I Say: Mom's Back At Work

Last week was a big one for me. Mom went back to work on Monday. She was really brave and didn't cry in front of me, but I know that it was hard for her to leave me. She and I had never been apart for more than a few hours, so it has been a bit of an adjustment for both of us, but we're doing OK. Sometimes I'm a little fussy in the morning when Mom leaves, but once I realize that Dad won't mess things up too bad, I calm down. We actually have a pretty fun time here even without Mom, but I get really excited when she comes home. Mom's pretty excited too.

Dad says that staying home and taking care of me is "challenging". Based on how much he's sleeping, I think that word means "tiring".  But he also says that he's lucky to have a great kid like me, and to be able to stay home with me during the days.

Every night before bed, Mom gives me a bath. I like that little ritual, and I really like the water too. Plus I get to wear my nifty shark bathrobe.

And in case you're worrying about these changes messing up my social schedule - don't. We went out to play with my friends Tessa and Luca yesterday, and I even dressed up for a fancy dinner with my friend Ian last week. (The grownups had fondue. I stuck with dairy products.)

I Say: Florida Was Amazing

As I mentioned last time, Mom, Dad and I went to Florida for the new year. I got to meet a whole bunch of wonderful Aunties. (Mom has a lot of sisters and a lot of cousins). They spoiled me rotten and I loved it. They fought over who got to hold me, and took such good care of me. I was excited to meet them, and I think Mom and Dad really appreciated getting a little break. There were eleven of us in one house and no one seemed to mind because everyone had so much fun with me. (My previous accommodations were pretty cozy too, so it was fine with me.) 

That's a lot of Aunties, plus Mom, Grammy and Grandpa

As much as meeting my aunties was wonderful, the highlight of the trip was meeting my Grammy. I had spoken to her on the phone and even seen her on Skype, but this was the first time we met in person. Mom kept telling me that Grammy was excited to meet me and how much I was going to love her. I'm her sixth grandchild, but the first in 15 years. I must say that meeting her was as great as Mom and Dad said it would be. I miss her already.

I love my Grammy

We were in Florida for ten days. It's warm there so I get to spend some quality time outside. The warm weather did wonders for my skin too. Mom and Dad took me to the pool a couple of times, but most days I stayed back at the house with my Aunties when they went to swim. I got a nice bath every day, so I still got some time in the water. I think that arrangement worked well for everyone.  

When we flew back to New York I was very well behaved on the plane again. That's more than I can say for some of the other kids. That's also more than I can say for by behavior back at home, but I came through when it mattered. 

In March Mom and Dad are taking me to California to meet Dad's family. Meeting Mom's family was pretty special and I know that Dad is really excited for me to get to know his cousins and aunts and uncles. 

I Say: Happy New Year

Last night I took my first plane ride. Mom and Dad were very nervous because they thought that I might make a big fuss. They worried that my ears would hurt and I'd be uncomfortable, and they worried that the other passengers would be mad at me. They had nothing to worry about. In fact - unlike some of the rowdy babies and children on the plane - I slept for most of the 2.5 hour flight to Florida. I used a pacifier for takeoff and then fed off of mom for landing, so my ears really didn't bother me. The other passengers said that I was the best baby ever just because I was so quiet. They don't even know my other qualities. We were on the plane at midnight, and everyone wished one another a happy new year. Everything is new to me, but 2012 is looking pretty promising.

When we landed, Dad got this really sweet minivan and we drove to Auntie Yan's house in Coral Springs. We didn't arrive until 2:30 in the morning, but I knew that Dad was tired, so I stayed calm for the drive. Even though it was late, I got to meet Aunties Yan, Denise and Annette, and I saw Auntie Dianne again. As soon as I woke up this morning everyone was holding me and playing with me. It made me feel very special. But I also understand that everyone is being strategic. They know that Grammy is coming.

Allow me to explain. Ever since I was born, Mom's mom has been calling every day. Sometimes we Skype, and sometimes she just talks to me on the phone. Ever since we made the plans to meet her here she has been counting down the days because she's so excited to meet me. Everyone else knows that once she arrives, they'll have precious little time with me. And that's fine with me. I'm super excited to meet Grammy and Grandpa. I'll let you know how it goes, but I'm sure I'm going to love them.

And I'm sure they're going to love me, but I'm going to wear my chicken towel. Not every guy can look cute in a chicken towel, but I think I pull it off.

Happy New Year to all my friends and family, and everyone who was so nice to me in 2011. I can't wait to see what 2012 brings.

I Say: Exercise is Fun

It didn't take Mom and Dad long to realize that I don't like staying still. When I get fussy they can usually soothe me by walking around with me. I'm not expert on these things, but it seems like that was pretty predictable considering how active Mom was while she was pregnant with me. She'd run and swim all the time. (Not fast like before I was there, but she was still moving.) She'd ride a stationary bike. Then sometimes she'd do some less conventional things. There was the time she and I used a hula hoop. (I include myself because I think I helped her hold it up.)

Three weeks before I was born, Mom was doing headstands with me. Apparently that's not typical of women who are 7.5 months pregnant.

Mom at Lake Placid, October 2011

So is it any wonder that I like movement now? At times, Mom and Dad love that. Yesterday Mom went running in Van Cortlandt Park and Dad took me for a walk all over the park. I loved it, he loved it, everyone was happy. I like the fresh air and I tend to be very peaceful and calm when I'm moving. The problem comes when the movement stops. I'm not shy about sharing my displeasure when this happens. At times, Mom has had to resort to some unconventional methods to keep me calm while getting her exercise.

And just so Dad doesn't feel left out, here he is using a more standard means of rocking me to sleep. As you can see, it's not as creative, but it did the trick.

I Say: Happy Birthday Mom

Saturday was Mom's 40th birthday. Even though that's supposed to be a big deal, Mom didn't want to have a big celebration. Instead she wanted to spend the day with me. I liked that idea.

We started the day with a visit from my new friend Corinna and her moms, Heather and Margaret. We had breakfast together and read stories. Corinna was so nice that I can't wait to see her again.

Corinna is so smart that she could have helped with the big words. 

Despite the look on my face, I loved meeting Corinna.

After breakfast the three of us went up to Van Cortlandt Park. Mom and Dad took turns walking with me while the other one ran. I like walking around and I like being outside, so this was a lot of fun. Plus I got to see Nate and Glo again too. Mom got a carrot cake. Mom loves carrot cake almost as much as she loves me. And that's a lot. 

We followed our trip to the park with a "team nap" together. I like sleeping in the bed with Mom and Dad and lately they've seemed a little tired, so it worked out well for everyone.

Nap time for the men of the house.

Later on we went to visit Mom's family out in New Jersey. I saw Auntie Kay and lots of new people too. Everyone fussed over me, which was quite flattering. Recently I haven't been enjoying the nights so much. When I don't feel great my only way to tell Mom and Dad about it is to cry, and that's exactly what I did. A lot. Luckily Auntie Kay lent a helping hand, and so did a nice lady named Ashlie. She works with kids so she helped calm me down and gave Mom and Dad a little breather. Thankfully, I've been feeling better these last few nights, so hopefully the nights will be a little calmer around here. 

There were no big parties for Mom's birthday, but I hope she knows how much Dad and I love her. Happy Birthday Mom. 

I Say: I Love All These Visitors

I'm sorry that I've fallen so far behind in blogging about my social life. It's not that it's not important to me. Quite the contrary. The problem is that most of my day is spent greeting guests or sleeping. Or at times both. Anyway, Dad says that I'd better get caught up on things before I hit puberty and nobody recognizes me, so here's an update on some of my recent visitors.

A while back I met my new friend Ali over at JackRabbit. She doesn't work there, but she got word that I was visiting and she dropped everything to come over and see me. I appreciated that. I made such a good impression on her that she came to visit me at home and brought her boyfriend Brian. I approved of him and made my feelings known by spending most of the afternoon sleeping on his chest while Dad spent most of the afternoon eating muffins that Ali cooked. (How is it that I'm the cute one who lures the guests, but Dad's the one who gets snacks? That hardly seems fair.)

Brian, me (center) and Ali

Gloria and Nate came by with their nephew Oliver. He's a big kid. (Dad says Nate's a big kid too.) And Glo was really fun too. They were unanimous in their opinion that I'm cute. I hope to get to play with all three of them when I get a little older.

Then Mom and Dad's friend Kwok-Ming visited. I'm told that has been asking about me from way before my arrival, and was always concerned and supportive.

Everybody knows Ming

I really enjoy all these visitors. Later in the week I'll tell you about some of the other nice folks who have been stopping by.

I Say: Friday Wasn't Bad After All

My mom is a school teacher. She works with big kids in High School. Right now she's on maternity leave so she can stay home and take care of me, but on Friday she had to go into work for a day. Though she didn't like to admit it, I think she was a little nervous because she had to leave me with Dad. Coincidentally, Dad didn't want to admit it, but I think he was a little nervous too. Thankfully - and mostly because I was so cooperative - everything went perfectly.

The day started when Mom and I woke up a little after 6. That's not so unusual for us, but from what I'm told, Dad isn't used to being up so early. When Mom woke up she left me with Dad. I was wide awake, so Dad was too. Mom went off to school and Dad and I stayed home for a few hours. We took a little nap, but mostly just hung around the house. Around 10 he fed me and got me cleaned up and dressed. Then we got on a subway and a bus to go visit Mom at school. As usual I liked the public transportation, so that went smoothly. We got to school and Mom was in conferences. I saw her but stayed calm and quiet because I know that's what you're supposed to do in a school. (Plus Dad told me that I need to make a good impression on the Admissions Committee.)

Dad feeding me. 

Dad left me at school with Mom for a while and I got to visit with all Mom's co-workers and friends. Her friend Lauren even came by with her son Ryder and baby daughter Mia. It was great to see all these people. Then Dad came back and watched me for a couple more hours while Mom went back to work. By the end of the day Mom and I were pooped. We came home and took what Mom calls a "big fat nap".

All in all it was a great day. I think Dad enjoyed spending time with just the two of us, and I think Mom was a little relieved that it went so well. I know she misses me when she's not around me - and I certainly can't blame her for that - but at least now she realizes that Dad and I are OK without her for a little while. Just don't go too far away mom.