Monday, December 29, 2008

Dancing Girls and Baby Jesus

Ok. I am sure that title sounds a little weird. However, that pretty much sums up the content of the Radio City Christmas Spectacular.

It was AWESOME.

I partially watched/took pictures/laughed/ohmygoshed/cried through the whole thing. Some of that had to do with the fact that I was actually THERE...in Radio City Music Hall, watching THE Rockettes (that I had only ever watched before during countless Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parades) and I was with all my "girls."

But another part was the fact that it was Christmas. I am not a big fan of the "Happy Holidays" greeting and pretty much try to not use it. I realize other people are celebrating other things this time of year, but we celebrate CHRISTMAS. And so that is what I like to say. Merry Christmas. Happily enough, the Christmas Spectacular is just about Christmas. Sure, about 2/3rds of it is the Santa/Shopping aspect of Christmas.

But then, THEN, there is a live Nativity. With real camels. CAMELS PEOPLE! IN NEW YORK CITY! I still wonder how they get them there and where they stay between shows, etc. etc.

It was so beautiful I actually got tears in my eyes. Of course, in between all that I tried to get a picture of it.


I will try and post tomorrow about the shopping/sightseeing portion of the trip.

Plus, I should probably post about our Christmas (especially since it was a certain little man's first!).

Here's a sneak peak...

Sunday, December 21, 2008

5 Months

Dear Baby Boy,

I can't believe 5 months ago today you were born. I can't believe how big you are getting. I also can't believe Christmas is going to be here in 4 days.

Time doesn't just fly, it flies on a supersonic jet!


This has been another busy month...full of holiday cheer and happiness.

It also was the first time I was away from you for any real length of time...and while you seemed ok with it at first, you decided to show me just what you thought about my absence by going on a nursing strike when I returned. For two days. That was a hard time, and you got your point across, believe me! I won't be going anywhere for awhile...

You are still a super good baby. Of course, I knew as soon as I typed our last monthly post about you sleeping through the night that that it would change, and it did for awhile. But for the most part you are still a good sleeper and still a happy baby.

This month you are most happy about the dog. We have no idea why because that dog will bark and bark and bark and ... well, you get the idea. But when she walks in the room and you see her, you laugh and laugh and get the biggest grin on your face.


You also started using your exersaucer. You seem particularly intent on figuring out how to bounce in it. You have not shown any interest in rolling, but you have started to notice your hands and feet more and we are pretty sure we will see some teeth pop out soon. Or you just are one drooly, drooly guy. The drool, combined with your spit-up (oh yes, still with the the spit-up) means the laundry is becoming it's very own mountain in our laundry room.


We continue to be amazed at how quickly you are growing. You are just about out of your 6 month sleepers, we have gone up another diaper size, and you have the longest feet (and toes!) I have ever seen. Really.

Just don't grow up too fast, Baby Boy.

Friday, December 19, 2008

Tiny Home - Big City

First of all, I HAVE to thank my sister for being our tour guide/awesome host on our trip to NYC.
She is the cooler, hipper, braver, younger version of me.

She has moved every year for the last 3 years (did I also mention she is fearless?) and a big part of what prompted us to visit her in NY now is that she is moving to LA in January.

I always try and see the places she is living when she moves. It helps me envision her in her home when we are talking on the phone, especially now that she is moving all over the country (or so it seems).

All I knew about her apartment in the Upper East Side was it was small. Really, really small. And expensive. REALLY, REALLY expensive.

Finally, I have seen the apartment, and it has lived up to its reputation.

The door on the left is her apartment. It is a little blurry, but the hallway goes to a point and that little strip of white at the end is all the divides her door from the door across the hall.

I am taking this picture leaning against the back wall of her apartment. Yes, that is her bed Baby Girl is resting on. And yes, that is her kitchen. This is it. Her whole place in one picture. There is a dresser to the left that is out of frame...but you get the idea.

This is the closet/entrance to the bathroom (you can see the closet just behind the kitchen in the previous picture). I realize that looks like A LOT of shoe boxes.

OK, it IS a lot of shoe boxes...but it's what she does for a living. NO, not shop for shoes...she works for the company!

We didn't sleep at her apartment (for obvious space reasons) but I was so glad to have the chance to see it. Of course, I have to start planning my trip to LA so I can see her next place!

Next up...Radio City, Shopping, and More Pictures!

Tuesday, December 16, 2008

New York, New York

We're back! We survived the crowds, the cold and the craziness and had a lovely "Girls Only" weekend. I'll post more later. Here is a video that pretty much sums up Baby Girl's favorite thing about the whole trip:

Thursday, December 11, 2008

Why I REALLY Love Christmas ...

This is the most wonderful time of the year...

for commercials.

Things you forgot about all year long are suddenly being advertised because, hey, someone might like it for a gift!

For some reason, when this commercial comes on I really know Christmas time is here. Because, really, when else do you see this around?

Anyway, trying to distract myself from the fact that I still need to pack, finish decorating the tree and make sure Baby Boy has clean clothes for when we are gone this weekend.

Plus, Baby Girl informed me yesterday that maybe she was a little sad she was going to miss Polar Express Day at school and would like to stay home instead of going to New York City. I had to pull out the laptop and show her Exciting Pictures! of Rockefeller Center! and Big Trees! and Ice Rinks! and Rockettes! She seemed a little more excited. At least I am!

I am feeling a little (a LOT) guilty about leaving Baby Boy. I know he will be fine. Dr. Dad is more than capable. Baby Boy won't even remember I am gone (I know this, because when Baby Girl was about 8 months old Dr. Dad and I ran away went to New Orleans, and she swears she remembers none of it).

Ok! Distraction! Look at the pretty picture of our house, decorated for Christmas! (Thank you Dr. Dad!).



Tuesday, December 9, 2008

Ho Ho Ho

I will not talk about how fast this month is going.
I will not panic that I am not done decorating.
I will not worry about money.
I will not stress out that it won't all get done.



I will keep looking at this picture.



Baby Girl and I leave on Friday with her Nonna to visit my sister in New York City. I am sure I will have a lot to say about that when I get back.

Dr. Dad will have Baby Boy all to himself this weekend. Let's hope Baby Boy sleeps!

Thursday, December 4, 2008

Genetics

Once Upon A Time, I thought I would be a Genetic Counselor.

Then, I realized it required a lot of Math, which is my nemesis.

So I became an English Major.

Anyway, I have a general idea of how genetics work. However. How is it that I can carry my children but yet they look nothing like me?!

Evidence:

Dr. Dad at 4 Months

Baby Boy at 4 Months

My only hope is that he will keep his blue eyes and be like his Mama.

Tuesday, December 2, 2008

Contests

Sometimes blogs I read hold contests that I think are cool. And to give me (and you!) a chance to win I am blogging about them here...

First up at 4 Little Men there is this contest to win a tummy time mat.

I think Baby Boy would LOVE IT! So I am entering by blogging about it here.

Also, over at My Charming Kids, there is a donation raffle (see the link on my sidebar) for an awesome camera and a chance to help out some very worthy causes. Plus, this little information gets me entered for a cool bonus prize!

Finally, over at Deal Seeking Mom, there is a chance to leave a tip on how to save money and enter to win a $500 Walmart Gift Card!

Enjoy!