Our Little Turkey: October 2011

10.31.11 ~ Trick-Or-Treating in NYC

This was our first year of trick-or-treating in New York. And it was a surprisingly great experience. Obviously it works a little differently here than in the typical free standing home neighborhood. People here either trick-or-treat at shops or go from apartment to apartment within a building. We did a little bit of both. First we hit up the stores along Columbus, Amsterdam, and Broadway with Liam's friend Simon and his family. Liam and Simon very quickly got the hang of it. At each store they would shout "Trick or treat!", then "Thank you!" and then "Happy Halloween!". Between stores the little fire fighter and triceratops got plenty of attention as they raced down the side walk, hand in hand, singing a "Happy Halloween" song to anyone passing by. Then we met up with William and Isaac and their families (from Liam's class) and trick-or treated in William's building. It was a relief to finally be in the warmth. It was also nice to have William's apartment as a home base with lots of treats, drinks, and toys. And his building had 18 floors and an elevator. That's trick-or-treating in style, people. Overall, Liam had a total blast. I wonder if he'll remember this Halloween next year. Even if he doesn't, the concept of the holiday seemed to at least sink in this year. Costumes and candy and scary decorations -- Liam was down with all those things.

Trick-or-treating in the wine store.

Triceratops and Fire Fighter.

Trick-or-treating in the drug store.

Trick-or-Treating in the cupcake shop.

"Happy Halloween!"

Eating candy with Isaac and William.

Waiting for the elevator.

"Trick-or-treat!"

10.30.11 ~ Dinos, Tutus, and Snow in October

This was the perfect weekend. On Friday, Liam's classroom had a pajama party so Liam went to school dressed in his pjs. Friday was also the last day of school for him before Halloween, so over his pjs he wore his triceratops costume. He was so excited that he decided to eat breakfast in full costume.

After school we went to Annabelle's house where there was an impromptu pajama, tutu, dance party.

And then, Saturday morning, Jason, Liam, and I woke up early but stayed in bed to snuggle and play until almost 10am! I can't remember the last time we were able to do that! And once we finally got out of bed, it started snowing outside! We took a little walk in the falling sleet and snow to grab burritos for lunch.

Liam was quite excited to carry his own umbrella. Though, I think we should probably get one his size!

The rest of Saturday was spent cleaning and fixing up stuff around our apartment. It's starting to feel a bit more like home now. And it was oddly comforting to spend a day indoors puttering around with tools and cleaning products when it was too cold and wet to go out anyway.

This morning we had another lovely, lazy morning and then headed outside to enjoy the little bit of snow on the ground in the sunshine. Liam had a great time sliding around on the ice.

I'm hoping for many more perfect, fall weekends.

10.26.11 ~ Poor Second Child

I have been a real slacker about documenting this pregnancy. But, suddenly, I can no longer pretend I'm not pregnant. My belly has really grown in the last two weeks. I'm starting to get uncomfortable. I think she's sitting a lot higher than Liam did. I constantly feel pressure on on my ribs and stomach and lungs and whatever else is located up there between my belly and my boobs. I keep feeling like I'm already out of space, especially after I've eaten. I have no idea how this little girl and I are going to exist in the same skin for another 15 weeks.

Liam is really funny about the whole thing. He's always commenting on how my belly is getting bigger. And he has fully digested all of the information I've shared with him about the baby and how this all works. He knows that she's in there and that she is in a separate compartment than the food I eat. He knows that she gets her food from what I eat and that it comes directly to her tummy through a "straw" and not through her mouth like his own food. He knows she's swimming around in there in a pool of water and he knows she can hear him. He even knows that she is going to come out eventually and that he is going to help take care of her. But he has no idea how much this little baby is going to rock his little world. There is no way for him to know just how things will change for all of us. There's really no way for any of us to know that.

Jason is kind of funny about the baby too. I think he's a little weirded out that she's a girl. He had no sisters and no cousins. He grew up with mostly boys around. Thank goodness for Christy Ricker. Without her he would literally know nothing about girls. Also - and this isn't a girl thing because he was the same way when I was pregnant with Liam - he is still freaked out by feeling the baby move. He thinks it feels like a person stuck in a pool under a tarp, trying to get out. Geeez.

Anyway, this little baby has definitely already experienced a lot during her 25 weeks in there. Most of these experiences have not been very baby centered (dissertating, moving, etc). However, I will try and be better for the remaining months of this pregnancy. Try and focus on her a little more. And try and document what's going on a little better. At a minimum, hopefully, we can choose a name for her!

10.26.11 ~ More Things That Liam Says

Liam: Mommy, Mommy, Mommy, Mommy, Mommy..
Nina: Hold on...
Liam: Mommy, Mommy, Mommy, Mommy, Mommy..
Nina: Wait a sec!
Liam: Mommy! I need attention!

Nina: Liam what do you want on your bread?
Liam: I want honey and peanut butter and jam and honey.
Nina: The jam and the honey don't really go well together.
Liam: Yes, jam and honey and honey and peanut butter. That's all I have to say.

Nina: Bye, Noodle, have a great day!
Liam: Bye, Mommy, have a great day!
Nina: Have fun with your friends!
Liam: Have fun with your office!