April 15, 2012

We all scream for ice cream!

Teagan’s first ever ice cream cone. With rainbow sprinkles. She loved it.

Not sure how we made it almost three years without giving her an ice cream cone before, Maybe because we don’t eat out with the kids too often, and when we do, we don’t usually get dessert. When we have ice cream at home, it’s in a bowl.

I ordered the kid size, but was handed a full size cone. Teagan didn’t quite understand the reason to lick around the edges and why to not hold the cone at an angle. She was lucky that her ice cream didn’t fall off onto the ground, but it was a very tenacious cone.

We ended up turning it into a cup, letting her eat some of the cone. She put it all down to ride the carousel again, and Stu took the opportunity to throw the ice cream soup out. Teagan didn’t miss it.

A very good evening.

October 10, 2011

Out and About

Today I was left with both girls.  Alone. All day.  Day care was closed!  Insert your standard Home Alone Culkin scream here.

So far, Stu and I haven’t left the other alone with both girls for more than a few hours.  We usually take one of them with us if we go out.  We have survived so far by always using a divide and conquer strategy.

It ended up not being anywhere near as bad as I thought.  Much better than the time I had to take both girls to the doctor and they both cried, although only one got shots.

We took it easy in the morning.  Breakfast for the girls, clandestine apple cider munchkins for me.  Books and kisses and fetched toys, with a side of Nick Jr. until nap time.  Ashlin always laughs when Teagan pulls faces.  Heck, she will laugh when Teagan simply looks at her.  She loves when her big sister brings her toys.  Teagan, so excited, is eager to oblige simple requests to bring her sister a new toy.

Before she went up for her nap, Teagan decided Ashlin needed to have her snuggle bear. Teagan, at first, was fine about the nap, but instead of actually napping, sang songs – Itsy Bitsy ‘pider, Twinkle twinkle, Rain Rain Go Away.  I love when she sings herself to sleep, or wakes up singing!

Anyway, Teagan wasn’t convinced she needed a nap, but a bit of convincing – and a little rocking – got her down.  Down she stayed for over an hour and a half!

I needed some paint for a craft project, so had to go out to get some.  I thought it would be a good good way to spend some of the time between naps, going out and then crafting a bit.  Shopping was successful.

After a quick afternoon nap, we got ready for the craft project.  Teagan got a kick out of helping me find paper, something to put the paint in.  She loved doing it too. And loved that I included Ashlin too.

The day was very good, up until around 5:00, when Teagan started breaking down.  And I started losing my patience.  Ashlin was over tired too, so she didn’t help much, unfortunately.  I would have liked to have a better ending to the day, but when I asked her, she said she would want to do it again.

I guess, that’s what really matters.

September 12, 2011

On a Carousel

Yesterday, we had a much more pleasant toddler.  We took her to the fair.  It was fun!  She had fun!  She had her first ever carousel ride.  I put her on the horse – “the white one mama!” and she had fun sitting on it, but then something spooked her, and she wanted down.  It didn’t matter that I told her that I would be holding her the entire time. The horse was high.  This was her first time, she was a bit scared.  Down, mama.  Now, mama.

I was a bit sad that she was scared.  I want her to become a brave, strong woman.  One who’s not scared of a carousel ride.  Or of very little else.  How do you teach bravery?

Hiding my disappointment - hopefully enough! – I quickly suggested the nearby bench.  That was ok, Sort of. It wasn’t as high.  She was definitely not sure if she wanted to ride at all, even though her friend was giggling and bouncing up and down with excitement.  He’s done this before.  She hasn’t.

She had a momentary look of panic in her eyes as the ride started up.  The first few times around, she was very uneasy, unsure if she wanted to be there.  Each time around, I would point out dada, who was on the side with Ashlin, and prompt her to wave.  Eventually, she started looking for him, waving, all on her own.  Before she knew it, she was enjoying it, and having fun!

Baby you can drive my car!

After her eventual success on the carousel, she was a bit braver.  She wanted to go on everything!  Even the rides that were way too big and fast for her.  Her friend, G, wanted to go on this car ride, so she wanted to go too.  He may have been the source of some of her bravery.  That’s ok.  Maybe that’s how you learn how to be brave, you watch your friends.

We let them into the ride.  She wanted the “red one, dada.”  Help get her in, hooked the belt.  Told her to stay sitting until we came back for her.  And off she went.  All by herself.  My big girl.  I was so proud of her for being so big and brave, and then sad she was growing up.  So fast.  She cried when the ride was over, she was having so much fun.

Driving Miss T

She ended up going into the bouncy castle and then on a Caterpillar - Look! Buggy! – ride.  She did not enjoy the caterpillar one as much as the cars.  It was a bit more jerky and a bit faster too.

She wanted to do the car ride again, before her friend had to leave.  Since she had so much fun the first time, how could we say no?  Some kid had taken the red car, so they shared a blue jeep.  G drive.  She loved it.  She waved.

We have to try a carousel again.  Soon.  Maybe this time, she’ll be brave.  All on her own.

June 30, 2011

Monkey see, monkey do.  Look who learned a new trick.

Stu started this with Teagan last night.  Today, when he dropped her off at day care, she showed the teachers her new trick.

I’m not sure if I’m proud or not.

It is kinda funny.

Maybe.

But it does show that we need to start being careful of what we say and do.  She’s such a sponge.

February 2, 2011

So, last night, (or early this morning,) was a lovely moment of motherhood fail.  Teagan woke up around 4:40am crying.  Usually all she needs is to have her blanket put back on and a new security pacifier (to go with the three she already has, but can’t find).  So, I go settle her, give her a quick rub on the back, tell her I love her and to go back to sleep.  Then head back to bed.  With a quick stop in the bathroom. 

Ah…  Bed.  Empty bladder.  No heartburn.  Sleep.  Heaven.

Just before 5:00am, she starts crying again.  As I had been in there a few minutes earlier, I was just going to let her go.  Stu will often sleep through.  Not this morning.  He did hear her, got up and headed to her room.  I called out as he left our room that I had been in to her about 15 minutes earlier, and that she was just fine, probably lost the bubble (pacifier) I gave her and needed another one.  

Stu gets there and yells for help.  I jump out of bed, totally freaked, head towards her room.  She had been fine just a few minutes earlier.  I swear!  He had given her an extra check, as she was saying over and over “wet.”  At first he wasn’t sure if her diaper had leaked, but it turns out she had thrown up in her bed.  Great.  How did I miss that??  How horrible to I feel now?  <sigh>

He dealt with the piglet and I took care of the crib – took the top sheet and protector off her crib.  (Yes, we double sheet/protector the mattress.  It totally came in handy).

She asked for a book, but Stu put her to bed again.  I ended up not being able to fall back to sleep.  She coughed a few times in her sleep.  My ears twitched every time, but she never called out, never cried again.

She ended up sleeping until 9:25am.  Woke up starving.  After a breakfast of toast and a clementine, we bundled her up for day care.  Stu and the piglet headed out, but came back in about 20 minutes later.  Ice.  The car got stuck in the snow bank at the bottom of the driveway.  But that’s another story.

June 14, 2010

TeaganWalks

Lookie here!!! She’s walking!

Granted, she looks like a mummy from an Ed Wood  film, or a zombie from Thriller but she’s happy and giggling and walking!!

November 19, 2009

She’s six months old today.  I can’t believe that it’s been that long already.  It seems like just last week she was born.  That just the other day we finally got nursing down pat.  Just yesterday that maybe I deciphered some of her personality and patterns.  That I sort of understand her.  That I feel like her mom.

It has been a fun (for the most part) six months.  First smiles, laughs, and trips to the aquarium.  First blowouts, ear aches, and crying jags.  First hugs and snuggles.  A smile when picking her up from day care, that takes the ache away of leaving her there in the first place. 

I thought I knew what this journey would be, but I was wrong.  It is so much more.  She is so much more.  I am so glad she’s here.

Happy Half Birthday, baby girl.

November 17, 2009

Yay!  We survived both the flight and the weekend!  It was actually a very good time.  Teagan handled the flight down very well.  So much so that we got compliments on how good a baby she was. 

The majority of the trip was taken up with family – obligations, lunches, dinners.  We did get a little time to go to the beach, the hotel pool and a fortress.  Teagan had a pretty good time in the ocean, shaking off getting sea water in her face until Stu and I passed her right as a wave hit her.  (My mom has all those pictures!)  We then went into the pool, because mom wanted to get a picture of her similar to one she had taken of me when I was in PR at 7 months – sitting alone on the pool steps.   

We got a few good ones!  Teagan really enjoys the pool.  We got to go in the pool the next day – the ocean was too rough – and she put her face in the water several times…  would kick and splash.  So much fun to see her learn about the water!

Memorial service for Abuelita was nice, but all in spanish.  Lunch afterward was sort of fun.  Sitting with family that I don’t know well, that Stu doesn’t know at all, hoping they remember to speak english for him.  For us.  My spanish is too rusty :(  Everyone was totally taken with Teagan, la muñeca.  Turns out that “cousins” have a beach house that they might let us borrow.    Yay!

We ended up on Monday being able to get to the Fortress of San Felipe del Morro.  Turns out that my great-grandfather helped build the lighthouse.  Cool.

The way back wasn’t as successful as the way down, and a little bit melancholy.  I always feel sad leaving Puerto Rico.  I do so enjoy being there, even with the humidity.  Teagan wasn’t quite as good the way back, but we deserved it.  We really abused her schedule during the trip.  She didn’t get fed as regularly – don’t worry, we did feed her.  She didn’t get to sleep as often and as long as normal – she napped between events, in the car, during lulls, while sightseeing… 

She cried several times by the end of the trip and also on the plane.  We didn’t get the same compliments as we got off back in Connecticut as we did on the way down, although when she was happy she made friends all around her – the lady behind us, the one across the asile from us, and the steward.  I was totallly blown away that she slept during the landing – didn’t need the bottle of milk that I saved for her for the return.  She only woke up as we put her into the cold stroller.  Almost midnight.  Poor baby.

I hope her routine – and she – recovers quickly.

October 11, 2009

Yesterday we took Teagan to Mystic Aquarium.  It was a total blast!  It was family day (the first ever! and we got tickets).  They did ”behind the scenes” tours, and showed us how they filter the HUGE tank, where they keep the newly arrived rescues, where they operate (if necessary) on the rescues and sick animals.  Very cool!  They also brought out a few penguins for close up viewing.  (Mechugna: THANK YOU!).  We had a blast, Teagan had a blast – and a few blowouts :)

The Piglet could see the larger fish and animals.  Fantastic!  She totally tracked penguins, as well as rays and sharks from the inside exhibits.  Her eyes would get bigger and she would turn her head and follow them as far as she could.  She’d smile and look at me with those big bright eyes.  Then giggle, and do it all over again.  It was amazing to watch her discover new parts of the world around her.

I think I see something!

Oh!  Here it comes!

Oh!  LOOK!

 

What’s that?  It’s a penguin! 

 

 I can see us going to the aquarium many times in the future!

October 9, 2009

Such a big girl!

Teagan is becoming such a big girl! Here she is on her first trip to the grocery store, sitting in the shopping cart.  I didn’t bring the diaper bag, as we were just going for milk (yay milk!), so this was taken with the phone’s camera.   I probably should have turned the cart around and pushed the hat down on her head a bit :)

She loves sitting up (propped), standing (with help), and is such a talker.  She’s examining every little bit of her world too.  It’s so much fun to watch her stare at her hand, extending a finger, turning it over… moving to a foot or a toy and doing it all again.