Introducing Baby Harry

This weekend we made it down to Philly to meet my new baby brother, Harry. He was born two weeks ago, just a few hours past my birthday actually so he is still pretty new and tiny. We choose this weekend partly because a good friend of Grandpa Chris and Nonna Jen who happens to live less than two blocks away from them was going to be out of town and very kindly offered her house as a place to stay for us. Not one to pass up a private guest house, we took her up on her offer. It worked out well because we were able to visit and see everyone a lot, but having our own space to retreat to for bedtime and naps allowed us not to be in the way as much. We sill managed to cover the dining room table with legos and the living room with books, but I like to think it could have been much worse.

Before we get to baby pictures I have to share this photo. We tried a new sleeping arrangement this weekend with the kids and it worked great. Both kids slept together on the air mattress. Normally eric and I split up, he sleeps with Otto and I sleep with Mette. This time the kids shared the air mattress and eric and I got to sleep on a bed in the spare room. It was awesome. The kids really loved it and were super excited at the idea. Even better, they both slept through the night each night. I was worried they would wake each other up, but they didn't. It was really kind of like camping out. I climbed in bed with them and read stories and stayed until they were asleep and then snuck out while they slumbered. Knowing that they can share a bed while traveling is awesome!

I brought them each their pillow and comforter from home. Otto with STAR WARS, and Mette with Hello Kitty.

So, here is the one you really want to see. Somehow eric managed to have clean hands faster than anyone when we got there and got first shot at holding him. He talks a big game about being glad we are over the baby phase, but he sure likes snuggling the little ones!!

In an attempt to not have the kids destroy all of Baby Harry's things and house we took them on a trip to the Lego Store and the Hello Kitty store on Saturday morning. Mette scored an amazing pair of sunglasses which she loves to wear.

When we got back Jen's parents were visiting. Mette got to play some great games with Jen's mom. They were all sung in Italian and Mette loved them.

I got a chance to snuggle the burrito baby while Jen napped a bit in the afternoon.

Mette was very interested in all the stuff he had. Every time she saw Harry she would say "Hi Cutie". Otto was totally not interested in Mette when she was born but Mette is very interested in Harry. She is the same age now that Otto was when she was born. That is a scary thought!!

He may not have been into babies two years ago, but he is now. Otto was clamoring to hold Harry the whole time. He got a few chances. He does very well. He sits really still and is very calm. He really seems to like him.

Big Sister...

There are a lot more pictures on other people's cameras which once I get I will post as well. I have more to say about the weekend but I am running out of steam. It was an action packed weekend and I am whooped. This morning alone we went to Whole Foods, Men's Warehouse and IKEA.

more to follow soon....

Questions for cousin John

Just before eric and I headed down south for our little get away a special package came in the mail for the kids. As you know, STAR WARS rules the waves here these days. Mette has taken to calling herself Luke at all times. When the cashier at the grocery store who thinks she is cute asks her what her name is, the reply is "my name is Luke". It gets some strange looks but I don't bother explaining. She is often dressed head to toe in pink by her own choosing, so either they think she is a cross dresser, or they think she is coming up with strange names for herself. Either way, they can work on that. I have other things to do.

They still have not seen any of the movies. They get all of their knowledge, and let me tell you, it is a LOT, from books and asking eric and I a million plot questions daily. Otto knows every character, what they do etc... it is amazing. What I most like though is the way even though he is so interested in the plot, how his role playing of the stories follows his own narrative paths. Luke and Darth Maul have lunch together etc... He knows they can't exist at the same time, he will even tell you who is from the prequels, but that doesn't stop his imagination.

This past weekend we did have a bit of a break through. Eric cut a scene together where you see Anakin in the pod race. Otto and Mette have both watched it and LOVE it!! I keep telling Otto we should get daddy to make a scene with the Ewoks since I think he would really like that too. Despite the fact that he is all boy in the sense the every stick, lego, spoon etc.. is a "blaster" aka gun, he doesn't actually want to see any fighting. Something I am very thankful for.

So back to the package. My cousin John recently moved to a new house and in getting ready for the move found a bunch of his old STAR WARS toys. Like Uncle Racer, he thought they might be well loved in the hands of Otto and Mette and kindly send them our way. My Aunt MaryAnn said we could give them all at once, or in pieces. I thought about spreading out the joy, but then the big box arrived and it looked like too much fun to pass up.

So, I let them open it themselves.

It was so much fun to watch then unwrap each well cared for and loved toy.

John, here is where I have a few questions for you. There is no doubt in my mind that you loved these toys very much. So much you may have even jumped for joy when you saw them the first time.
Perhaps you even hugged the battle droid and told it how much you loved it. Which by the way is what Otto did when he saw it.
But did you immediately feel that the light sabers were the right size to battle with Jenny (John's younger sister) with? Otto did. He was kind enough to arm her first.
They also make great drumsticks, fyi.
But I am really wondering, did it ever cross your mind to ride the Tauntaun? Because Otto saddled that bad boy up immediately upon seeing it.
Then, of course, Mette had to have a turn.
So, needless to day, the gift has been a huge hit. A welcome addition to our already full family. It seems the Tauntaun in partial to jelly toast with his tea, in case you were wondering.

Nawlins'

Well, we did it. We finally got away, just eric and i for a little vacay. We survived, grandma and grandpa are still talking to us and the kids had a great time. I was not worried at all that the kids would have a good time, that was a no brainer, I was more worried that the craziness of two small, "high energy" as my mom so lovingly called them today, children would be more than any sane grandparents would want to deal with. Turns out they all had a great time. Not too surprisingly, as soon as we were gone Mette turned her allegiance to the new givers of snuggles and cookies and didn't look back. Otto was a bit more affected by us going away and had bursts of crying and sadness over us not being there. He did however recover each time and now when he talks about the weekend it was all fun and games.

One thing that is really nice about having my mom stay with the kids, the house was cleaner when we came home than it was when we left. They even cleaned out the espresso tamper box! I am still finding evidence of their stay in places which is a lot of fun. Today Otto stumbled upon a perfectly drawn STIG in a coloring book. He gave the drawing credit to eric, but, honey, I love you, but there is NO WAY you drew that STIG. My bet is with grandma. Luckily grandpa was kind enough to email the rules to the game "potato ball" because there is no way I was going to figure that out without some help!

We are settling back into our normal routine here. Eric is off to NY for a few days to drool over new cameras and lenses and I am up to my usual "move all the furniture before he gets back" routine. I am also catching up on about a million loads of laundry. Tomorrow it is supposed to be warm and sunny so I am really hoping to get the kids to the park to air them out. Otto is a bit sad eric had to leave again so I am trying to think of good ways to keep him distracted.

So, now, what you really are here for, pictures of the trip.

No, wait, there is more...

First I should say the whole trip was really great. I could have just stayed in Harrisburg and read and taken naps for two days and been happy but spending it in sunny New Orleans with wonderful food and eric all to myself was quite a luxury.

We arrived in New Orleans on Saturday night and after checking into the Ritz Carlton (thank you SCMS for holding your conference there!!!) we headed out to what eric has long told me is the best burger joint EVER.

The walk there took us through the French Quarter at night. Why have I never heard more about the amazing light from all the gas lanterns? There is something magical about the light as it reflects off the bottom of the porch where the lantern is hanging and the side of the building it is illuminating. It creates this tunnel of flickering light that is truly magical. It also sets the stage for believing in voodoo.

There was a two hour wait for a table but bar seats were first come first serve. We decided to split a house specialty Monsoon and lurk for a bar seat. The Monsoon is basically a kick ass hurricane and delicious. The lurking paid off and we scored two seats at the bar. I should add that the mere fact that we were able to say yes to a two hour wait for a table was proof of vacation to me. With the kids, that never would have been possible. I wouldn't have cared if it took until 11 for us to get a table, I was happy. That could have also had something to do with the enormous drink....

The wait was worth it. They do not mess around with their burgers there and they really are as good as eric says they are. Port of Call was just what you want in a burger joint. Loud, with GOOD music, not really as clean as you might want when you look hard, staffed by fun and quirky people and frequented by local regulars. There is a special place in my heart for a good dive bar.

Sunday morning eric had a breakfast meeting with his editors followed by his presentation. Being the wonderful husband that he is, he went downstairs and brought me a cafe au lait, a croissant and the New York Times to keep me company while he was gone. He also invited my to breakfast and the talk, but I passed on those!!

(btw, I know I could have thought this through but that many academics in a hotel with nothing to do but talk and drink is totally scary! It makes for some interesting elevator rides!!!)

After lounging for a while I went off exploring while eric delivered his presentation. Not having a stroller to push or schedule to keep was very lovely. The sun was shining that warm low southern light and I got some great shots while waiting to meet eric at Court of Two Sisters for an AMAZING brunch.

This is so beautiful and so New Orleans that after being there for half a day you almost forget how NOT PA this house is. I had to remind myself to take a picture of something like this.

The porches, the iron work, the floor to ceiling windows (with original glass) and shutters wowed me at every turn.
Nestled right next to the grandest houses were barred up and peeling homes. A juxtaposition that seems so much the story of this city. Quiet homes with walls lined with books shelves half a block off one of the loudest party streets I have ever seen. How do they make that work??

I can assure you that every member of this band is cooler than you are. Trust me.
I love this sign. I can't really even say why but there is something wonderful about it.
This street seemed familiar and I had to turn down to see more. Only after walking half a block back did I realize that it was one of the streets I "walked" down on google maps to get a sense of where we would be. Funny to then see it in person...
There are those amazing gas lanterns again.
Sunday was a day of good food. Court of Two Sisters for brunch, an impromptu gin and tonic in the afternoon at a delightful gay bar, drinks with a friend of eric's from grad school on the gorgeous patio court yard of the Ritz Carlton topped off by dinner at Arnaud's. I like a restaurant that requires the men to wear jackets. It means that I get to wear a really fancy dress and fit in! Dinner was lovely and eric and I gabbed the whole time about how wonderful our lives are. As an outsider you may have been a little ill.

Nothing a little garlic butter and pastry topped escargot can't fix!
Before heading to the airport on Monday we had breakfast at a little place I found on Sunday morning while exploring. It seemed like just the place for a coffee before catching a cab.
They did not disappoint.
YUM!
After breakfast we headed home to our little smiling faces. I even napped on the plane and finished a book. A great vacation through and through.

Getting Ready

Tomorrow is the big day. Eric and I are heading out of town for a long weekend without the kids. They will be staying here with grandparents while we head south to warmer weather and bathrooms with doors that close and aren't immediately opened by children. I am pretty sure I am the only one excited about the bathroom, but I am REALLY excited about that. I am writing important things on post it notes and sticking them everywhere. I have lists of numbers, friends and social security.... I am trying to think of everything that could happen and prepare for it. I am driving myself a bit crazy. There just isn't that much to do anymore and as a result I am spinning in circles. Eric suggested I have a gimlet and try to chill.

All that is left is to pack my stuff. I can tell the whole situation is a bit overwhelming because this is the first time in forever that I can pick out and use a purse that does not need to be big enough to carry snacks, drinks, a potty seat, change of pants and undies for Mette, a pull-up for Mette, epi-pen and benadryl and goodness what else I take everywhere I go, and I haven't even started going through my options. For the flight tomorrow I need something small enough to feel cool and big enough to hold the iPad which I am bringing to read on the plane. Hold on, I want to say that again, to READ on the plane. I have been SO JEALOUS of every other person I see reading on flights for the past few years, this is honestly one part of the trip I am most excited about. I get to sit on a plane for a few hours and read what ever the hell I want. No kids books, no kids games, no singing songs to keep them happy, just me and my book. Hell, I could even sleep if I wanted to. That just seems to crazy to even think about.

Eric has every meal planned for the whole time we are going to be there and I am very excited. Someone else will make my bed and I don't have to do dishes for three days.

Ok, I might be getting excited now.

I have some great pictures from this week that I will post when we get back. Including some awesome shots of extreme joy when a package arrived from Aunt MaryAnn and Cousin John.

Some advice

As I mentioned in my last post, Monday was my birthday. Not just any birthday, but my 30th birthday. Now that I am older and wiser I would like to offer a few suggestions for how NOT to celebrate a major life milestone, like turning 30.

1. on the afternoon of your birthday, do not opt to spend it with a lawyer going over you will. Especially if you wish to have a living will, the questions get pretty morbid and are not at all uplifting. Trust me, I know from experience.

2. On the first morning after turning 30 try REALLY hard not to do anything to totally throw out your back. Not only is it really painful, it also makes you feel like total crap. It doesn't help when your husband makes lots of jokes about how you are falling apart now that you are getting old.

3. Arrange to have someone come in and cook you dinner and make something with large amounts of sugar that you can put candles in. This should not be made by the birthday person and should be presented on the actual birthday. This is a bit tricky as it requires work from people other than yourself, but perhaps you can drop hints. Like writing a blog post about it... hint, hint, hint.

A large part of the reason there was no mention of my birthday on the actual day is because eric and I are going to New Orleans this weekend to celebrate. It will be my first time away from the kids for more than a few hours unless you count the overnight stay I had at the hospital when Mette was born. Which I don't. Eric is delivering a talk at a conf. in New Orleans on Sunday and I am tagging along for the ride and a free stay at the Ritz. Grandmom and Grandpa are coming down to spoil the kids rotten. In theory this all sounds wonderful but I will admit to being a bit stressed about it. I am trying not to cover the ENTIRE house in post-its and chill out.

I'll let you know how it goes when we get back!

BABY!!!!

Check it out!! I am a big sister again! Monday night, just past my birthday by three hours, so really tuesday morning, little baby boy Storb was born. Today Grandpa Chris and Nona Jen as they are known around this house, are taking home their new little bundle of joy. I can not wait to meet and kiss this little package of cuteness. Sounds like we are making our way down there at the end of the month. Otto and Mette need to meet their new uncle and teach him the ways of the world!

Four!

Otto is four. And is he ever. If he does something tricky or cool and you tell him, he says, "yeah, that's 'cause I am bigger now, I am four". It seems totally corny, but I swear on his birthday last Monday he woke up bigger. I keep looking at him trying to figure out just how to put into words what makes him look and seem older and I can't figure it out. He is growing out of clothes at a lightning fast rate, but he often does that. I just bought him some new pants and shorts and I ordered size 5/6. The kids legs go on forever! His ability to sit quietly and play with Legos gets longer everyday. We now spend most of our time at home building with Legos, reading about Star Wars or dressing up and acting out scenes of fantasy having to do with Star Wars.

Otto still continues to be a wonderful big brother to Mette. He really cares about her. He is often sad when she has to take a nap and is so excited when she wakes up. Having her around to play with really is an important part of his day. They are still playing really well together. He is getting better at explaining with whole sentences how he wants Mette or I to play with him. Instead of just "Mette, follow me!" I am trying to help him tell her why he wants her to follow him. And where they are going. If she catches wind that he is too eager to play with her she shuts down and won't play anymore. Just to piss him off. She is a little stinker this one. But, if he can sell and exciting adventure she still idolizes him enough to want to follow along. With Otto I feel like I am giving him good life skills for dealing with women and people in general. With Mette I am not at all worried that I am setting her up to follow along with the program. Mette is never going to be a person who just goes with the flow. Of that we can be very certain.

We are establishing quite a lovely tradition of quietly celebrating birthdays at home with just family. Eric, the kids and myself and grandparents who can make it. I am really hoping we can keep this up for many years to come. It is so relaxing and much more fun than a big party. Next year we will be in London for the kids birthdays so it will be easy to do there!

We celebrated Otto's birthday last Saturday with presents and cake with Grandmom and Grandpa. Otto was just a LITTLE excited!!

You may notice there was a bit of a STAR WARS theme. Legos, dishes, sheets, books. He got it all.

Just talking about cake and ice cream got this:

Actually seeing it come through the door:

Getting closer....

Here it is. The Hoth cake. A buttercream winter wonderland.

Making sure those are real Lego guys.

Tasting a bit of the icing.

I love this shot.

Complete with a Wampa in the background.

Happy Birthday Otto. Four years, they are flying by. I am looking forward to this next year coming up. We have a lot of adventures in store for us. You really are turning into a wonderful little boy.

Much love,

mom