Skinny Pancake vs. Chunky Monkey

Ok, so only in the Green Mountain State would one ever see anything like this.  But with gas prices being what they are today, perhaps these guys are really on to something!

The "skinny pancake" became our traveling companion (what's up with that name?!?), starting at the Shoreham Service Center, just a few miles outside of Middlebury, all the way through Vermont and on to I-87 South in NY State.  We lost the motley crew when we hit a wall of traffic -- roadside traffic monitors posted "extreme delay ahead" warnings -- somewhere north of Poughkeepsie, NY and had to bail in favor of some winding country roads.  Even though our new route of 9G (not to be confused with US 9 or 9W or 9S, but 9G...someone without an imagination was on duty the day those roads were named) only permitted speeds of about 35 MPH, at least we were moving and when you've got kids asleep in car seats, movement is critical!

Speaking of skinny...  On this trip to Vermont we decided to be tourists in Noah's home state.  Hey, lots of people pay good money to vacation in Vermont, so we figured that we would hit some of the hot spots.  Of course, the hottest/coolest/most calorie-rich spot would definitely be the Ben & Jerry's Factory in Waterbury, VT.  All I can say is YUMM-O!!

We watched a funny film about the genesis of of Ben & Jerry's genius.  We got a tour of the super secret factory where they produce 250,000 pints per day (on the day of our tour they were making organic strawberry and organic vanilla).  We got to taste one of the brand new flavors -- One Cheesecake Brownie -- which was pretty darn delicious.

Our shy and retiring daughter ordered mint chocolate chip in the scoop shop after the tour concluded, immediately declared that her ice cream "beat" our ice creams, and then ran off with her new best friend of the moment, some random little girl.

Of course, as luck would have it, just as I opened up my camera bag so did the heavens, A.K.A. the daily deluge that we got used to on this vacation.  Hey, if it takes a 10 minute thunderstorm every day to keep temperatures at a glorious 73 degrees, I say bring on the rain!!

Two Thumbs Up

Ah, we're home.  We made it to Vermont and back.  Roughly 550 miles each way.  Add another 1,000 miles for each car attachment we had (the Thule carrier on the roof and the bike rack on the back).  Then add another 10,000 miles for each child.  And let's not forget dramatic rain/hail storms AND summer beach traffic.  I feel like I've driven to the moon and back...paying, on average, $4.35 per gallon of gas that it took to get there.  I think that there's a permanent "cheek" impression on the front passenger seat of Noah's car that perfectly matches my "seat."  As much fun as vacations are, it's always nice to come home.

We had a GREAT time on our New England adventure, though!  You'll get the full scoop in the days to come, but we got in lots of time with old friends and family.  We were able to explore fun destinations throughout Vermont.  Anna was a hit, but Lily in all her scrumptiousness/hilarity was an even bigger hit.  Perhaps the biggest hit of all, though, was the A&W drive-in car hop in Middlebury.  Lily tasted her first root beer float.  Two things a preschooler probably shouldn't have right before being strapped in to a car seat -- soda and ice cream.  She was practically rendered speechless (a rarity) by the creamy, frosty drink....

One More

Noah, Lily, Anna and I are currently in Middlebury, VT introducing the newest member of our family to the VT crew.

The four of us ate lunch today at a little cafe in town. While there, Lily and I were talking about her latest dream (whether she really remembers them or not, she tells some pretty wild, nonsensical stories and attributes them to her dreams) when Noah came over to our table.

Unaware of the discussion, Noah started speaking.

Incensed, Lily looked up at him and barked, "Daddy, your WIFE was talking!"

No longer Mommy or even Mom, now I'm "The Wife."

Out of the mouth of babes

Noah and Lily were having a serious conversation the other day about, of all things, soda. Lily, who was convinced that becoming a big sister would entitle her to drink Diet Coke and lattes, now quizzes us often about when this will be allowed.

Lily was relentless the other day. After being asked half a dozen times, Noah finally said she could drink Diet Coke "when you're a teenager."

"When I'm a tiny jerk?" Lily repeated, looking confused.

Ah, if only she knew how close she really was to the truth. At least in my case. No sooner had I blown out the 13th candle on my birthday cake then, poof, I had indeed turned in to a tiny jerk. Who didn't smile. Especially in important family photos. For a least a solid year.

Who knows, perhaps if we let her start drinking the coveted beverage before she becomes a teenager, maybe we'll avoid the "tiny jerk" years... One can only hope. And hope some more. But the current hands on hips and shaking of her finger at us while rolling her eyes probably is an indication that we're in for a wild ride ahead. Doesn't give me much hope, but it sure makes me laugh!

Going to the chapel...

Lily dropped a bombshell on us a few days ago.  She's getting married. Marrying Oliver to be exact.  I had to bite the insides of my cheeks to not laugh when she told me that they're going to move to California after the wedding.  And she's really going to miss us.  I mean....WHERE does she come up with this stuff???

Huh.  Come to think of it, I wonder if Oliver is the father of her five babies -- Leo, Quincy, Annie, June and Rocket (coincidentally also the names of the characters from the Little Einsteins TV show).  I guess it's about time he made an honest woman out of her.  He's even Jewish!  Nice work, Lily.

The happy couple...

If only life were as simple as it seems to appear through the eyes of a three year old.  Excuse me.  I mean three and a half year old (she's a stickler when it comes to those extra months!).

Deuce

Yesterday, 6.10.08, marked Anna's two month birthday.  And, as if she had read the "Your baby is now two months old!" email from BabyCenter.com, she started cooing (and hasn't stopped -- clearly my child).  

Weighing in at 12 pounds 15 ounces, Anna has gained an astounding 6 pounds in the last two months!  

Sadly for her, our visit to the pediatrician's office on Friday means six new vaccines for my poor baby.  And because of a scheduling snafu, Lily has to come with me.  And Noah can't.  I'm certain she'll be scarred for life and will absolutely refuse to ever go back.  Bad news considering this is her doctor's office too.  Perhaps I'll blindfold her.  And me.  It actually makes me sick to my stomach to think about my sweet little baby getting pricked that many times.  I'm not normally squeamish, but this one is killing me already.  Is 8:45 in the morning too early to start drinking?  It's 5 o'clock somewhere, right?!?

We celebrated Anna's two month "birthday" by going to Lily's dance recital at the Huck.  All for naught.  She ended up being the only child there NOT to dance...but rather sulked on her teacher Ms. Rose's lap.  Pathetic!

What was even more pathetic (although it takes one to know one) was the number of parents who FILMED this dance recital (actually, calling it a recital is a pretty big stretch...more like kids wiggling around in front of us).  Can you count the number of camcorders in this section of the audience (hint: six -- can you find them all?).  The only reason why we weren't among them was, well, because our daughter was hiding in the corner.  Dance lessons....money well spent.

Holy Crap!

Literally.

I'll spare you the photos on this one, but it was a real doozey.  I remember well from infant Lily days that breastfed babies don't, well, poop every day.  Apparently breast milk is so well digested by babies that it doesn't create a bunch of waste.  Days can go by without any messy diapers.

But then watch out.  When the digestive track catches up, it makes up for lost time.  Voila -- welcome to the blow out!

It did occur to me earlier today that I'd only changed wet diapers for at least 2 days.  I knew I had it coming.  Just didn't know when or where. 

Thankfully Anna's intestines took pity on me and did the deed while we were at home.  It was just as awful as I remember from Lily; like labor, apparently I'd blocked this out.  Why diaper companies haven't caught on and created blow-out-proof diapers is a mystery to me.  While Pampers sort of stop the leakage from around the legs, they do nothing around the waistband.  And shoot up the front and back it did.  Poor Anna was covered in liquid baby poop from her head to her toe.  Wish I were joking.  SO gross!

At least she smiled through the experience.

Me...well I wasn't exactly smiling. ;-)

And whoever said that infant poop doesn't smell hasn't met (or smelled) my Anna!

Two outfits and about three thousand wipes later, we both survived and lived to tell the tale.

Heat Wave

The temperature gauge in my car, which was sitting in the SHADE!

It is hot here. Hotter than hot. Who knew it could get this hot. Although we didn't try it (come to think, it would have been a cool activity for Lily), I'm certain we could have cooked an egg on the driveway. Between the heat outside -- which is draining me from the outside in -- and Anna's apparent growth spurt -- which is literally draining me from the inside out -- I'm just exhausted.

As tormented as I was about it, we decided at the 11th hour not to participate in this year's Race for the Cure yesterday. Fleishman had a team organized to celebrate an amazing colleague's battle with cancer. I emailed a co-worker to let him know we wouldn't be showing up. The email I got back, after the race, read "Did the race. It was Africa hot. An ordeal." In retrospect, I think we made the right decision.

Name of the game this weekend was trying to stay cool. We took lots of baths. Inflated the pool in the front yard and played with the neighborhood kiddos. We went to my mom's this morning for a swim (went from heat stroke to freezing -- YIKES! her pool is cold). We took nice naps. And I ate more of my fair share of gelato and sorbetto. ;-) I told myself that the calories didn't count because of Anna's uptick in nursing of late. And certainly calories can't count when the thermostat tops 100. Please don't burst my bubble.

Forecast for tomorrow is more of the same....

(Princess and the pea...)

PS -- for those who don't believe in global warming, wake up and walk outside!

Halftime

8 weeks ago, tomorrow, Anna was born. 8 weeks ago our family expanded from three to four. 8 weeks from tomorrow I, sigh, return to work (why does the time have to fly by so quickly?!?).

Lessons I have learned in less than two short months...

• Two kids are more than twice the work but about four times as much fun.
  

• It is possible to love both children equally. Adoring Lily as much as I do, I never thought I'd be able to love another child as much. But what I've found is that I do love Anna as much as I love Lily...and seeing Lily being so good with the baby has made me love her even more. I suppose our hearts just grow, exponentially, with each child.
  

• Call it "new math" but 2 children + 1 mother + 1 father = 2 single parents. Without even planning for it, Noah and I immediately hit the "divide and conquer" button. He now assumes 90% of the responsibility for Lily while I assume 90% of the responsibility for Anna. Noah has definitely risen to the challenge.
  

• Not all babies are the same. Silly me. I assumed that because I was having another girl she'd end up being a mini Lily. Nothing could be further from the truth. I adore my sweet little Anna, but I'll finally admit -- out loud -- that she's a fussy baby. Definitely not colic, thank goodness, but she's fussy. Lily had a temper and could go from smile and coos to blood-curdling screams in no time flat. Anna doesn't have that streak, but she's much more particular than Lily ever was. Perhaps it's because just about anything could soothe Lily -- she was a pacifier addict; switched between the breast and bottle without batting an eye; had a lovey that she, well, loved. With Anna, on the other hand, I've had to try every brand and make of pacifier on the market...to no avail. She doesn't care for bottles, although I try her on one every day knowing that, 8 weeks from today, it's the only way she's going to be able to eat (no pressure there!!). I do see some signs that, perhaps, she is just taking her time to find her own means of comfort in the form of thumb sucking. Time will tell, I guess, especially as she gains more control over her hands. Can't say that I blame her. I was a major thumb sucker and, no, I won't admit for how long. ;) Suffice it to say, we can already tell that the girls are their own little people.
  

I continue to try to live in the moment. Enjoy this time I have, alone, with Anna. Work will come all too quickly. 8 weeks to be exact. I know that once I don't have this time with her I'll miss even her fussiness. Until then, she does reward me, quite often, with smiles that make my heart explode. This just started a few days ago....but, oh how it makes us all, especially Lily, just want to eat her up! Click below to enjoy the "halftime" show.

Special Day

Some of my best childhood memories -- from summers spent splashing in their black bottom pool to my sweet sixteen garden party at their Old Town house -- involve David and Marianne Ginsburg.  

Uncle David -- my maternal grandmother's first cousin -- and Nana, as we affectionately refer to them, invited Anna and me over to their house today for lunch.  This was Anna's formal introduction to the family patriarch.  

Lily was named in honor of my grandmother (Dorothy Lewis Polan) and Anna in honor of my grandfather (Lake Polan Jr.).  Both Grandad and Memaw were extraordinarily important to me...and, quite frankly, still are.  It gave me incredible pleasure...and great pride...to introduce Anna to Uncle David and Nana.  Since Memaw and Grandad will never hold her, it was especially important that 96 year old Uncle David got to.

  

I was amazed by her response to him.  She was more alert than I've ever seen her, more peaceful than I've ever seen her, and I've never seen so many smiles erupt on that little face of hers than I did today.  It was a very special day indeed!