy so far was listening to the baby’s heartbeat for the first time as I watched Ian crane his neck to see what the heck was going on!

I can’t wait to see him as a big brother.  I am feeling well and I’m more nervous than I was the first time around, yet less worrisome, if that makes sense.

Happy weekend!

Love,

itsy bitsy mama

While many of you celebrated a new year, a new decade, I did the same, but things felt different this time. 

I felt the usual pressure to get it all done before the next work week, work day started.  To make sure that the kitchen was tidy enough, again.  That Ian’s lunch was packed, again.  That I had clean underwear beyond today’s pair, again.  That we had a plan for dinner, again.  That Ian wasn’t going to have to wear a weird mismatched outfit…which I save for days that I don’t work, so that I can do more laundry.

I feel stuck. 

I feel like I’ve got a fresh start in theory (because even though it’s a new year, you still carry with you all the mess of preceding moments and days and years–and also all the happy stuff, too), but I’m not making good on it. 

It’s like I have a disease. 

And when I complain that I’m not productive or when I swear up and down to Bub once again that we have to rework our budget, and I still get nothing done, I’m told that it’s good to relax, it’s good to have down time.  But that can’t be good when you think you have down time all the time, right?

I’ve taken more naps in these past weeks than I remember taking when I was on maternity leave (okay, well that may be because a newborn doesn’t sleep for more than a few hours, er, minutes at a time), but still.  At times, I chalk up how I behave now to the way I behaved right after Ian was born, how life was newly chaotic (and also exciting and very different).

But shouldn’t I be a pro at motherhood? Shouldn’t I not get grouchy when Ian gets up earlier than usual and throws a wrench into how I’m going to entertain him while showering, dressing, and brushing my teeth since Bub leaves earlier than me for work?

Sometimes I think if I were a full time mom, I’d fail.  Fail at being fun everyday all day–especially when the weather is freezing and the last thing Ian wants is for me to strap him in a stroller while we go someplace public just to get out. I’d fail at getting it all done: taking care of Ian so that he doesn’t seem to easily tire of running back and forth through all the rooms of the first floor, and the house–making it clean, organized, and perfect. 

You’d think with one solid day off and a 3-hour-napper-a-day-son that I could get something accomplished instead of finishing off the Breyers or watching Devil Wears Prada, again.

So that’s my first whine post of 2010.

Now that it’s out of my system, I’m ready to kick some ass. 

Right after I shut my door and have a small nap.

Wow, that went by fast, didn’t it? I was just asking you about whether or not you had put up your Christmas trees yet!

Here are some pictures from Christmas, and of course, from the snowy weather we got.

It’s hard being back to work, I suppose, but after getting a bad case of cabin fever, I guess it’s good to be outside of the house? Well, maybe not here…

So, Happy New Year! Here we go:

I never made it to see Santa when Ian was four months old.  I chalk that up to being overwhelmed and very busy. (Read: I was still Christmas shopping on Christmas Eve and saved grocery shopping to host Christmas day at our house for the last minute — in other words, I left exactly one hour to hit the grocery and liquor store and this was while I was arranging a menu to be edible for me on my no milk, eggs, nuts, or soy diet! Oh, and I have fond memories of squeezing in my nursing time in the changing rooms at the mall prior to said grocery shopping!)

Anyway, so we planned ahead this year.  And right after Ian screamed his lungs out during one of his many haircuts, we headed over to see Santa.  There was no line, my child did not cry, but he was extremely serious.  I had wanted this to be the Christmas card photo.  But I wasn’t sure with all the serious looks I was getting.  An Elmo doll with bells finally did the trick and we got a smile out of him (Ian, not Santa):

This year, we hosted Christmas Eve.  It was lovely once I got done cooking an obscene amount of food.  But I enjoy cooking, so no problem there.  I just had hoped for a break and that didn’t happen until we sat down to eat.  Christmas Day was semi-uneventful.  Our heat decided to not work so that threw a hiccup into the plans, but luckily we were only traveling 20 minutes to my parents’ house so we could afford to be late.  Ian slept through the drama, but we didn’t know of the heating issue until after the presents were discovered and opened:

I found Ian’s holiday vest at the last minute when I was ready to give up on what to dress him in.  I love it and was so sad he could only wear it one day:

I feel like I don’t have a ton of pictures of him from the day since he moves so fast and I get him doing non-ideal things, like looking sleepy–though he is as cute as a button to me in every way!

…Not watching the camera:

That was the famous instance of when your child would rather play with a box than anything else!

Moving right along, we got our fair share of snow, day after day.  Again, it’s so hard to get pictures of this guy when he’s always on the move, but I managed a few:

Sorry Facebook friends, I know these are a repeat for you!

I don’t think I’ve ever posted a recipe I like or love on here and although I have a deadline that I still have to make today and a currently sleeping kid, I shouldn’t really be on here, but having had my lunch just now, I had to share one of my favorite recipes for one of my favorite things to have on a cold, cold day (which would be today).  Or a cold, cold night: chili!

Some people like her, some people don’t.  I do and I love the whole 30-minute thing.  So this is a Rachael Ray favorite of mine.

And if you like beans in your chili? Add them, but the original recipe doesn’t call for them and that’s just fine by our family!

From Classic Rachael Ray 30-Minute Meals (the one where “Yum-O!” is written across her bust on the cover–who thought that was a good idea?  : )  ):

Cajun Chili

1.5 lbs lean ground pork

1 tablespoon Mexican chili powder (any chili powder will do)

1 tablespoon ground cumin

4 shakes cayenne pepper sauce (I use tabasco and no, this won’t make it too spicy)

1/2 medium yellow onion, chopped

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 rib celery, chopped

1/2 red bell pepper, chopped

1/2 green bell pepper, chopped

1/2 bottle of beer (have used it with and without and both are good!)

1 (14 oz) can crushed tomatoes

handful cilantro, chopped

Kosher salt, to taste

Heat large pot suitable for chili/soup, etc., over medium-high or high heat (I do medium so the meat doesn’t stick to bottom and burn).  Dump pork in and season with chili powder, cumin, and cayenne sauce.  Brown 5 minutes.

Add onion, garlic, celery, and peppers.  Cook, shaking pan now and then for 3-4 minutes so that veggies get soft.

Add beer if you are using it.  Stir bits from bottom of pot and stir in tomatoes and cilantro.  Add your salt after bringing to a boil.

We add Monterey Jack cheese on top after serving hot in bowls.  Cut up avocado and serve tortilla chips and/or bread to dip in as an added touch.

It’s even better the next day.  I’ve never made it with beans and I’ve never thought it was missing anything.

Yummy!

It’s hard to believe that the Christmas season is upon us; Thanksgiving went by so fast! I am always thinking it’s “too early” to get into the Christmas spirit, but when I finally get into the mode, it springs up on us, two seconds away, and I end up wishing we got our tree sooner, started celebrating sooner.

Bub thinks I blast the Christmas carols a bit too soon…but he knows I’m happy to hear them on the radio now.  I actually thought last night, as we drove home from a little trip to Ikea, that all the lights people already put up on their lawns was a bit much considering it’s not even December. 

It really is here.  Tomorrow!

We had a great Thanksgiving in MD and Ian was a champ on the flights.  For a 50-or-so minute flight, I really can’t complain about misbehavior.  There was a spilled drink on Bub’s lap and a plethora of cries from him when we wouldn’t hold up the 20 something pound kiddo so that he could twist the air vent or press the light buttons over and over and over again.  And when he finally conked out (because since when is momma and dada waking me up when THEY want ever okay?), we were already descending into MD.

Soon after we landed, we met up with one of my favorite friends for a delish meal which was pretty far from being conducive to kid-friendly, and it was here that Ian melted down in all his misery of being over tired.  Enough of that we said as we nixed our afternoon plans to meet up with Ian’s godmother and aunt for more adventures so that the little guy could sleep, which he did, for a mere hour, in the car.  Because once he made it to Grandma and Grandpapa’s, there was no stopping him from rushing around like a maniac.  Truly.  If only we all found so much entertainment in French doors, lamps, and vacuum accessories.

On Thursday, I marveled and enjoyed my contribution to the meal (and I think everyone else did, too!): the apple pie (this is pretty important!) and Ian took a (gasp!) proper nap as he does in daycare and most days at home.  So while he rested, we snacked on apps, ate our feast, and then had dessert in his company while he had his feast.  I’m beginning to think that apart from hot dogs, this guy is a true vegetarian.  He is anti chicken, turkey, red meat, and deli meat!

Friday we made an early start to Mt. Vernon which was the original plan for Wednesday afternoon, but since we had the meltdown episode, we were glad to have it rescheduled for this day.  We beat the loooong lines and crowds and battled the strong winds and cold to enjoy the tour and a meal.  Ian was a trooper and seemed to enjoy seeing the other families there.  A photo from the day:

On Saturday, we got up even earlier than on Wednesday to depart for home and wouldn’t it be fun to get a nasty stomach bug? Well, that’s just what I got and was sick for the rest of the weekend until last night when I demanded we get some fresh air before I went insane.  This brought us to Ikea, where I usually run into someone I or Bub knows.  Luckily that didn’t happen because I looked how I felt.  Like crapola.

Around 11:30 last night I finally felt like myself which makes sense considering I decided to realize that it was soon the work week and I should clean the house a bit before making absolutely sure I got through reading some more of Eclipse.

And I’m taking a poll: is your Christmas tree up yet?

We leave for MD tomorrow morning, early.  It’ll be Ian’s second plane trip and I think we’re all ready for a change of scenery and some good food and company.

The other morning as I sat with Ian on my lap while he drank his milk from his sippy, I started to think of how blessed I feel and what I’m thankful for:

• being able to give Ian milk after the many allergy scares we had early on in his infancy (and him loving it!)
• entering month three of being baby bottle free
• a supportive husband who is so helpful that he makes taking care of Ian easy
• being below pre-pregnancy weight (that could change after this week’s eating!)
• friends who keep in touch and make me laugh and who get me
• having a home and the ability to improve it not just so that it looks nice, but so that it is safer and better for Ian
• looking at life through Ian’s eyes–all smiles when he wakes up each morning; contentment while sleeping

Enjoy this time with your family and friends, and take a moment to be thankful for all that you have in your life.  Not everyone is as lucky as you.

Love,

itsy bitsy mama

Maybe it’s just me being an adult (not that this is very new), but I don’t get too excited by much–except when it comes to Ian, when I get to relive so many emotions and memories as a child.

So when Halloween started to show itself as far as the costumes I’d find hanging in Target, or the decorations I’d see in CVS, I knew I had to figure out what Ian would be before the day crept up on me.  Last year, I found Ian’s costume last minute because I wasn’t sure what the day would be like for him–would we go out and carry him around trick or treating (at less than three months old, we opted not to), would he help hand out candy (he did until he fell asleep!), and would we go to Bub’s office to show everyone at work how cute he was? (We sure did!)

This year, I’ve got a little walker, so animated, we can hardly wait for this holiday.  And today is his party at daycare.  We had a dress rehearsal where I put Ian’s costume on him this morning to test out the fit and layering, etc., for the party, and also for the parade and trick or treating activities on Saturday! He made my heart melt, and I just hope the party is really fun for him!

Here’s a sneak peek:

I call this a sneak peek since you can’t see the front of his costume.  He has a white belly.  The arms, tummy, and hood parts are soft, and across the chest it says:

Kiss Me!

Happy Halloween!

Love,

Itsy Bitsy Mama

P.S. And yes, that is a tub toy in Ian’s hand who we call “Piggy”–it’ s a favorite of his!

It’s been so long since I’ve stopped by here that I forgot my username.  Silly.

It’s turned so cold since I last posted and look at that: I’ve left the country and returned and survived trip number one without my number one baby.  It was strange–more strange than miserable, and I’m proud I survived. 

I’ve also started reading again.  I fear for sharing what I’ve been reading here since I’m almost embarrassed by it, but to be thrown back into reading and yearning to read something I’m really into has made me feel great.  It’s a hobby I bury with my work only to rediscover it at 9am again each week day, but it’s different when it’s work and it’s not a hobby.  For a while, it hasn’t been something I looked forward to doing.  The words and stories hadn’t been enough.  But now, I’m thrown back into a story and it feels wonderful.

This has to be short.  More to come sooner than the last post.

Love,

Itsy Bitsy Mama

Maybe it was the nice long weekend we had, or the fact that although I love summer’s intesity and all things associated with it, I do enjoy fall before it turns into the bitter pit of winter, so I’m ready to embrace it all–the vibrant leaves, the apple picking, the annual trek to Frankfurt.

Scratch that last part–I am dreading the trip to Germany sans Ian–to contemplate going many miles away from him is causing me to shudder, so instead I banish the thought from my mind for now. It has plenty of time to creep up later.  I try to focus on the artisan kiosks I like to check out that surround the fair grounds.  Now I’ll contemplate which day I can spend some time looking carefully through them for something for Ian.  That makes me feel a little bit better, I guess. 

I do not view this as a vacation or break from motherhood.  I view the trip, instead, as a grueling extended work week which I was fortunate to cut one day short by flying not non-stop which is cheaper…which is good for those who are paying for me to go, but really, it’s great for me to get home sooner to my little guy.

So, this post was going to be entirely different but it’s turned into the very thing I’m trying to banish from my mind: traveling without Ian and my separation anxiety.

Oh, well.  At least it’s already Tuesday and that means: 3-day work week!