Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Monday night
Henry's day care and my mom's school were both closed on Monday, so he went to Andover for the day. A very active day, apparently! Here's how my dad brought him back around dinnertime.
They both woke up to eat. In fact, Esti went on a 3-hour nurse-a-thon from dinner through till (my) bedtime. Either she's having a growth spurt or it's time to introduce the pacifier.
They both woke up to eat. In fact, Esti went on a 3-hour nurse-a-thon from dinner through till (my) bedtime. Either she's having a growth spurt or it's time to introduce the pacifier.
Town Day
We actually made it out to Arlington's Town Day celebration last weekend. Didn't take much part in the official festivities (beyond buying some Indian food to eat on the lawn) but had plenty of fun nonetheless.
Henry was pretty fearless about this tree. After he lost his grip once and fell on his bottom (no harm done), Grandma Ann came to spot him.
At the (now fortunately dry) fountain behind the Robbins Library we ran into Jonah, a kid from Henry's day care who was amusing himself while his dad played bass in one of the Town Day bands.
He seems like a very happy kid, quite active. (Here, playing with walnuts -- later threw one at somebody.) He's a year older than Henry, and it shows. But after seeing a bona fide Jonah (and one who looks the part), I'm still glad we made the decision to name Henry Henry.
Henry was pretty fearless about this tree. After he lost his grip once and fell on his bottom (no harm done), Grandma Ann came to spot him.
At the (now fortunately dry) fountain behind the Robbins Library we ran into Jonah, a kid from Henry's day care who was amusing himself while his dad played bass in one of the Town Day bands.
He seems like a very happy kid, quite active. (Here, playing with walnuts -- later threw one at somebody.) He's a year older than Henry, and it shows. But after seeing a bona fide Jonah (and one who looks the part), I'm still glad we made the decision to name Henry Henry.
Friday, September 25, 2009
Thursday, September 24, 2009
13 ways of looking at sleep
You may have noticed we've been getting a lot of visits lately. Plus there have been two pediatrician appointments -- and a very quick appearance at a BU cocktail party last Thursday, our second day out of the hospital! (Because I won a big award and couldn't skip the photo-op reception, though we did skip the sit-down dinner. Ken: "Is it okay that I'm the only man here not wearing a suit? Me: "Sweetie? It's okay. You're wearing a baby.") So Esti has been making the rounds. Yesterday, I actually Bjorned her up and took her into Harvard Square for coffee with my editor. She made me look good (like, I might actually submit my manuscript on time) by sleeping through the entire meeting, plus the bus rides there and back.
Fortunately, she still sleeps -- does she ever! Usually, in my lap on the Boppy while I sit at the computer; the tapping keys are her lullaby. Sometimes she'll deign to be put down on a pillow or in her rocking chair for an hour or so.
But sometimes there's just time to put her down and snap a picture and (if lucky) run to the bathroom and then Waaa! The milk cycle starts again: feed, burp, change, rock, sleep, feed... At night, if she's in our bed, she can sleep for up to four hours, most of it while latched on to me. Make that two hours if she's in her bassinet. (Any wonder she never is?)
Now the adrenaline is wearing off. The cumulative bustle is starting to take a toll. My cherished insomnia is no longer my own. I am feeling tired. The only reason I even have time to blog right now (blogging? on a weekday before noon? I might as well be watching soaps! and meanwhile Ken, normally an eight-hours-of-sleep-or-bust kind of guy, has been keeping up with a normal school schedule) is that Ann has flown in for a few days and is holding the baby. And of course all this makes me feel guilty: how can I be tired when I'm basically sitting at home all day holding this little bundle of cuteness, she eats well and doesn't have colic, Henry is in day care 4 days a week, and I'm getting all kinds of family help? Plus I'm getting my normal body back very fast (except for the milk leaking everywhere): a little smaller every day. This is the best scenario a mom anywhere could expect. Here she is, yesterday afternoon, like the peas porridge in the pot...
Okay, enough whining. She's adorable, I'm blessed. Now back to that diaper and then that manuscript.
Fortunately, she still sleeps -- does she ever! Usually, in my lap on the Boppy while I sit at the computer; the tapping keys are her lullaby. Sometimes she'll deign to be put down on a pillow or in her rocking chair for an hour or so.
But sometimes there's just time to put her down and snap a picture and (if lucky) run to the bathroom and then Waaa! The milk cycle starts again: feed, burp, change, rock, sleep, feed... At night, if she's in our bed, she can sleep for up to four hours, most of it while latched on to me. Make that two hours if she's in her bassinet. (Any wonder she never is?)
Now the adrenaline is wearing off. The cumulative bustle is starting to take a toll. My cherished insomnia is no longer my own. I am feeling tired. The only reason I even have time to blog right now (blogging? on a weekday before noon? I might as well be watching soaps! and meanwhile Ken, normally an eight-hours-of-sleep-or-bust kind of guy, has been keeping up with a normal school schedule) is that Ann has flown in for a few days and is holding the baby. And of course all this makes me feel guilty: how can I be tired when I'm basically sitting at home all day holding this little bundle of cuteness, she eats well and doesn't have colic, Henry is in day care 4 days a week, and I'm getting all kinds of family help? Plus I'm getting my normal body back very fast (except for the milk leaking everywhere): a little smaller every day. This is the best scenario a mom anywhere could expect. Here she is, yesterday afternoon, like the peas porridge in the pot...
Okay, enough whining. She's adorable, I'm blessed. Now back to that diaper and then that manuscript.
Spy Pond, Sunday afternoon
My cousin Andrew was in town (from New York) and stopped by Sunday afternoon. What is it about the ice cream truck? Henry is already old enough to be enchanted.
He can hear the tinny music when it's blocks away, barely audible to grown-ups. He can notice whether it's the same truck as last time (Mickey Mouse on the front) or a different one (Spider Man). Above all, he likes the transaction: handing the man the money, receiving the ice cream and spoon and the change.
Afterwards: rinsing his hands in the water...
...and startling the geese. (They are probably not here for long. Bye-bye, summer!)
He can hear the tinny music when it's blocks away, barely audible to grown-ups. He can notice whether it's the same truck as last time (Mickey Mouse on the front) or a different one (Spider Man). Above all, he likes the transaction: handing the man the money, receiving the ice cream and spoon and the change.
Afterwards: rinsing his hands in the water...
...and startling the geese. (They are probably not here for long. Bye-bye, summer!)
More from DeCordova
How do you get a three-year-old to pose for a photo on a wall without coming scarily close to the edge?
This is his response to "Look! I can stick out my tongue and touch my nose -- can you?"
Finally. (Sort of.)
And look: a monarch caterpillar!
This is his response to "Look! I can stick out my tongue and touch my nose -- can you?"
Finally. (Sort of.)
And look: a monarch caterpillar!
Sunday at DeCordova
I can walk! I can wear (some of) my own pants again! I can go spend a gorgeous Sunday morning at DeCordova Park! But I certainly can't carry anything yet. So the burden of the family is all on Ken.
Fortunately, once Henry had made his initial point about being entitled to Daddy-back rides, he was actually happier to run around than be carried.
See?
Fortunately, once Henry had made his initial point about being entitled to Daddy-back rides, he was actually happier to run around than be carried.
See?
Sean and Gretchen & Co. visit
Sean loves holding little babies.
His own are so big already (See Philip, 13 months, already walking.)
Henry and Veronica take refuge together - in the other room - away from the new-baby fuss.
Rosh Hashana (with Rivi)
Everyone wants to see Esti! Rivi came up from Providence, my grandpas came over, and fortunately, my parents brought the entire holiday meal.
(There is a photo of my two grandpas, almost the same pose only they're standing up, taken at my third birthday party, 32 years ago!)
Esti dozed quietly through most of the supper. Then she came to the table and ate, too. (This photo has morning light, must have been taken at a different time, but it's roughly the same pose. She spends a lot of time this way.)
A sweet New Year to all!
(There is a photo of my two grandpas, almost the same pose only they're standing up, taken at my third birthday party, 32 years ago!)
Esti dozed quietly through most of the supper. Then she came to the table and ate, too. (This photo has morning light, must have been taken at a different time, but it's roughly the same pose. She spends a lot of time this way.)
A sweet New Year to all!
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