(Burger) King

On the road again…going places that I’ve never been…For a child, you sure are getting to cross off a lot of destinations of the “must see” list. Course, you’ll have to visit them all again later.

This being an even year, it meant Thanksgiving with your mom’s extended family. With the Bald One’s work schedule, we were traveling up on Thanksgiving morning to arrive in time for prepping for dinner. We arrived at the Furlan (Maryland) compound early afternoon with you being rather well rested but a very sleepy daddy. He went off to nap before dinner while you ran around to play with your little cousins. As with many things, there was the regular level of insanity when facing the Furlans followed by feasting and more feasting. You loved your grandmother’s pie. You loved it so much that when your grandpa had it for brunch the next day you helped him eat it. I don’t think he minded though…

Grandma loved seeing you too, because after we returned home and she returned to Cleveland, we all boarded planes to meet up again in Nashville. We stayed at the Gaylord Opry where you and Grandma explored the various islands of greenery, saw Shrek dance for Christmas and saw more Christmas trees in one place that thought humanly possible.  While in Nashville, we did get to see a Christmas classic: the Radio City Rockettes. The dancing and music made you very happy and bouncy, so you survived your first theater/music show without a bit of trouble. 

climbing up and down the slide in the airport play zone

Getting out of Nashville was a trick though. We went to the airport with Grandma and saw her off only to find out that our flight was delayed. And then delayed further. Lucky for us, Nashville’s airport has a fabulous play area for kids just your size. You burned off every ounce of energy you may have had by having to sit through security and through lunch and went straight past what was your normal nap time. By the time we were ready to board our plane, you were zonked completely out in your stroller. The rest of the trip was completely uneventful.

That very weekend (shortly before you hit your 20th month birthday), we went to our family Christmas kick-off: the TransSiberian Orchestra concert. You were a bit fussy through the story filled first act, but as things kicked up and went crazy for the second act, you were happy as heck to dance on my lap. We met up with the L’s and hit Red Robin for dinner afterwards. That was your first experience of Red Robin – which was interesting to see, as you got further stimulated by the bright colors, the lights and the fun of playing with Miss J.

Time to get ready for Christmas!

deli plate!

And welcome to fall…where it gets comfortable once again to play outside and see the world around you.

Your Alley grandparents found a tricycle for you…unfortunately you’re not quite tall enough to start playing with it. But we’ve got it squirrelled away until you either can reach the pedals or we can add blocks to it so you can play with it.

We got the tricycle when we went to visit them for the neighborhood pig picking. You’re usually a big fan of pulled pork and all the goodies that go along with it, but you were too distracted to care about any food. The neighborhood get together involved a bakers dozen of kids ranging in age from a little younger than you to early elementary kids. There was running, screaming, waving of light-up wands and just too much fun to think about eating or sleeping or sitting still. Luckily, with that many adults around between the three yards you and your cohorts were able to run free without anyone hovering and plenty of hands to pick you up when you fell.

Your personality is coming through more and more each day. In capturing you in your cute PJs one night, I noticed a familiar look. You inherited your grandfather’s smirk. I sent the snapshot to him the very next day and got back “I do not smirk” — right.

Wagon Ride

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We did not host the Halloween bash for our friends this year. That honor went to Miss Bina and Janet and their fabulous new house in historic Durham. We planned on crashing out there so we wouldn’t have to worry about leaving to get you home to bed or driving with the crazy people that would be on the road. What ended up happening is you had a blast running around through the house and finding all the secret passages and adults who thought you were awesome. You made friends with Nate, even if you needed to steal the Buzz Lightyear away from him. Eventually, I gave up trying to keep up with you and that’s when you realized it was very late (2am!) and wanted to cuddle. The sun woke us early, which made for serious napping the next day, but you had a blast.

Halloween also brought the grand opening of the greenway across from our little neighborhood. The greenway leads through the woods to White Oak park and the awesome natural playground. There was a super huge slide that you loved going down, the teeter totter you wanted to try out and the wooden bridge sized just for you. The fun part for you was getting to ride the two mile trail in your wagon. It took us a while, but that was a great birthday present and we look forward to getting to abuse it more and more as we explore the trail and the nearby lake.

Rockin' horse at Miss Andrea's

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Road Trip!!

The first road trip of the month was unfortunately for sad reasons. We took a quick trip to Virginia to meet and mourn with some of Daddy’s family. You were added a bit of levity to the proceedings afterwards, which was welcomed and you travelled like a champ. The highlight for you though was being let loose in your Great Aunt’s toy shop. You made out like a bandit with new books, a puzzle and your very first baby-doll. You also got to hug an Elmo larger than yourself, which was ridiculously adorable.

A week and a bit later, you got on a plane for the second time in your life. This one was a bit crazier than last time, since you were meeting your grandmother at the layover and we were traveling so I could go to long days of meetings in sunny Florida. Grandma Z brought you new toys – your first set of DUPLO blocks – and some Elmo DVDs to help while away the hours while I attended meetings. The two of you planned some interesting trips around the resort and off to exciting places like Disney World’s Animal Kingdom. You and your grandma had a great time as you two taught each other new tricks and shared adventures.

After I finished my meetings, we three bundled into a car and drove two hours north to see the Florida Furlan contingent. My cousin (Mish!) and your cousin (SMIB) met up with us and we had fun playing around before dinner and crashing at a nearby hotel. The next day, SMIB took us to some of her favorite parks and shops before we had to boogie to the airport. You had fun with Grandma in the airport before we parted ways, at which point you watched us take of and then cuddled in for sleeping the rest of the way home after a fun week.

The rest of the month was spent having a bit of fun, getting comfortable playing at your park (slide!) and then wrapping it up with one-on-one Daddy time while I went to D-Town for work and fun.

Welcome to the slow, summer months of life baby girl.

We spent your seventeenth month with one relatively big change: Daddy went back to work. While this was exciting for Daddy,  it meant we suddenly had to figure out a new way to live in our happy little house. The Bald One started working overnights with a local grocery store, meaning that we’ve got an interesting twist in our schedule. You’re staying up late (for a little one), but you also get to sleep in much later than other kids your age. It’s like you have the same sleep, just skewed. So far, it’s working.

Other fun things this month you got your first taste of theater. You helped me babysit the lobby at Deep Dish. They were getting ready to open the season and Miss StubbornDev was traveling, so she asked me to fill in as box office/lobby babysitter during the rehearsal so potential patrons wouldn’t wander into the tech rehearsal. We had a load of fun as we mainly hung out, ate animal crackers and discovered that the window was an awesome way to play peek-a-boo with people as they passed by. You had several folks interested in just what you were up to and a few folks that came back to play with you.

playing in our drawer while getting used to shoes

Another piece of excitement? your first pair of shoes. Getting ready for our big trip next month we took you out to Stride Rite and got you fitted for your first (two!) pair of shoes. The white and pink were just adorably girly enough, but the awesome part was trying to pick out a second pair only to have you quip “Elmo!” so the bright red Sesame Street character came home with us in foot form.

 Or, where randomly parents disappear for a few days.

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Originally uploaded by Rae Z

Technically, I travelled last month, but it feels better to lump it this way. For work, I was able to travel to Colorado to check out how things work out there. It was a two night trip, there and back again before you know it. The Bald One survived by taking our daughter out bar-hopping one night after not much good sleep the night before.

You think I’m kidding? you’d be wrong. Evidence exists right here for your viewing pleasure. Yep. My daughter, sporting an AB/CD logo looking like a little metal chick dancing on the bar at The Pour House. I think the bar lost street cred, my husband probably got two chicks declaring him the Best.Dad.Evah and Gummi Bear was worn out enough to sleep through the night.

I, on the other hand, got to learn about corn, soy and some new products before drinking some fantastic beer.

From EA Year Two (April 2011-2012)

For his part, The Bald One went back to Wilmington for another show and some boy’s night out (sans kiddo). She and I then went for crafty-girly time to support a good cause. Zia’manda joined us while we made bracelets and beer coozies out of vinyl before going to Raleigh Times for a beer, some pork nachos and splitting a sandwich. She was declared the most well-behaved baby ever seen as she didn’t fuss or whine while we played with vinyl and then helped us eat our delicious food.

In between all this, there was a photo shoot (sh! it’s a surprise!), more pool time, two power outtages, canine teeth coming in and our first movie experience.

The movie? we got her to a drive-in. So if she was fussy, we’d put up the windows and turn on the A/C. She fell asleep during the second of the double feature, but enjoyed her time while we got to see a first-run movie.

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Originally uploaded by Rae Z

Or, when we spent a lot of time in cars.

Well, maybe not all month, but it did feel that way with two weekends in a row. Let’s tal about the first half of the month, first.

<crickets>

Yup. It was quiet. You ever hear that phrase “the calm before the storm”? That’s what this felt like. The exciting stuff was that the week at work was quiet, the Gummi Bear enjoyed herself mastering her walking abilities and scaring us a little bit with her stair climbing ways. But nothing major happened. Then, we had mini-vacations all over the place.

First was Father’s Day weekend – we spent it visiting the fabulous in-laws so that the Bald One could take in a show Friday night in their hometown. We had fun seeing parts of Wilmington we hadn’t visited in a while (the Cotton Exchange) and seeing the neighbors while getting out for a bit. It was nice.

The next weekend was a bit of a bigger deal. That one started with a trip to Columbus, Ohio to overnight with the bestest friend, her hubby of less than two months and then drive further north to my hometown. There was a massive party to be had, and the party was good. There were cupcakes involved, lots of people seen and Gummi Bear was suitably paraded around with her first grandchild status evident. A good shindig, overall, once you allow for the standard family affairs. The drive home was made interesting due to the epic error of bran muffins. Next time, not a travel day food.

Then it was time for Festival for the Eno. A hot, as always, affair. Gummi Bear & the Bald One joined me for most of the first day and all of the second before caving to A/C for the third. The adorable moment for us came while walking near the Grove Stage, at the little stand that sells the sand-filled animals. They have a fantastic display of dragons. I point these out to the Gummi Bear and ask what it is. The response is “raaaaa!” complete with little hand making a claw motion as she rakes the air. She totally has one now.

EY2-wk9 floatin’
Originally uploaded by Rae Z

…or the month where we discover water can be AWESOME! (While somehow failing to get a trip to the zoo before the heat kicks in.)

With another set of friends, we decide that we should do a zoo trip. Now, mind you, a zoo trip is a full day affair for us in Central NC. The zoo is in the middle of nowhere – which makes for an awesome zoo but a heckish 2hr drive. And you should picnic. And if your kid decides she no longer wants to be in a harness but isn’t quite willing to stay in a stroller for longer than 20 minutes, well…you should be ready for a workout. So as we finally have a downtime weekend and aren’t quite ready to go running around… you decide maybe not this weekend. Then, it’s too bloody hot as summer kicks in way too early this year.

However, because of the heat, pool season is ON. Previous summer, the Bald One and I tag-teamed sitting in the shade / AC as the other played in the pool. This year, having received swimsuits in her hand-me-downs and finding out that her diapers (minus the lining) make great swim diapers, we toss her into the pool. She was a little clingy, at first, but as she got comfortable she was willing to be passed back and forth and sorta float around. Not bad for a first outting. By the end of the summer, I bet we’ll have her happily splashing about.

The momentus news of the month though came at the very end of May: we have a walker. After days of calisthetics-like up and down squatting (and immediately after getting home from visiting Zia’manda & TAB), the Gummi Bear took her first steps in the kitchen while giggling at us. And then, two days later, she started climbing stairs. No rest for the wicked.

First, I need to celebrate: I survived breast-feeding. With celebrating Gummi Bear’s first birthday, we officially passed the mark where she can have cow’s milk and no longer needs to have formula or breastmilk as her main source of food. While this may not be exciting for most people, this means I get to wear dresses again, no longer pack a totebag to work in addition to lunch/computer/purse and get to wear whatever I want without having to factor in the ability to get half-undressed for someone’s needs. Granted, she hasn’t been as demanding in the past months as she had been even four months ago – but still, thrilling.

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Originally uploaded by Rae Z

The beautiful thing about this is that the little Gummi Bear is eating real food. None of this baby mush for her, nosireebob. We tried rice cereal, only to have it snubbed immediately. We tried oatmeal, which worked for a few days before she realized I wasn’t eating it and refused to eat it until I did. Since I can’t stand oatmeal (it’s a consistency thing!), the Bald One stepped up to the plate. That worked for another few days before she flat out refused it any further. But pasta? gimmie. Cheerios? devoured. Muffins on Sunday morning breakfast? well, just look over there at that blueberry covered face.

The big thing done this month was our first major road trip. I say “major” because it was double-digit hour drive time. Sure we went to Maryland for Christmas, but she pretty much slept through that entire road trip. Amazingly enough, she slept most of the way to Ohio as well. This of course made things suck in the hotel, but…overall awesome sauce trip. The dearest bestest friend got married to a man she loves, we all wore pretty dresses, made our own flowers and generally had a wonderful time.

Overall, a fun way to start the second year.

EY2_wk1 Originally uploaded by Rae Z

So yeah, I’m post-dating this due to the whole having a kid sucks all your free time.

Shortly before (about a month) Gummi Bear’s first birthday, I got a promotion at the day job (woot woot). This meant more responsibility and more work…and until late March I was still doing my former job as well. Things were entertaining for a bit as I juggled things. (At this point, in June, we’re almost sorted out. Almost.)

For Gummi Bear’s birthday, we did two separate parties. The first shindig was celebrating with friends and another little girl who had a birthday in early April. We had about a dozen adults and about a half dozen kids running around in our house and backyard. There was even a moment of toddler tree removal as a a few boys teamed together to kill off a mostly dead tree. There was grilled mammal flesh, chips and dip and a cupcake tree of home-made chocolate frosting goodness. Lots of folks seemed to have fun and we saw people we hadn’t in a while with much fun and hilarity. The other party was a more subdued fun with the grandparents from both sides coming in to town. The paternal grandparents came early and had some fun baby time before having the “official” party of presents and cake and leaving. The maternal grandparents came shortly before the cake and presents and then we had dinner out in the monsoon that was the early spring rains.

Little one, in somewhat amazement to all, did not want to smash the cake. After being wrangled into a bib with sleeves and being placed in her high chair in front of the oh-so-tempting cake, she stabbed her little finger in oh so gently and then would lick the finger. It took about three pokes before she raked the finger down the side. The cake itself was well received, and Gummi Bear did make a slight mess…as should be done at ones first birthday.

Now that the travel is over, the presents are away and we’re prepping for the next big thing (NYE!), I can look at Christmas and the holiday with a tiny bit of sanity.

When the Bald One and I were traveling last year, we swore we weren’t doing this anymore. A car accident, snow and no time really at home meaning no decorations in our house were just frazzling instead of celebratory.  We told everyone “no mas!” and figured with Gummi Bear, we’d be hosting in 2010. What happened instead is the airlines conspiring against us to send the SIL through Wilmington easier than through the major airport in our hometown and an aunt-matriarch (and second time grandmother) requesting the presence of all.

Before Christmas, before Yule even, we had our friends over with tree, mulled wine and ham. Fun was had, people were social and life was good. Then I had vacation time to burn and we had time to go spend with the in-laws only two hours away. Gummi Bear got to spend some serious quality time with her aunt, presents were opened and we were still home in time for her bedtime on Christmas Eve. Christmas day had presents and coffee and wrapping paper and bows in our own home. Due to my allergies (sigh), the tree came down that day but we were still having a good time in our own home.

Then, it snowed. So our initial plan of driving up to Maryland the day after Christmas to the family compound was a bit foiled. Monday passed as well with questions and finally, after much debate and tears, we headed up on Tuesday. There was a lot of hair-pulling involved in this decision – mainly because anything with my family can either be fantastic…or fantastically stressful. This time around all the stress was related to the getting to and from the gathering. We all had a good time and the cousins had a good time putting our kids together for the first time.

While I wouldn’t change it, it was too crazy. The Bald One and I decided we’re not doing this again. Like many families, we’re going to do an “every other year” thing for Christmas, since it’s been working so well with Thanksgiving. We’ll come to you, and on the off year you’re welcome here. It’ll be interesting to see how well that works, but at least we know what we’re doing from now on.