New York Trip

With Jeremy on his research block we had the flexibility to take a long weekend trip to NYC to visit the newest addition to our family, Finnick Maxwell! We all had so much fun. Here are the highlights.

Gillen was able to spend time with BOTH of his godparents!

Owen was thrilled to "swim" with his floaties on.

Spicy Indian food was bravely consumed by all.

Finn did lots of napping in lots of adorable (photo-worthy) positions.

I introduced Jeremy to the best pizza in the history of the universe to which he replied after eating, "Holy crap! I thought this would be like --- kinda good. This is the best pizza I've ever had."

YUP.

Downside? Owen threw an overtired tantrum one night and was thrashing around so bad in the travel crib that he gave himself a black eye-- that none of us noticed until morning.  First black eye? Check. 

(You can view all of the photos from our trip here)

Mama and Gil in the Big City

I had a meeting for work in New York and I had missed one other meeting because I think I was pregnant so I really needed to be at this one. It was important to me and since I get to do very little to stretch my professional wings, I needed to make this happen.

The scheduling could not have been worse as the meeting was finalized less than two weeks prior and it was the two days before we were leaving for Hilton Head.

But thanks to Papa, Jeremy and an incredibly flexible baby - I made it. Despite being dead tired when I made the reservations and accidentally booked two one way flights on Friday - I fixed it at the last minute and my awesome cousin Ry took the day off so that he could get us from the airport. We stayed out on Long Island with family and one of my coworkers lives ten minutes away.

Gil and I drove into the city with her for the meeting, had dinner and then back to Long Island. We flew out first thing Friday morning.

A crazy whirlwind 43 hour NYC trip. Owen had a blast with his Papa and didn't even notice I was gone ;)

{Me and my awesome Kveller co workers - Sarah skyped in from Israel. Mayim had Gil.}

{ Apparently paper plates are vegan}

 {Uncle Amos met up with us after work for a quick snuggle with his Godson}

 {Sissa and Aunt Marylou fight over who gets to hold Gil}

 {excited we made this trip happen. Here's hoping I make it out again soon}

We arrived back home and had a wonderful brunch with Owen and Papa and then headed to the Children's Festival for the afternoon.

 {Papa teaching Owen how to shoot marbles at the Children's Festival}

The longest trip in the universe

Jeremy unexpectedly had some time off last week so we flew to San Francisco to visit family and friends. The last time we made the LONG flight Owen was only 3 months old and amazed us with his flexibility. This trip was much, much different.

We introduced some headphones before we left so that Owen could listen to his music on the plane. He LOVES the new headphones and they are a perfect fit for his tiny head (adorable too!) He actually did very well on the flight out there, but the three of us waking at 4am to start the day set us off on a bad foot for a 3hr time difference. Owen ended up nursing to sleep on the flight and slept on me for over 2hours of the second leg, which was great!

Owen didn't adjust well to the time difference and woke before 5am the first day and screamed for over two hours. He did pretty well with naps but since we slept in the same room as he did during the trip, he was very aware that I was there and crying out and asking to nurse most of the night only to wake again each morning between 5-6am.  The three of us didn't get a full night of sleep the entire time we were away, which proved to be really exhausting. But we got to see so many good friends and spend quality time with family so that is what really matters. We didn't get many pictures of our trip since we were running around very busy trying to visit everyone, but we did get a few special ones.

Owen was able to meet his Great Grandma Florence for the second time! She is 94 and in assisted living but still so happy to be with us. Our shy boy was such a charmer with his Great Grandma. He gave her hugs and high five and LOTS of smiles. The tears in her eyes said it all. She also demanded that Jeremy and I get working on more babies... dually noted Grandma.

Bernice and her son Paul came over to Aunt Mimi's for dinner one night and it is always a pleasure to see her. She was Jeremy's mother's life-long best friend and loves our boy so much (even if he was a cranky version of himself this trip...)

And quite possibly the highlight of O's trip was getting to visit with his cousins Ben and Shayna. Each morning he woke up bright and early (oh god, 5am) with calls of "More Ben!, More Shayna!"

We're back and adjusting from our little trip, we learned that infants are MUCH more flexible than toddlers but traveling across country with a toddler IS POSSIBLE. You just might be a little bit tired when you get back :)

"Bye-Bye, Gogi!"

Our trip to Denver went by much, much too fast. Owen doesn't really pronounce "r's" so he took to taking his Grampie Dick, "Gogi" (rhymes with Yogi) and well, I think it suites him well!

We had such a wonderful time exploring all there is to do in Denver for toddlers. Owen was a joy every second we were there. I think he could sense the tension at home and was bored of seeing me day in and day out - this trip was just what we BOTH needed. He loved being showerd with attention from his "Gogi" and Grammie Susie. He got to meet his step-cousins, Kyle and Chloe for the first time and they were the highlight of his trip. Chloe fed, bathed and played with Owen in the sweetest way. He woke up from every nap, climbed the stairs asking for, "Ky-wol, and Chloe"

(he wanted to wear his bowl as a HAT!)

I also had a wonderful visit. I love Jeremy, but his schedule right now is hard on everyone. While I was away I didn't stress out about what time he got home, if he ate, or if he saw us -- because I wasn't there to know any of that. I even had some alone time. I took long showers, went to the grocery without entertaining a toddler, and I had an entire afternoon to myself while my little was in the loving care of his grandparents. I browsed stores in an outdoor mall and went to a movie. Normally, I'd feel like a TOTAL LOSER for doing this - but that day, I was thrilled. I was the only one in the theater and I enjoyed a small popcorn and Ryan Gosling's abs (drool!) After the movie I enjoyed a Jamba Juice and then headed home. 

As I strolled along enjoying the BEAUTIFUL Colorado weather, I realized that was the first time that I have ever been away from my boys that I didn't ache for them. I was actually thankful for the break, for the breathing room. I didn't go to the bathroom with a toddler on my lap once all week -- so it was definitely a successful trip!

Its a good thing we loved our trip so much because the 3hr plane ride there and back WERE HELL. I was that lady with the screaming, squirming toddler. Apparently, traveling with a 18 month old is NOT SO FUN.

I'm trying to get some pictures posted of our trip, amidst cooking for Rosh Hashanah and preparing for our family vacation. Glad to have recharged my Mama batteries!

Taking a much needed break

Owen's 1st plane trip at 3 months to San Francisco

 Owen's second plane trip at 5 months old - he was the copilot

Tomorrow Owen and I leave bright and early for Denver to spend the week with Grampie Dick and Grammie Susie. Not because of yesterday, but yesterday affirmed for me that I could use a few extra hands. Jeremy is on call all weekend and much of next week so it was the perfect time and I am very grateful they offered to fly us out there.

This will be Owen's fourth plane ride and his second trip across the country. I'm very nervous taking this walking,screamingtalking, eating, busy toddler on a 3.5 hour plane trip but hopefully - he'll adapt.

Thank you all SO MUCH for the encouraging emails and comments on yesterday's post. I have the best friends. It isn't all rainbows and sunshine over here, but I do try to keep this blog as a record of Owen's life, and I chose to celebrate on here. But I also felt that he'd look back and think, "Wow I was SUCH an easy baby, perfect really. And wow! My Mama was rock star. She really had her shit together."  No son, I do not. You are an experiment in motherhood, willpower and wine consomption and I can only hope you come out needing as little therapy as possible.

Anyway, today was a little better, still a lot of screaming but I somehow got some patience overnight and gave him more of my undivided attention so he was happier. Jeremy made it home in time to run out for a late family dinner at an awesome Indian food restaurant and I finally solidified our reservations for our family vacation in October.

And who says alcohol doesn't make things better?


(this picture has nothing to do with this post but O and I ventured up to the water floor at the Children's Museum for the first time last week and he TOTALLY LOVED IT! --- if you don't want to reach through your computer and SQUEEZE this adorable boy in a yellow slicker -- there is something seriously wrong with you.)

See you next week!

"Happeee Babyyyy!"

He likes to wear this pink oven mitt around the house after nap time

Owen is quite the talker, he talks from the time he wakes up from the time he goes to sleep. Out of no where last week he started saying, "Happy! Happpee Babyyyy!"  I don't think he knows what it means (because he said it one time when he was crying, LOL!) but it melts my heart. I'm pretty sure he got it from me, because ever since he was a tiny cub I ask him, "Are you happy baby?" But I don't say it quite as often as I used to, so I guess he wanted to tell me that he is ;)

18 months has been both a blessing and a challenge. Owen is on the move, exerting his independence, talking up a storm and is very, very attached to me. We ended up cutting our trip to Maryland short because Owen FRRRREAKED out in the hotel room. We tried to put him down for a nap that afternoon, but he refused to sleep in the travel crib (same one we've always used on trips). So I let him sleep on me while he nursed for about 45 minutes and then off we went with our day.

That night we did our usual bedtime routine with him, but as soon as we laid him down at 9pm he started into COMPLETE HYSTERICS. We tried picking him up, rocking him, singing to him, letting him sleep with us - nothing worked. Around 1:30 we figured "forget it" and we took off his sleep sack and let him walk around. He continue to SCREAM, running around like a honey badger opening drawers, throwing shoes, pacing in circles, climbing over furniture. Totally inconsolable. Jeremy and I were pretty frazzled and worried about getting kicked out of the sold-out hotel, but I have to admit, his delirious actions were actually quite comical and we ended up laughing hysterically - since we were tired ourselves. Around 3:30 I finally nursed him to sleep and passed out in the bed.

I guess traveling is going to be a little challenging for my Owen (and his very tired parents) for a while!

If anyone has any suggestions for traveling with a fearful toddler - I'd love to hear them!

He also likes to wear this plastic ring (trash) from the diaper genie 

...and sometimes... he wears them BOTH :)

Vacation!

Jeremy has a week off so we're headed to Virginia Beach to spend some time, just the three of us. We have been counting down the days till this vacation and we're so excited to sleep in, play with Owen and touch some baby toes in the sand for the very first time. The weather forecast is less than stellar for the upcoming week but as long as we're together it doesn't matter.

See you next week!

Daddy's vacation

Don't Bite!

{GO BUCKS!}

Breastfeeding at the Biltmore

On our vacation in Asheville we met up with my friend Kelly (Owen's god mother "Doda Kelly") She is living there with her two boys (age 2 and 6 mons) while her Army husband is deployed for the next 13 months. The last time we saw each other was just after our wedding. She was my Jewish witness to our Ketuba (marriage contract)

Needless to say, when we saw each other there were LOTS and LOTS of tears. In the last two years there have been three babies born, five moves, a graduation, a deployment and entirely too much distance. But the amazing thing about friends is that it was like we saw each other yesterday. Except now, we are both Mamas! The first night we stayed with her she said nonchalantly, "Tam, seeing you as a mother is so amazing, its as if you've always been one." That comment made my heart burst with pride.

We had a great time with the boys and being around a two year old was a scary nice glimpse into our future. To say that Kelly is an amazing Mom is an understatement and it was so nice just to be together.

Both of Kelly's boys were born at 36 weeks exactly. Jeremy and I were there when she had PreE with her first son, Graham. Her second son, Ben just came out happily at exactly 36 weeks just like his brother. I remember when I was on bed rest and at 36 weeks and 1 day she called me and said, "You are in the clear Mama, you've officially held in a baby longer than me!" We are both nursing Mamas. She is happily nursing Ben into his sixth month. Her kid nurses (and falls asleep) ANYWHERE. Like at lunch. Her baby nurses and looks like this.

My baby nurses and then looks like THIS!

 She always has to one up me.

One night we had dinner with Owen's Nana and Papa (and Kelly and Ben) and then headed over to tour the Biltmore (so so so amazing by the way). The house was lit for Christmas and we kept the babies up past their bedtime for a little night out. Our little family of three was sitting in the backseat of my in-laws sedan on the way to the Biltmore. It was 6pm. Owen likes to nurse at 6pm. Our tickets were for 6:15 and we were running late as it was. Owen makes it known that IT IS 6PM!! I NURSE AT 6PM! I NURSE AT 6PM! I had heard (horror?) heroic stories at my Le Leche meetings of mothers who lean over the car seat to feed their screaming babes on car trips. I thought about it for exactly two seconds (Hmmm wonder how much of this can be seen in the rear view mirror) and then I flopped myself over my boy. And nursed him. Not before Jeremy says, "That's never gonna work." Two seconds later... slurp, slurp slurp. Happy baby.

I'm gonna admit. This was SO UNCOMFORTABLE. See previous statement again and then ask me what it felt like and I'll tell you - it was awesome. I make milk. That's my superpower.

As we were waiting to get into the Biltmore I told Kelly about my heroic car trip over - one in which my in-laws were none the wiser. She says, "Holy crap, you go dude!"

Fast foward two hours. Its late, we're touring the second floor and Ben gets hungry. We both wore the babies in front pack carriers and they were TOTAL ANGELS. Both of them. They were the only children in the place and again, TOTAL ANGELS. Ben was justifiably hungry but we were walking through narrow roped-off halls. Kelly asks if she can borrow my nursing cover, so I dug it out of my bag wondering how the hell she was going to pull this off. She unbottons the carrier, drapes the cover over her and WALKS NURSING HER CHILD IN HER ARMS. Oh and then - SHE CLIMBS TWO FLIGHTS OF WINDING STAIRS WHILE NURSING HER CHILD!!!

She always has to one up me.

After our tour, we took a shuttle back to the parking lot. It was late and time for Owen to go to sleep (CUE: ITS TIME FOR ME TO SLEEP GIVE ME YOUR BOOB). Kelly and I were sitting in the front row of the shuttle and OWEN WAS LOSING IT. Banging his head in between my boobs motorboating loudly as if to say, "THEY ARE RIGHT HERE, RIGHT HERE, LET ME HAVE MY MILK!" So what did I do? I pulled my boob out and nursed him.  Kelly: "Holy crap, you go dude!"

I would have totally pulled this off discretely except for when my husband sitting two rows behind me says, "Are you nursing Owen on here???"  Drawing attention to my exposed boob (and happy baby) to the other passengers. AND if that wasn't enough - my husband and my mother-in-law started to sing.

THE BABY ON THE BUS GOES SLURP, SLURP, SLURP.

Kelly: "Last night, I wasn't sure if I should be horrified or give you a high five. Thanks for the boob shot lady, I enjoyed it - the guy sitting next to you on the other hand..I think the singing tipped him off."

Long story short.

Dear Kelly,

I win.

Vacation's over

We're back and needless to say, we had an amazing week together. It rained for the majority of our trip to Asheville so the one dissapointment was that we don't have many pictures. I was hoping to get a family shot of the three of us (we haven't had one since Owen was born) but that didn't work out. Such is the way with weather and tiny windows of time off.

Lots to post and catch up on.

But for now, I thought I'd show you just how relaxing it really was...

California king...literally.

{poolside} "Somebody bring me my milk!"

*p.s. SIDS police - the bed picture was taken of Owen the morning we left Asheville. He came into bed to nurse at 3:30am and fell asleep. We had all of the lights on and we were taking pictures of him!We were watching him the entire time and laughing at how the bed just swallowed him up. He slept like he owned the place!

Our Tampa Trip, in pictures

Owen meets Pop-Pop (great grandpa) for the first time

Babies *LOVE* Pop-Pop

Raider tells his cousin Owen all about the Jellyfish

Tired baby at the aquarium

baby play time!

Owen observes all the things you can do when you are SEVEN months old!

Owen with GiGi and Pop-Pop

Come to Pop-Pop

Owen is just starting to sit up all by himself