Tot Lot

Our neighborhood is so ridiculously "family-friendly" we have our own playground for babies just learning to walk. The Garfield Street Tot Lot may just be the cutest thing ever. And yesterday was opening day. The sun and mild temperatures brought out all the fall babies who were too small to play last year, but right now are thrilled to pull themselves up baby-steps, hurdle down an 18-inch slide, and knock each other over when they fall. Here's Ellie attempting a Sisyphusian climb UP the slide. It didn't go as she hoped, but she sure had fun trying.

Cousin Leila

We got to spend some time with E's Cousin Leila this afternoon, enjoying the beautiful sun in Prospect Park. And what a smile she has... She's also a fashion plate. She refused to take off her scooter helmet and, I'm not sure you can tell in these pictures, but she's wearing butterfly wings. Atta girl.

Supper Time

This is what happens in my house when I feed the cats. One of these days I'm going to let Ellie have her fill.

Happy Lunching

Encouraging her to play peek-a-boo with her lunch bowl? Probably one of those parenting moments I'm going to regret. Happy Friday!

You All Rock

A huge THANK YOU to all of you who sent such encouraging peptalks and emails in the last couple of days. You guys are amazing and it helped so much to hear from you. Things are calming down at work, the weekend is almost here, and I'm feeling much better.

Consider my attitude adjusted.

Whine-Break

I try to keep a positive outlook, but this week? UGH. And since I can't have a wine-break, here's a small whine-break.

We're two weeks out from the c-section date, and I am big, uncomfortable, and exhausted...both physically and mentally. I'm still working, and it's becoming incredibly difficult. The original plan was to slow down these few weeks...take some half days, that sort of thing, but thanks to a co-worker taking a new position and giving notice (I still love you, Lauren!), that hasn't exactly happened. Instead I've been crazy busy and stressed and WOW, Calgon, take me away. It hasn't helped that Bri is working really late hours to prepare for his two-week paternity leave, so I've been doing both morning and night-time Ellie duty. (Baby Boy's due date is during the busiest month at BOTH our jobs. I would say this was brilliant planning on our part, but we all know there was nothing planned about it.)

I know it's only going to last a short while longer, but I just really wish I had the opportunity to take some time off before the baby comes. Just to rest, relax, maybe cook some lasagna for the freezer, and practice my deep breathing. Because I know the craziness is just going to multiply in two weeks. And that's if I make it the full two weeks. Every day a coworker greets me by saying "I'm so glad you're here today." And I'm trying really hard to agree.

Okay, whine over.

Cousins Day

Happy Three Day Weekend!

We honored our Presidents by meeting Mike, Sari, and Leila for breakfast. And didn't get home until bedtime. Mmm....those were some pancakes...

Actually, after breakfast (and a quick stopover at our place so Ellie could power-nap) we piled into Mike and Sari's new minivan and drove to Williamsburg to check out a new play space, appropriately called "Play." The girls had a great time lounging in leather recliners and reading Glamour Magazine. No wait, that was me and Sari. Leila and Ellie had a great time too, playing drums, climbing stairs and generally wreaking havoc. I've said it before, but it's just so wonderful that the girls are close in age and can have such fun together.

After Play, we weren't done test driving the fancy new car (it has a DVD player, and a cooler!), so we headed out to Bensonhust for pizza at Spumoni Gardens. Oh good lord. Bri and I were Spumoni Garden virgins, but I think I may have to become a pizza slut. And spumoni ho. 'Cause it's just that good.

And the best part? We don't have to go to work tomorrow.

Nursery Reveal

Ahhh....Finally, the nursery is approaching readiness. DONE isn't a word I'm quite comfortable with, but if Baby Boy were to arrive tomorrow? I think we're ready. There are still some cosmetic things to be done in the living room, but we all have someplace to sleep, someplace to sit, and someplace to eat dinner, so I'm feeling pretty good.

Who knew that two short years would take us from this:

To this:

There isn't a lot of excess space, but at least we haven't resorted to bunking the cribs!

Valentines Day

Just an open note to publicly thank my awesome husband for coming home early last night, taking over Ellie duties, encouraging me to take a bath, cooking a steak with MAD SKILLS, and generally being awesome. Best Valentines Ever. Thanks, babe.

Tickle Me Ellie

One of these days, she's going to bite off that tongue.

Grandma's in town this weekend to spend some quality time with E before Baby Boy's imminent arrival. Today we just chilled in the house and ordered in from one of our local restaurants. Lazy, lazy = awesome.

We also got the new couch! So now we don't have to use our imagination anymore and pretend the big red couch is a small gray one. It really is! And I love it. And the nursery is sooo close to being done. One more small art project, plus maybe a new mobile? Maybe not. We'll see how I'm feeling. Anyhow, there's a good chance it will get finished tomorrow and I'll be able to post pictures.

Speaking of tomorrow, I'm meeting some of my best girls for lunch in the city at Tia Pol, one of my all time favorite haunts. Leaving E behind with her dad to spend a proper girls day. Heck, I may even get a manicure. I know, I'm wild and crazy.

Best Buds

Ellie and Paulie have been besties ever since I stole Sara's due date...they're awesome.

Snow!

I know, I know...this winter has been a little intense, and most of us are sick to death of snow. But when it's up in Vermont (where it belongs) it's completely different.

We took a quick run up to my dad and Kathy's for the weekend to take advantage of their ample storage space and snowy driveway - perfect for sledding. I think Ellie enjoyed the sledding more than the storage space, but I was pretty giddy about both.


Update: It occurs to me (two days later) that it's not quite accurate of me to say I was giddy about sledding. Brian was giddy, Ellie was open to the idea, and I couldn't quite figure out how to get my 8-1/2 month pregnant body down into a sled. But you can see I made it. Just for one run, and then Brian had to pull me back up to standing. It wasn't pretty.

Two Under Two

A quick Google search for "Two under Two" turns up the following delightful phrases:

• "exhausted, panicked and outnumbered"
• "two years of hormones with no break"
• "the first five months about KILLED US!"
• "what doesn't kill you makes you stronger"
• "The first 2-1/2 years were extremely difficult, I never had enough sleep"

This one's my favorite though: "I would do it again in a heartbeat." I'm focusing on that one. Just about four weeks to go. This should be entertaining.