Take 88 of thinking, this isn't how it's supposed to be...

     Day 88ish of the Q ends the school year. No ice cream, pool parties, sweat dripping off uniforms, endlessly annoying teachers until the bitter end or crafty projects were had at the end of second and fifth grades. Instead, we wore masks, gloves, and followed taped lines to return textbooks. No soft, comforting hugs from teachers we've been with all year or climbing the rock one last time with good friends happened. During KK's last Zoom yesterday with his teacher reading aloud, I was overcome with sadness. June is always a hard month, as school ends, it's KK's birthday, and so many feelings from the summer he was born resurface. Yesterday, I just started crying in my red chair. Max asked me if I was crying. 

     "Yes, I'm crying. I'm sad the school year is ending this way. It sucks," I said.

     KK came over and told me I needed a hug. I did. Max was being a tween and seemed to carry on whatever he was doing.

     KK had this amazing teacher this year, but missed out on three months with her amazingness due to the Q. He missed playing tetherball at recess, running with his friends, and learning fractions at school. Max grew in more ways than height this year with a mostly fabulous group of teachers. A few ones he truly connected with and was equally sad to be finishing up his first year of middle school so much so that he said he didn't want the year to end! He actually liked learning from home, and excelled at it. He woke up on his own for his 9 a.m. zoom and mostly didn't complain about it. KK was the complete opposite. He needs his people.

    I'm allowing myself to be sad about the way the school year is ending. Let's not compare apples and tarantulas. Yes, we are very lucky to live in an amazing house, with no food insecurities, and feel safe. In no way am I discounting anyone else's struggles with my own. Everyone has something. Let's remember that.  

Mother's day in the Q

I'm just not the mom I thought I would be...

My guess is that we were all better parents before we had children or if you do not have children, you think you would do it better. Before children, I didn't want my kids to get Chanukah presents for every night; I thought I would work full-time and come home with adoring kids; dinner made and homework completed. Ha!

I didn't know that my husband would work so much when I was pregnant with my first (Max, 11, on the right) because he was in his intern year that I would worry he wouldn't be around when the baby was born. I didn't know I wouldn't be able to breastfeed like I planned. I didn't know I would be so lonely with just a baby to keep me company for hours on end. You know what else I didn't know? I didn't know how marvelous it would feel when my sarcastic kid laughs at my jokes, tells his own,  "gets" his math, uses his own money to purchase mother's day presents, writes me sweet notes when I need them or tells me when I look like I need a hug--then gives me one. 

My husband was there when Max was born and the days prior (albeit still working kind of) and even got a surprise week of paternity leave. By the way, fed is best and I should really get over not being able to breastfeed. Guilt. I made friends, went out, found ways by myself to be less lonely and eventually he started reacting and becoming a baby instead of an infant.

I thought I would build legos, draw pictures, cook, and all the other cutesy stuff on Pinterest. Ha. I do build legos, then the 7 year old takes it away because he needs that piece, we draw then someone gets frustrated or uses sharpie on the table, cooking is a hot mess (but fun and experimental with FAILING) and I really do not do Pinterest, so don't send me there. I find pockets of time 1:1 with each kid to be the most rewarding right now. I still trip over my pre-conceived notions of what I SHOULD be as a mother or as I imagined, but I'm working on just putting one foot in front another and doing the best I can. You should too.   

    

Zoomeral

     My great Aunt Miriam, 98, (my grandmother's sister) passed away this week. This morning was my first Zoom funeral. I saw cousins

Zoomeral attended by 25+ families

I haven't seen in years, heard stories of her and my grandmother. I actually appreciated being on Zoom and not IRL. I put on lipstick, just for Aunt Miriam, because she would have expected it. Aunt Miriam lived close to my Dad and Lynn and when I was growing up, she power walked all the time. I saw her at least once or twice a week and she always had her blouse tucked in and lipstick on her lips. Often she would be saying, allright, allright and shaking her head with her perfect beauty parlor hair standard in her generation. Aunt Miriam helped start the Golden Agers at the JCC, which meet where I attended elementary school (Chattanooga Jewish Day School) on Wednesdays for as long as I could remember. I don't remember a time when the old ladies and a scattering of men weren't there. They met in the room across from the preschool rooms and most likely played Mah Jongg, Canasta, Bridge, who knows what? Some times there were speakers talking about aging or who knows what? One day in elementary school I asked Aunt Miriam what would happen when she's not longer walking around helping the golden agers and she IS a golden ager? Her response was quick, I'll join them! Of course she would!

     I haven't seen Aunt Miriam in years, since she decided being home was where she wanted to be (as far as I know) and she didn't have visitors (to my knowledge other than immediate family). My guess is that she wanted to be remembered for her perfect hair, tucked in blouse, lipstick and power walk; not as someone who didn't go out, which is exactly the way I will remember her.

     The birds took over any silence on this morning's Zoomeral led by Rabbi Tendler. Social distancing didn't allow for a large gathering, but if not, there would have been a huge community outpouring of memories and support for Doc, Eddie, Gwen, Jonathan, Jennifer and Charles. May her memory be for a blessing and bring comfort to those who mourn. 

Parenting the spirited

KK, 6, builds a tower at 8 p.m.

I've always known the boys (6 and 9) had extra energy, but I chalked it up to the fact that their dad works a lot and we move often. I'm wrong. I'm sure those are factors, but I've learned that we're parenting "spirited" children. This is a loose term, that most likely will be varied in definitions from parent to parent.

Post Yom Kippur service, they wanted to climb on scaffolding.

     What is means to me is that my kids are extra. Extra sensitive, extra needy, extra loving, extra argumentative, just MORE. I know many friends will not agree with this and think that we just need to be meaner and set more rules. I know the boys and this will just cause them to push back. There are only so many rules I can argue about legitimately. "I'm the mom, that's why" never works. 

    Some hard no-negotiating rules are wearing helmets while biking or scootering; carseats always; be kind; no hitting. Do they have a set bedtime? No. Their dad gets home at varied times and we want them to see each other, so the 6-year-old goes to bed between 8-8:30 and the 9-year-old starts negotiating about 8:45ish.

     Do they bathe every night? No. Max, 9, just started not arguing about showering when I ask. He's 9 and a half. Seriously. The 6-year-old argues every time. He wants to know if he smells. He wants to know if he can do it tomorrow. He wants to know WHYYYYYY he has to bathe.

    Brushing teeth, same thing. Every single day. It's exhausting. I'm tired. I was compelled to write this after seeing another spirited group of kids at the playground this afternoon. Next time I'm going to talk about how the spirtedness effects friendships.

Adventures on ridiculous mid-winter break

     

As a southerner, the idea of a mid-winter break in February for a week sounds ridiculous. Really, it is. I totally get that kids and parents need a break from school and agree. I just don't agree with a whole week! Luckily, I am a part-time WAHM right now and get to spend breaks with them. I do truly enjoy it, but it's exhausting and I need breaks!

     Today, my friend, L and I planned a fun adventure to Liberty Science Center in NJ. Quite the schlepp from Brooklyn. It's not far, but it would take three trains to get there. Together, we each had a backpack and four kids ranging from 5-9. I cannot even tell you how many snacks we packed and were consumed. Guess what, as L pointed out later in the day, we received NO dirty/disapproving looks on the trains. 

     The day was gorgeous and the kids played outside after our second train landed us in NJ. One reason L and I get along so well is that our kids were playing on parked citibikes for about 20 minutes and we were both good with it. They needed to PLAY. 

     We decided to hang out in the park area and eat lunch. Of course, someone had to pee. You can figure out where he went. We arrived at the Liberty Science Center and were pleasantly surprised at the lack of crowds! The kids were SUPER excited to try out controlling a robot and climbing in a super cool structure. We watched a movie and were the only ones in the theater. When was the last time that happened!?

     Dinner at Chipotle happened and the kids started getting feisty (RE: touchy with their siblings). It was time to go! I shut down the snack bar and L was tapped out of food.  

     It took all the way until the subway for us to get disapproved looks. Honestly, the children sat away from their siblings and were not screaming or touching others. They were very goofy including Max (8.5) saying to KK and M: Truth or dare? KK: I have awesome hair! Most of our fellow passengers laughed at KK trying to pole dance or M trying to hide in his shirt. The lady who scowled at us had an epic stare and dirty look. I could learn from her! Our kids were oblivious to her dirty looks, but L and I noticed. Thank goodness home was near. L and I called it a success.      

Solidarity

This is motherhood. Solidarity.

Solidarity

“If you can’t control your children, you should have less of them," he snarled at us on the M57 bus in Manhattan on the Upper East Side. The bus was making a wide turn onto East End Avenue as I stared at him incredulously. Never will I forget how this made me feel; about as small as this period. I cried. 

We were sitting in the back on a very crowded bus. My two active boys, then four and one, along with a good friend’s son, also four, were sitting on their knees. looking out of the window being curious. They were not screaming or thrashing about (that had happened before). They were being children in a crowded city. 

I gathered my courage beyond my tears and told him that it’s hard enough raising children in the city that I didn’t need him criticizing me. Proud to stand up to him, but still shaken by the incident, my tears kept flowing.

Living in Manhattan was never apart of my dream. My husband was in training and it led us to the city. I was determined to make the best of it; living in a two bedroom/one bath walk-up with four people and less than 600 square feet. 

"It’s an adventure,” I told myself. 

After three years in Manhattan and another year in California, his training is complete. Guess what, we are in Brooklyn now. Quieter than Manhattan, it’s still busy and judgmental. 

Now eight and four, the boys are watching my reactions to criticism of parenting in public. 

I’VE HAD ENOUGH. 

No “aha” moment happened except while traveling to Newark along with friends, a lady of a certain age (she definitely qualified for senior citizen benefits), doled out the nasty looks at Penn Station while our children were walking on the right side of a pathway. By the way, she was on the right walking in the opposite direction. I said, to no one in particular, “walk on the right, please.”

With 45 in office and the Me Too movement in full momentum, I ask that parents and care givers everywhere, not just in New York City, join the solidarity movement. Solidarity for supporting other parents safe choices. Solidarity for standing up to snarls, nasty glances, and judgement. If the child is safe, solidarity.

Instead of judging, think back to a time when you felt the way I did as a young mom on the bus, struggling. Ask if that parent wants help by saying, “Is there anything I can do?” or “How can I help you”? If a kid is throwing a tantrum, it’s ok. Maybe they are tired or hungry or sleepy or haven’t seen their dad in four days. 

Give the care giver the benefit of the doubt. It’s hard enough to parent today without the nastiness. Just by smiling at the parent of the tantruming child, you are saying to them, “You will be ok; this is not about you; SOLIDARITY”. 

2011 reflections

My cousin, Lauren, is great about keeping up her blog. My stepmom, Lynn, is also. I just forget about it. Since I'm pregnant with Max's sibling, I thought I would try again. I know I will have some long nights ahead of me, so I might as well blog away! I'm on FB, Google+, and now Pinterest. Lauren posted all about 2011 and I keep thinking about our year last year. Unfortunately, my post will not be as light-hearted as hers.

2011 started off with a ton of snow! I was teaching third grade and definite about not returning in the fall. Having a busy husband and no family around caused me to make this decision, along with the fact that I felt like I was doing nothing well. I wasn't a great mom or teacher or wife. So, I left the classroom in June and amazed I made it to the end of the school year. In February, my principal died of lung cancer. This was just the beginning of several cancer deaths for us last year. He was a wonderful man and was always positive and encouraging. Max enjoyed being in school, but I definitely missed him with my mind on all my children even when I was at home. We traveled to Tampa in February to visit family there. My Aunt Pennie was fighting another bout of breast cancer, but it seemed this battle would not end well. We met my mom and Issi there and had a great time visiting.

In May, Stephanie and I went to NYC for a girls weekend. We had a wonderful time until Saturday. Lou's mom had hernia surgery on Thursday and was found unconscious Saturday morning. It was decided that she should be transferred to Yale where she would be closer to us and Lou could monitor her. In the ambulance, she coded and never recovered brain function. I was incredibly sad for Lou. I was also sad for the relationship we never had. I know of friends who have wonderful relationships with their in-laws. We never had that. Lou took some time off of work and was by her side daily. It was a very trying emotional time. We moved her to New Haven in June where we could visit. Lou and I differed on end of life choices, which caused more stress in our lives.

In June, my friend, mentor, and boss died of breast cancer. Chris was in her mid-60s and led an amazing life. Max's bris was at her house. She was a straight-shooter and was incredibly giving and honest. I only hope I can be more like her. She's the founder of New Haven Reads. We had many talks while she was sick in the hospital and at her home. The last time I saw her, in early June, it was a rainy day and I had Max with me. I almost cancelled for no reason other than the fact that it was gross out. I'm so glad that I didn't. She was on oxygen, but we were still laughing and joking. I took off Max's shoes and out poured a ton of sand. I told her I was sorry and she just shrugged her shoulders and said, "No big deal, we can vacuum!" In true Chris fashion, there was no funeral. They held a memorial service in September that was quite lovely. I think of her when I'm at New Haven Reads. I think of her when I need some light-hearted parenting advice. I think of her when a book falls off the shelf at NHR or a child is excited about getting a word right. She's always there.

The summer was uneventful after that. My grandmother turned 94 and is still rather funny. Max and I did our annual tour of TN. In September, Pennie took a turn for the worse and we knew she was not long for this life. She spent her final days in her home surrounded by her awesome sons and her siblings. Max and I went to Florida and saw Pennie unconscious and I was able to say goodbye. While I was very sad and emotional, it was so lovely to be able to say goodbye and have time with family. Max was fabulous at cheering us up. Pennie played such a profound part in my growing up. She lived less than a mile away from my childhood home for many years and I woud see her and her children daily or weekly. I know from my mom, her good friend (despite being my dad's sister), that she gave my mom parenting advice. When Max was born, Pennie and David came to his bris. Pennie stayed with us the night before his bris. Max woke up several times, I fed him a few times and Pennie just got up with him at 5:30 and let us sleep. She was just that way. So often something funny happens or Max says something witty and I want to call her. As my dad tells my grandmother, "I don't think she has a phone where she is..."

October brought our first big snow that was forecasted to fall while Max and I were in Vermont with Rachel and Tristan. We left early, but the snow started pouring in Massachusetts. It was pretty brutal driving. We made it to Hartford and stayed! I thought it was going to be an awful winter, but it's been rather pleasant thus far.

November was great with my mom and Issi coming for Thanksgiving. Jenna, my stepsister, came down for the day also. We had a great turkey, stuffing, and a few sides. It was really nice to just have family at home and not be traveling.

In December, we all went to NY to celebrate Katie's bat mitzvah. What a weekend! Keith and Ellen really did a marvelous job! We had a wonderful time and the food was amazing. The morning my mom and Issi were supposed to leave the phone rang. It was The Mary Wade Home, where Lou's mom lived. She had passed away in her sleep. It didn't seem real to me until I saw her in the casket. She looked like her old self. Great hair, painted nails and proud stance. That's the way I will remember her, not as the patient semi-conscious. Lou's niece, Ashely spoke at the funeral about "The Nana I knew". It was such a fitting tribute to her memory of her relationship with her nana. This is the way I want to remember all of those who I know who died--the __________ I knew.

At the end of 2011, Max had the stomach flu, then I got it. My friend said it was an end-of-the year cleanse. I know that 2012 will be a better year. 2011 was brutal. Our new baby is due July 1 and we find out where we're moving to in June 2013. So far, so good.

2nd birthday

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Today, March 13, 2011, we celebrated Max's second birthday at the Shoreline Trolley Museum. Thanks to my friend Kim V. (who also gave him the super cute yellow beach chair with his name on it!) for suggesting it! We had a wonderful time taking two trips up and down the tracks. We ate delicious cupcakes in ice cream cones, sang happy birthday, made a delightful mess, and visited with friends and family. Grammy, Popky, Uncle Carl, Aunt Crystal, and cousin Ashley all made the trip for the big day! Max's actual birthday is tomorrow 3-14! He'll be spending the day with Grammy! Thanks to everyone who helped us celebrate.

I got the ultimate compliment from my good friend Rachel today, "Can you please plan T's 3rd birthday party?" Ahh...it's the little things in life.

TWO MONTHS-no oops

From video

From January 2011- snow

Well, we've been rather busy the last 2 months. Mom and Issi came to visit for Thanksgiving. We had a wonderful time (as always) and Issi made an amazing turkey. Max refused to eat it, though. Goof. December was a rough month in school, as the kids were anxiously awaiting Dec. break. Over winter break, cousins Anne and JD had a darling boy, Mose. He joins big sister, Tova (3) to their family in Philadelphia. Max and I went there for the bris. Max and Mose will have a unique cousin bond (me thinks) because they share the same hebrew name and are both named for Grandpa Abie! Mom and Issi returned with us to CT for a few days and we loved having them here for our anniversary! Lou surprised me and we went to an awesome French Rest. in Branford. Yum!

January was fine the first week back to school, then the students seem to have cabin fever. I'm a bit frustrated at this time with my class.

Max is doing great at his new "school" and we're very happy there. Over winter break, while we were in Philadelphia (where it also snowed), it snowed 11". Then, last week we got slammed with 29" of snow and we were out of school for TWO days (unheard of)! Max keeps saying, "snow, COLD!" Yes, Max, snow is cold. Sometimes he wants to walk in it and other times it's just, "up, up, up!"

He continues to add to his vocabulary. His walking has improved greatly and he now runs and kicks. Max continues to THROW things that he shouldn't and we're working on that. He's so fun to hang out with and continues to make funny faces. His latest look are his big eyes wide open with his hand over his mouth that's formed in an O.

I'm not apologizing for not posting. I'm busy. Teaching full-time, Mommying full-time, and running our household have me running around like a chicken with her head cut off. It's just too much. I am not superwoman. MERCY!!!! (remember that game?)

Until next time (next year?)

Fall fun

Here's photos from Max's professional photo shoots this fall. Molly of MEFphoto.com rocks!!!

It's been a busy few months in the Stein household. September was full of fun as I went back to the classroom full time. I'm teaching 3rd grade at an urban school in New Haven. I have a lively class with many challenges. I am happy to be back, but it's always a challenge finding a balance, which I'm not entirely sure is possible. I'm trying to work more at school and not bring home work at night, but this is not working out on the weekends so well.

Lou is on night float right now. It's awful. I feel awful for him. While I mostly always take Max to and fro through the day, it's especially hard for Max who doesn't understand why he's going days without seeing his daddy! At least I understand what's going on, although it doesn't make it any easier!

August travels

Max and I went to Chattanooga, Dandridge, and Lynchburg over the past few weeks. We arrived in Nashville and Erin and Spencer drove us to Chattanooga. Max slept for all of 5 minutes in the car and was a great traveler! He didn't go to sleep until 9 that night (usually he's in bed by 7:30). The next day we hung out at Erin's parent's house and swam. The boys had a great time together and really seemed to enjoy each other's company. Of course, Erin and I enjoyed hanging out also. While we were in Chattanooga we saw many friends and family. It was SUPER miserably hot and my little sweatbox had to be changed several times in a day usually (his clothes). We went to the zoo with Erin, Spencer, Dad, and Lynn. WOW! What a fun day!

Max hung out with his great-grandmothers as well. Mommy Anne just loves him and says he's a great baby. Mama came over and played with him on the floor! She's doing great!!! Max loved being the center of attention and was am amazing traveler.

Next we drove to Dandridge to see Stephanie and her family. We had a great time relaxing by the pool and eating! Larry took care of the four boys while Steph and I went to see a movie! So lovely! Max loved hanging out with the big boys! Rex (her 2 year old) and he got along very well and seemed to be friends! Thanks for hosting us!!! We had a blast!

After Dandridge, we drove to Lynchburg to see Laura and Jason. After getting a bit lost (ok, very! and my cell dying) we finally arrived at supper time. I was more frustrated than Max at that point! Laura and I had a wonderful time relaxing and watching Max play. He loved the baby pool at her house.

Now he's shaking his head up and down and asking for, "wa wa." I'm so glad he can communicate now! Lou picked us up at the airport yesterday and both Max and I had a hard time going to sleep back at home. Oh, but what a great sleep it was! This morning Max was evaluated since he's not walking. The speech therapist said he's well above 17 months in his verbal and cognitive skills, but he does have a significant gross motor delay (low muscle tone). So, that's why he's not walking yet. We're going to start some PT with him.

Thanks for all our wonderful visits, but we sure are glad to be back home with daddy (who's on vacation!!!).

Family and friends visits

From Philadelphia visit

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WOW! Two posts in one month! I must be working part-time. I am only working at New Haven Reads for a few weeks until Summer School starts. Then, I'm back to two jobs for a month or so, then I'm leaving NHR. Max and I are traveling and hanging out with family and friends in August. Lou is off for two whole weeks, so we plan on having some major family time! YAH!

Our niece, Ashley, came to visit last weekend. My friend Leslie and I held a tag sale and I needed someone to watch Max while we did that, and Ashley was graduating from 8th grade the following week, so she was free! Lucky for us! Max absolutely adores her and I don't blame him! She's great with him and so fun to watch her interact with Max.

This past weekend Max and I went to Philadelphia. I made the mistake of taking 206 in NJ instead of the turnpike. What was I thinking!? The trip was free, but it added an extra 2 hours to the trip! We stayed at Aunt Carol and Uncle Mike's on Weds. night. Mira and Anja were visiting from California, which was why we chose to go to Philly then... We had a great visit and Mira took some amazing shots of Max playing in the grass! Max loved watching his bigger cousins and trying to play with them. Tova, Anne, and JD came over for dinner (complete with awesome matzo balls!) and we all watched our kids play and laugh (and cry) together. What a great evening!

On Thursday, Max and I headed to my former school, Imani, to visit friends. Visits there are never long enough, but I always feel fabulous when I'm there! I love seeing my former students and teacher friends. It's so wonderful to be able to go back to a place where I truly enjoyed my job and was challenged constantly! Not that I'm not challenged now, it's just different to not be in the classroom. Max needed a nap, so we headed over to my pal Rachel's house nearby, where she and I visited while he napped. It worked out perfectly! We headed up to Aunt Myra's in Yardley then. It just so happened that Aunt Pennie was also in town, so we had a triple aunt visit!

On Friday, Ali came to visit, and she, Pennie, Max, and I went to Center City. We went to my favorite shoe store, The Continental for lunch, and tooled around. Max missed his afternoon nap, but took a short snooze in the car. It's so fabulous how adaptable he is---he slept in three different pack n plays in a few days and was ok with it! Then, we were off again to get our hair cut! Max had his first lollipop while we were there, he loved it! Those pictures are on my phone...

Saturday was rather relaxing. Pennie, Myra, Max, and I went to Willow Grove mall. Max and I departed early so he could nap in a real bed. I also took a snooze! Scott came over and later Beth and her kids (Chase and Olivia)...so wonderful to visit with cousins! Max adorned the attention and especially was drawn to his cousin, Scott, who we think is a baby magnet---all babies love him! And I must say he is great with them.

Max and I headed back to New Haven to celebrate Father's day with Lou (who was post-call). I made the dreaded mistake of taking the GW bridge instead of the Tappen Zee. We sat in traffic going towards the bridge for 2-3 miles for 2 HOURS! Max was more patient than I was. We were jamming out to his Music Together CDs from music class.

On Wednesday, Max and I are headed out to Colorado to visit my brother, Dan. My Mom and Issi are also meeting us out there. I welcome any advice for flying with a very active toddler on a four hour flight). He's great with take-off and landing, it's just the entertaining in-between.

oops...a month has passed

From outside with Max/Alexa's shower Max, Lou and I loved sitting in the grass at our old apt. It started last summer when Max and I would wait out there for Lou to come home. That was before. Before Max started moving like a maniac! I'm happy he crawls, pulls up, talks, and reacts; but sometimes I long for the days when he just wanted to be held or swaddled. I am in no way ready for another child, I just appreciate him when he was in baby blob mode more now that he's mobile! Just today he started pointing to his ears, mouth, toes, belly, and shoes when we ask him where they are. He's already been pointing to his nose for a month or so, now he also says "NOOOOO..." (as in, nose). Mom and Issi have been here a long stretch. I love it when there here because I can come home at lunch time and see them and Max! It's also wonderful to have help! I feel like I've been on vacation. Issi put up gates on the stairs for moving Max and mom mostly unpacked us! Thank goodness! I just didn't have the patience to unpack. My job at school ends on Friday. I'm a bit sad, but feel very accomplished at helping my children become readers! The next week Max and I are off to Philadelphia for a visit, then the following week we'll be heading to Boulder, CO to see my brother, Daniel. Any and all advice for flying with a toddler is welcome! The last time we flew was in Feb. and he wasn't the major squirm he is now. In July I'm teaching Summer School and it's my last month at New Haven Reads. I'm just going to work part-time in the fall unless a teaching job comes along, but I'm not making myself crazy over it.

Toddlerhood

(R) Max had a photo session with Margot's dad, Tarsey. He really captured Max's funny faces!

Max threw his first tantrum yesterday. I was a bit shell shocked. My darling, adorable, cute baby started crying hysterically when I took the spoon that he was putting on his bare foot, then into his mouth away from him. I seriously was SPEECHLESS! I just asked him what he was doing. I did not give the spoon back to him. I did hide it though. It seemed like forever, but it was probably a few seconds and he stopped crying. He was finished eating, so we went outside and he was totally fine! Good-bye crocodile tears! He's been a bit moody lately (I so wonder where he gets that!?)... He's not walking or even cruising yet. I'm ok with that. We're moving next week and I don't really think I can handle much else going on! He wants to be held, held, held, then when he wants, he goes slack against my hip and slides down. Then up again. He has quite the vocabulary! He says mama, dada, ball, boon, egg, leaf (I haven't heard that one yet), yaya (his daycare provider), and various other ba, la, da, pa... We ask him where his nose is and he points to it! Of course, if we ask where anything else is, he points to his nose! Max holds the book correctly (Yah! CAP test for kindergartenders!) and will point to pictures in the book. He loves playing with his blocks, especially knocking down anything tall! He giggles every single time he knocks them down!

If I say, "Max, where's your ball. Bring me the ball, please?" He will find one of his many balls and bring it to me or at least show it to me. I am so delighted that he is where he is developmentally. Equally so I am glad that I can talk with my fellow mommy friends without feeling like we're competing (it's HARD!). We all recognize that our kids will hit milestones at different times and that's ok. Max did get teeth on April 30!!! Two of his bottom ones popped up! Maybe that's why he's been Mr. Moody? He's also down to one nap a day!

My bookclub book just came today, so I need to get reading. I'm almost out of boxes to pack. Is anyone reading this?

Toddlerhood

(R) Max had a photo session with Margot's dad, Tarsey. He really captured Max's funny faces!

Max threw his first tantrum yesterday. I was a bit shell shocked. My darling, adorable, cute baby started crying hysterically when I took the spoon that he was putting on his bare foot, then into his mouth away from him. I seriously was SPEECHLESS! I just asked him what he was doing. I did not give the spoon back to him. I did hide it though. It seemed like forever, but it was probably a few seconds and he stopped crying. He was finished eating, so we went outside and he was totally fine! Good-bye crocodile tears! He's been a bit moody lately (I so wonder where he gets that!?)... He's not walking or even cruising yet. I'm ok with that. We're moving next week and I don't really think I can handle much else going on! He wants to be held, held, held, then when he wants, he goes slack against my hip and slides down. Then up again. He has quite the vocabulary! He says mama, dada, ball, boon, egg, leaf (I haven't heard that one yet), yaya (his daycare provider), and various other ba, la, da, pa... We ask him where his nose is and he points to it! Of course, if we ask where anything else is, he points to his nose! Max holds the book correctly (Yah! CAP test for kindergartenders!) and will point to pictures in the book. He loves playing with his blocks, especially knocking down anything tall! He giggles every single time he knocks them down!

If I say, "Max, where's your ball. Bring me the ball, please?" He will find one of his many balls and bring it to me or at least show it to me. I am so delighted that he is where he is developmentally. Equally so I am glad that I can talk with my fellow mommy friends without feeling like we're competing (it's HARD!). We all recognize that our kids will hit milestones at different times and that's ok. Max did get teeth on April 30!!! Two of his bottom ones popped up! Maybe that's why he's been Mr. Moody? He's also down to one nap a day!

My bookclub book just came today, so I need to get reading. I'm almost out of boxes to pack. Is anyone reading this?

Family and friends visits

From Last Import

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Here's a picture of our niece, Ashley, pushing Max at the park. She lives about an hour away and came on Friday, spent the night and took care of Max while I worked on Saturday. Max loves her!!! We can't wait to have her back! Max is enjoying the outdoors as the weather becomes nicer (sometimes). He's very happy outside. When he cries (rarely), if I take him outside he will stop no matter the weather.

Today Max and I visited Mia, Lena, and Mikaela in Armonk. We had a wonderful relaxing day playing inside and outside.

Blog slacker...

End of March 2010

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I apologize for being a blog slacker, I'll try to be better. We've been very busy with birthday parties, parental visits, and work! Max celebrated friends' birthday parties and then celebrated his own on March 13 at Blend. Our Music Together teacher was the one who led the party and it absolutely rocked! We didn't sing Happy Birthday to him because I thought he would freak out. He knew exactly what to do with his cupcake baked inside the ice cream cone (Thank you Jaymie!!!). He put the cupcake up to his toothless mouth and went to town on it! He really enjoyed it! We gave me another one on Sunday (his actual birthday) and sang to him with a candle in the top. He definitely likes sweets. He actually really likes chocolate, so if I'm eating something chocolate, he thinks it's for him. I share a bit with him because we don't want to be the "NO SWEETS" parents; it's ok in moderation. He's not eating it every day.

My mom and Issi visited and kept Max home while they were here. We had a wonderful visit with Dan (my brother) also while they were here. My dad and Lynn came last week and hung out with Max. Although it's hard to live far away from family, it's so nice when they visit! I appreciate their company more having a long-distance relationship.

Max is a eating, toothless, crawling, goofy face-making little guy! He is an absolute joy. Yesterday he wasn't feeling so well and was a bit crabby--Lou and I didn't know what to do with him! Poor baby! Until next time...

Chanukah and snow

From Chanukah and snow

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Not much has been going on in New Haven the past few weeks and we like it that way! Max is scooting on his bottom and has many funny faces. He's sleeping like a champ, but wakes up and screams sometimes (night terrors Anne A. thinks...). He takes two naps a day and sleeps about 12 hours a night. Usually I have to wake him up in the morning to get him ready to go to daycare. He's Mr. Smiley when I go in to get him in the mornings, which totally gets my day off to a great start. We celebrated Chanukah without fanfare or presents for each night. We figure we only have this year to do that, so we took advantage!

Lou is on the SICU this month and next month is Transplant. I'm working at a neighborhood school tutoring small groups in reading. It's very rewarding, but certainly frustrating when children are running and screaming in the halls. I'm still at New Haven Reads and enjoying running the Science Park location.

Max's 7th month

From Max's 7th month

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Max is growing more and more each day! It's so fun to watch him discovering life. Today we had a family photo shoot at the park. Max sat up for more than a few minutes independently! Yah! It was wonderful to have a family day. Max had an ultrasound last week to check on his head. It's a bit large, so our pediatrician was somewhat concerned... but he's fine!!!

Max's 6 month update and Papa's funeral

Max's 6 month update: He's still a little peanut at 14.2 lbs (10th percentile), 27 inches (75th percentile), and his big ole head is in the 85th percentile! He's now going to eat 2x a day and I'm giving him juice for the first time. He seems to like it, but who knows...

From Chattanooga Oct. 09

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Max and I just returned from a visit to Chattanooga for Papa's funeral.  For more details visit www.emilyandgene.blogspot.com.  He was an amazing man and I'm proud to say I am his granddaughter.  He taught me patience by showing it to me over and over again.  While I am sad about him leaving Earth, I'm happy that he is not stuck in the hospital unable to life life to the fullest as he liked to do.  We had a wonderful visit with family and Max was pretty good traveler.  We missed Lou, but are excited he's off for Thanksgiving this year.  We'll be in Chattanooga again--Max's third plane trip!