A Day

It was a long day. But a GREAT day. Here is Buby this morning totally ignoring me as I'm telling him to put on his shoes. I let him watch Disney Playhouse while I quick got dressed and ready, since I had to get us out of the house by 8:30 for appointments at two more private schools. Buby doesn't watch much TV. Actually, aside from two movies and a Doodlebops DVD from his grandmothers, he never noticed the TV until we all got sick earlier this month. I think it's amazing how a kid can get hooked on something the very first time he sees it. I've never witnessed anything like it. While we were sick the 2 (or 3, when Daddy was home) of us would curl up on the bedroom floor with blankets and watch Mickey and Winnie until we fell asleep. Oh, and Dora, too. We were so sick and couldn't do anything else. Now Buby asks for it in the morning, and I usually say no. Something about him starring blank at anything freaks me out! I'd rather be interacting. Talking. Anything. This morning I said yes since I knew we had to leave in 10 minutes. He stood up and cheered and then positioned himself on his froggie chair and just gazed like this, clasping his hands. Weird. Kinda cute. Minutes later, I had to shut it off and load him into the car. He wasn't thrilled.

The school visits were interesting. For me. Buby's mind was elsewhere {maybe still on Mickey} and he didn't cooperate in the least. That's okay. He was having what I call a "ME" day. A sensitive day where he'll cry or beg to be carried everywhere for no reason at all. He's allowed sometimes... I couldn't wait to leave by the time the tours were over though, and my left side was killing me. It was so cold and windy we almost blew away in the parking lot. The door slammed shut on my leg as I buckled Buby in his seat. I slipped in the mud. Then my nose started bleeding. On the way home I quick stopped at Lowe's for Daddy's paint rollers and Michael's {next door} for Buby's V-Day supplies. Buby begged for lunch as we zoomed through the store, even though he ate a full bowl of Cheerios, blueberries, AND a yogurt for breakfast. He was chanting something about a sandwich. My nose was still bleeding, and we had too much to do today to sit in a restaurant. So I pulled into a Subway sub shop. I haven't eaten at one of these since way before I got pregnant {paranoia over all the 20/20 specials on deli meats I suppose}. Buby has never been. But I found they have the cutest little kid sandwiches. Not all huge and bready. He got whole wheat with a slice of turkey and a slice of a provoline and a single tomato. That's it. He saw sliced apples on the menu and went birzirk, but they were out today. Darn. We brought waters in from the car and sat at a booth. I unwrapped the sandwich and took off Buby's sweater. He leaned in, threw his arms around me and said "I LOVE YOU MAMA!" So unexpected. I'll take it. I gave in twice today, and apparently someone was keeping count. Anyway, we played for a while back at home. When I walked him up to his room at naptime, he asked me to lay with him and read "WINNIE DA POO." I did, we chatted for a bit, and before long we both fell asleep. All cuddly. I haven't napped in years. Seriously. It was nice.

CNY Party!

Buby's invite arrived in our mailbox today! We had the best time at this party last year. The food was delish, the company even better. My Sweets picked up a sweet red + gold outfit for Buby in Chinatown, which was too long at the time. My attempt at last-minute hemming was a joke, so I'm thinking it will just about fit perfectly this year.

Pretty Things

Blue + green are my favorite colors. Didn't you know? This image ran as the 'color palette of the month' in Country Home a million months ago. I saved it and rediscovered it this weekend when I was cleaning out my home office. In addition to an addiction to writing utensils {inherited from my mom}, the cool + calm shades in this shot inspire me. I would lather my whole house in it if I could.

Company C

Another pretty thing courtesy of my mailbox today. A 'Happy New Year' card from one of my fave textile sources. Company C is all about living with color and daring graphics, and I love them for it.

Earth to Buby

I love that an asteroid estimated to be the size of 2 football fields will nearly miss the Earth sometime tonight. We won't get another chance to see this until 2027. Buby's dad and I chatted about it this a.m., since Buby is fascinated with all things "WAY UP IN THE SKY." Experts say the rare event should be visible with a medium-sized telescope, but I just found out ours is on Grandpa J's farm. Shoot. Let me know if any of you guys catch a glimpse. Don't worry, it only hits every 37,000 years or so.

image: google

Festive Freestyle

Original red + green crayon creation by Buby. Dated: 1.28.08. Origination: Buby Land. Value: Priceless. Note: Lately he scribbles and then dots up the paper like mad, as a finishing touch. When I asked him why he loves to dot, he answers "MO DOES THAT." I know he's talking about Mo {his favorite drummer} but I have no clue what Mo does that looks like this.

Graduation

2.28.08

Today Buby graduated from a Beast to a Super Beast. That's in Little Gym terms. We started out as Birds a year and a half ago, and look how far we've come! Miss Denise actually got all but a few kids to pose for a class photo. That NEVER would've happened last January. Buby had the hour of his life, as usual, swinging off the uneven bars, walking the balance beam, pounding the spring board, and running in circles on the big red mat. There were also bells, balls, bubbles, stickers and stampers between all of the jumping and exercises today.



For a little while, it was like the Buby + Lily show. They followed each other to each aparatus. If it was even half as fun for Buby as it was for me to watch...



Ever the gentleman, Buby helps Lily get up. Whether she's ready or not.


Buby and Grace just chilling.


Happy Buby.

Metal Day

"I am the champion!!"

Strutting across the stage with Miss Denise.

Happy Buby.

A Hint of Brown

Original brown + rouge painting by Buby. Dated: 1.22.08. Origination: Buby Land. Value: Priceless. Note: Miss Sherri talked about brown this week in preschool. Next Tuesday Buby will wear a brown shirt, Jack will bring in a brown treat, and we will add another page to the "Brown Bear" books we are creating. And when Buby asked me to paint that night, he asked for brown. But the coat of red really stole the show.

Old Photo Friday

My friend Nicole {left} and I doing handstands on a semi-frozen lake. Looking back, kinda foolish. At the time, way fun! We were 4 magazine chicks in NYC on a girls-only weekend in the Pocono wilderness. Lots of cooking, drinking, dancing until 4am, and {YES} arm wrestling. No road trip is complete without a barbaric arm-wrestling competition, right? I still laugh at how My Sweets trusted me with the car. I got lost twice and nearly ran out of gas on a dark stretch 10 miles from nowhere.

Big Foot

My Sweets suspected Buby's boots were too snug, so we trekked over to our shoe lady yesterday. We've come to trust her over the past year and a half, she is great at measuring children's feet, and Buby thinks her shop is an amusement park. Turns out Little Dude jumped from size 10 to 12 during his recent growth spurt!! Oops. As always, Buby's right foot is about a 1/2 size larger than his left. Everything in the shop is 50% off this week {she's moving and liquidating inventory}, so it was the perfect day for new shoes. Buby b-lined it for the Eccos. They're comfy and supportive and mold to his feet instead of the other way around. The Ecco Ultra Terrain Tahoe sneaker, shown above, usually retails for $70. We picked up size 28 {European} for $35 no tax. YUGH! They are lightweight and fast-drying. The rugged rubber outsole provides lots of traction and will protect his feet on the playground come spring. I love that it's a slip-on with an adjustable bungee closure. Here are 2 other treads we like for toddler boys that she did NOT have in stock.

Ecco Ultra Terrain Dakota sneaker (left); Street Invader Striker (right)

Play-Doh Party

There was much more to this afternoon's playdate at Gilly's than Play-Doh. It was a wild 3 hours with its share of drama. But for a short time we had all 4 kids at the same table at the same time, intensely focused on cutting, rolling, and shaping. What fun. I totally recommend this Play-Doh craft caddy. It was genius. Thank you to our hosts, Alana + Gillian, for providing such wonderful food and entertainment for both moms + munchkins.

Check out Hasbro's Play-Doh Craft Caddy here.

Baby Face

Tuckered out after a playdate at Gilly's, 1.24.08

I catch little glimpses of it everyday. His Babyness. When he sleeps so sound or suffers a boo boo, it's my teeny tiny baby I see. When he yells "Mommy, Help Me!" and curls that bottom lip, the world stops for as long as he needs. I cannot be any more IN love. I feel constantly blessed to be able to watch this kid of ours grow up. It's a daily evolution. Lately, it's happening too fast. He's less baby boy and more big kid than I ever imagined at 2. Here are some undeniable signs that Buby is not so itty bitty anymore...

• He grabs his own hat and gloves on the way out of the house
• He's up to 4 or 5 stickers a day for going potty on the toilet
• He likes to pick out his own clothes in the morning
• He says "please" and "thank you" and "excuse me" and "bless you"
• He tells US stories at bedtime, and we understand every word
• He holds us to everything we say and do, even months later
• He recites "Our Father" by heart
• He has a sophisticated sense of humor and gets sarcasm
• He remembers to feed the fish 3xs a day
• He watches football with his dad and shouts "GO BUFFALO!"
• He showers and does a thorough job cleaning himself
• He builds great towers and doesn't want to knock them down
• He brushes his own teeth with a power brush 2-3xs a day
• He decides before he creates artwork who it is for
• He has real conversations with Grandpa J. on the phone
• He reminds us to floss his teeth before bed
• He corrects me if I skip a part in any of his books
• He loves to learn and be quizzed on what he knows
• He opens the fridge by himself {and I quickly close it}
• He sits at the grownup table... no highchair or booster
• He has adventurous taste buds. He'll try anything
• He checks himself out in the mirror
• He uses chopsticks whenever his dad does
• He blows his own nose and throws it in the garbage
• He puts his plate in the sink after dinner
• He announces every toot and burp with great pride
• He orders for himself in restaurants
• He pulls up his stool to help me cook
• He kisses MY boo boos and says "ALL BETTER"
• He plays well independently + with others
• He (usually) hands toys over if he senses another kid wants it more
• He feels a lot of empathy when his friends cry or get hurt

Pinka Dot

Original green scribbles + dots on pink by Buby. Dated: 1.21.08. Origination: Buby Land. Value: Priceless

The Engaged

To: Uncle Billy + Lauren

Mama says you just got engaged, whatever that means. Today I am clapping my hands silly, because I sure do love you both silly! And I'm selfishly celebrating how Lauren is the FUNest aunt ever!

Love you,
Buby

i heart

this long weekend...

i love the sight of: a playoff game in overtime {yes, i was actually watching}, buby taking forever to decide which sticker to pull from the dentist's prize box, snow that just refuses to melt

i love the sound of: music in the car... always, Buby singing "Jingle Bells" a month too late, the postman dropping the lid on our box, Buby reciting his prayers and telling ME stories at bedtime, political analysis from all sides

i love the scent of: citrus in winter, shampoo at the hair salon, onion bagels in the toaster, spring {i can dream on weekends, can't i?}

i love the taste of: homemade tomato-mozzarella-garlic pizza, a really fresh salad bar, steak sandwiches on french bread a la My Sweets, raspberry sherbet, freezing cold orange juice {a pregnancy craving}

i love the feel of: unsolicited hugs and kisses, chopping 4 inches off my hair, knowing without question i'm doing something right for Buby, turning in work i am proud of, submitting invoices

image: google

Lunch Date

2 little friends + 2 moms + 2 dads = 6 for lunch. After Buby's Little Gym class yesterday we all met at Ruby Tuesdays. It's THE destination for hungry toddlers. The booths are long, super tall + private. Buby devoured the salad bar {tomatoes, cheese, grapes, pumpernickel croutons, chickpeas, soybeans, and carrot shavings} while waiting for his teeny tiny turkey burger and mashed potatoes. He and Lillian were delightful as ever. They sat across from each other giggling quietly while us parents had FULL conversations. At the very end, Lillian asked if she could come over to our side. After many an impromptu hug, I pulled out my camera.

Painter's Palette

Original pink + blue abstract painting by Buby. Dated: 1.21.08. Origination: Buby Land. Dedication: Buby told me this is JUST for Daddy. Value: Priceless

Bleu's Tree

Buby does up his potted tree with the cutest assortment every holiday. Sometime between the Easter tree and the Memorial Day tree, Buby will become a big brother. It's huge for him, and he's silly with anticipation. He pats my belly daily and states things like, "BABY STILL IN MAMA'S BELLY!" He includes "BABY SISTER" in his prayers every night and throws names out for consideration. It only seems fitting that baby girl's homecoming be an all-out holiday in Buby Land. The search begins for sweet + soft handmade ornaments for the tree. The colors are pink, green + cream. I'm betting she'll love hearts as much as I do... I'm snagging her this felt ornament I found on Etsy. Buby absolutely adores hanging new ornaments. He throws a party after each one. So he'll craft little wood ornaments just for his sister and stash them away until spring. When we leave for the hospital, I will give Buby a groovy little box of these goodies all wrapped up and ask him to decorate the tree real pretty for when his baby sister comes home. This will be his project. Eventually, the ornaments will make their way into Bleu's saver box.

Old Photo Friday

The summer of '97. Frolicking on a Florida beach. My Sweets + I just before driving from New York to Arizona for journalism and grad school.
photo taken by grammy dj

The Notebook

My notebook of ideas + lists. Color inspires me!

School Days

Buby will start preschool in the fall. Real preschool... the kind where I leave and he has a life without me. At least for a few hours. I've avoided the topic here, even though it consumes me at times. It's just too broad. I have A LOT of feelings about early education and want to see the gamut of options before My Sweets + I make up our minds on where to send Buby.

Yesterday the Little Dude + I had a WONDERFUL visit at yet another Montessori school {shown}. Of all the schools we've seen so far--public, private, Waldorf, Montessori--this one is probably the best fit for Buby. An environment well suited to his particular style of learning. The classrooms are calm, peaceful, clean, spacious, and organized. {You'd hope these are common denominators everywhere, but I've been surprised at many turns.} There were no tantrums or raising voices to get kids into a line or a circle on the floor. No frustration or rushing or fighting over plastic toys. Most of the 3-5 year olds we saw were working on their own independent projects or "assignments" with teachers walking around to offer one-on-one guidance. The children seemed happy to be there, comfy, and really into the classwork, be it geography, math, science, art, letters, or animal life. Buby made himself at home. I met some other parents and just observed all the little minds at work.

The philosophy of this school--though noncompetitive at its core--offers opportunities to thrive in so many different areas. They even expose our little sponges to Japanese and Spanish in their second year, believing they'll absorb things just from being around them. No pressure. I've always felt that way. From what I see, the school emphasizes the process more than the product of learning in order to create lifetime learners. It sort of nurtures the child's spirit and lets him or her work at their own pace and excel at what they love. The teacher will introduce new materials as current materials are mastered, to ensure success rather than frustration. Being kind and respectful is as important as learning numbers. Learning to prepare a simple snack and clean up afterward as important as learning languages. Mutual respect is key.

So many preschools fall into extremes. Either nothing BUT pure socialization {which isn't our main priority, since we've been socializing Buby in classes since he was 6 months old}, too hardcore academia--in my opinion--for this age group, or too alternative for me {all nature and imaginative play and not enough foundation for the real world}. This one was a nice mix. Who knows if Buby will go back in September. It isn't exactly convenient to home, and the schedule isn't as conducive with a second baby on the way. But it was a good day. We have a few more to visit, and we're hoping those go nearly as well. Anyway, so aside from playtime, appointments and deadlines, that's where my brain has been these past few days. I promise to get back to my short posts.

Happy Ramblings

Buby in his new Thomas jammies and bright green goggles.

Just 1 photo + my busy thoughts today. We're finally back to reality. Back to health! Back to classes and exuberant play and to-do lists. Yesterday Buby saw his BFF Lillian for the first time since December 18th. That's an eternity for a toddler... and the girl he adores. It was a wonderful reunion of squeezes, high-fives, tag, and fake falling just to help each other up. All of this schmoozing during a 45-minute class. Today we resumed preschool and swimming, so it was ALL SMILES for 3 hours straight. I LOVE to watch Buby in class. His interaction with other kids, his thought process, his sensitivities + strengths. He is napping at the moment, which I also missed while we were sick. This week I'm on deadline for a few freelance projects, in addition to classes, appointments, and things to get done at home. So we will post light.

Buby Hits the Slopes

Buby & Co. hit the slopes this weekend. It was SO MUCH FUN to watch Buby ski for the first time. I wasn't sure it could be done at 2, but Buby is hooked now! We had our choice of resorts and picked one that our friends described as "cozy and great for beginners." It definitely was. We stopped at a cute ski shop halfway up the mountain and purchased Buby an adjustable Marker brand helmet. They didn't have his size skis or boots in stock, so we continued to the lodge and rented a pair of 90-02s and size 9 boots... in PINK!



As we walked to the top of the hill, I explained to Buby that skiing is like sledding with your feet. He totally got it! Daddy took a solo run to get his groove back. {He's more of a snowboarder since his bindings broke.} Buby watched with intensity and couldn't wait for his turn.




I'm not sure which part Buby delighted in more... going down the mountain or heading back up. All the way down he screamed "WEE!... WEE!" and and "FASTER!" Holding onto Daddy + the pull lift, he shouted "GO BABY, GO BABY, GO!" back up. Grammy DJ + I stood at the top in total awe of our sons.



While Daddy took a breather Buby wanted to "GO, GO, GO!" So Grammy DJ + I each took a hand and ran across the hill a few times trying to keep up with him. This trip was all about gaining confidence. Just introducing Buby to the concept and getting him comfy on skis. Walking in those crazy boots alone is an adjustment, and Buby took it all in like a pro.




After some practice, Buby started lifting his skis to turn and improving his posture. People kept walking past me and asking how old he was. What can I say... 2 year olds are fearless!



Congrats Buby on another successful first! We hope to ski again soon.