More Easter 2009

We went to Barry and Tara's (Adam's Brother) house for Easter. As usual, they cooked a big spread and it was a lot of fun. Tara was even brave enough to arrange some egg dying for Henry. Grandpa Joe came through with two of the world's largest Easter baskets. Good thing because Mean Mommy didn't make any. Henry and I did hit the Easter candy pretty hard during the week prior so don't feel too bad for him.

Molly also had her first swing ride that day.

My Little Easter Bunny

I have to admit, having a girl is super fun, especially around the holidays. I had a few wardrobe options for Molly's Easter dress, compliments of Aunt Heather and her endless bag of brand-new hand me downs. Our plans were foiled that morning when Adam tried to put the little while tights on Molly. They were so big and baggy around her calves and ankles and just looked ridiculous. On to Plan B. We put her in this adorable outfit that we received as a gift. Her legs looked like little striped sausages, they were so cute.

Henry however, did not get a special outfit. If you search back you can re-live Easter 2008 with me. That was the cutest little suit and he never wore it once. Little chop-buster.

Well, it started out as fun

They have changed the recommendations AGAIN on when you can start solids. Some sources say four months, some say six months. Since Molly has been so interested in food (lunging after meatballs with her mouth open) the doctor said it was OK to try to feed her. As you can tell by the pictures, she wasn't really keen on the idea. Cereal was a bust, applesauce was a disaster, bananas were lukewarm. Henry is on board with the project though, he begs me to give Molly a BA-nana every morning. Accent on the BA.

Let's Get Physical!

Here is Molly giving the Exersaucer a whirl for the first time. She looks thrilled doesn't she?

My Little Gourmet

"What is crazy Vanessa doing now? These pictures are kind of gross, Henry stuffing crackers into his mouth. Charming."

I post these pictures to illustrate one of Henry's best qualities in my mind. The child will eat almost anything. Here he is happily stuffing goat cheese into his mouth. I know many adults that won't touch the stuff and he was acting like it was a Happy Meal. Other crazy stuff he has eaten lately: mussels, fish stew, salmon, hard boiled eggs, tuna salad, olives, broccoli rabe...He doesn't always like it but he will at least give it a whirl.

The Great Egg Hunt of 2009

This year's Egg Hunt was a lot more successful than last year because he came home with at least one egg. He dumped them out last year and other kids kept snatching them. I was part of the egg stuffing committee this year and we stuffed 1000 eggs and there were not enough. I'd say that 500 kids showed up. This neighborhood has a lot of families and is growing every day. I also worked the bake sale table. If you didn't know better, you'd think we lived in Mayberry and not Manhattan!

Happy Half Birthday Henry!

My baby is now officially two and a half! We continue to celebrate half birthdays around here because you can never have too much cake. Here are some pictures of the big day.

Henry Funnies

Here are some recent funny statements from Henry

• Last night he was stirring an egg for me while I was making dinner. Adam walked in the front door and Henry said "Daddy, never eat raw eggs!"
• Today Henry and I were playing ball in the hall (in our apartment). I laid down on the floor and Henry said "Mama, get up. The floor is dirty!"
• He was listening to the radio this morning and dancing. When the song ended he said "Mama, more Rock!"
• Whenever I ask him if he needs to use the bathroom he says "Mmm, no thanks!"
• He asked for something to eat and I asked him what he wanted. In his best teenager voice he said "Uh Food?" What a little smart alec.

Like A Plague Was Upon Us

Whew! We have just ended a NINE day bout of the stomach virus at our house.

It started with Henry tossing his cookies last Saturday and ended with me begging for mercy yesterday when left home alone with two kids and a relentless GI virus. It was the week that would never end. We dropped off a huge bag of laundry to be washed at the laundromat but still did 10 loads of laundry over the course of the plague. I think every pillow, blanket, sheet and article of clothing was hit in some way. Adam even had to have his spring jacket dry cleaned. I have yet to figure out how to get some of it out of our seagrass carpets with all of the nooks and crannies.

Keep your fingers crossed, but despite Molly's attempt to include Daddy by projectile vomiting in his face while he was sleeping, Adam has not caught it. The one good point of all of it is that I have lost 7.5 pounds in a week. Pretty efficient diet if you ask me!

My Naughty Girl

Molly's nickname is "The Little Bad Girl" or LBG for short.

She loves to be held, hates to be left alone in any sort of contraption and always prefers to sleep with someone holding her. She takes very short naps for an infant, usually about thirty minutes long. She will sleep a lot longer if she is strapped to someone's chest, so I know she is capable. She doesn't cry a lot anymore, she just does this pitiful little whimper. When you get near to her, she rewards you with the biggest, most beautiful smile that you are powerless not to pick her up. I know I am being manipulated by her of course, but who could resist?

My sister's rule is that if a baby wakes up crying, they are not done sleeping. Well, I am not sure what to do with Molly then. She takes one of her "micro-naps" and then wakes up just cooing away. She then gives you a little belly laugh when she sees you.

Last night, Henry was being a goofball and doing a little dance in his room. He would race around a toy, singing the ABC song. Every time he did it, Molly was cracking up. I couldn't believe that a baby this young could laugh like that. I have a feeling that she is going to be a lot of fun!