Gillhoolley Family Circus

Autumn

2011-09-20T16:29:00.000-07:00

What a cutie. Not a performer but she likes to show you that she is cute.

Scabetti - what she calls Spaghetti
Comp-pillar Catapillar

1st day of Kindergarten August 31, 2011

2011-08-31T13:14:00.001-07:00

I need to write about this day. He slept in till 7am. He never does that. He ate a cream cheese sandwich, a banana, and a bowl of cereal. He drank Strawberry lemonade. He wore a blue shirt and a vest. “James Bond wears vests mommy. I want to look sharp!” He wore his new sneakers. He loved his Toy Story backpack and lunchbox. I packed him 2 cheeses, a fruit bar, 2 juices, and an apple. He was only going for a half-day - no lunch. He put on a green baseball hat before he left. “My look is complete,” he said. He ran to the car. He couldn’t wait to get started. We went into the courtyard with all the other parents. The kids tossed their bags on the ground and went to play in the playground. Three teachers held up signs. I saw the one I wanted. She’s short, juicy, and typically French. She has big boobs as well and a melodic laugh. She just screams Kindergarten teacher to me. She is Ronin teacher. Her name is Madame Constantine. She has a name that has a sound that is not even in the English language.

Ronin’s name was called and he ran right towards her.

“After you left mommy, Madame said it was free play and I went back to the castle. After playing we all got our lunchboxes and had snack. Good choices today mama. I ate everything. Tout! Then we sat in a learning circle and learned about safety. Then Madame read us a story. Then she let me play with an iPad. We have four in the class. We talked about safety again and that we do not want to drop the technology. I made four friends. I know you said that I did not have to make any friends the first day but I did.”

Wilder Penfield Kindergarten

2011-06-14T13:31:00.000-07:00

Ronin walked into Wilder Penfield Kindergarten orientation all smiles. He walked right over to a pile of books, selected one, and brought it over to Sean. He read along with Sean as other kids filed in. He looked around. Another boy walked over, saw that Ronin was reading and got himself a book.

When Principal Cyr called out each child's name they got a name tag. Ronin was thrilled and immedietely ran over to me and showed me his name. He then found some paper and a pen and wrote his name at the top of the paper and began to draw.

Three Kindergarten teachers started calling out names and collecting kids. They were going to observe the kids today and make the three kindergarten classes 18 kids each. Some kids cried and others were walked to the front of the room with their parents. When Ronin's name was called - he ran off to the teacher. "Mommy I am going with her to Kindergarten" said Ronin. "I love you mommy and daddy!" and he blew me a kiss.

At the end we waited for Ronin in the daycare room. He ran in all smiles with a new puppet he had made. Mommy, do you think it was bad that I ran out of the class when it was done to came straight to you? I missed you mommy."

He cannot wait to go back.

Autumn is potty trained!

2011-05-30T12:05:00.001-07:00

There have been a lot of milestones lately. Sean and I have been having a hard time potty-training Autumn. There have been several starts and all were crash-n-burns. After a two-week break Autumn came home from school and said “I peed on the potty. I want a cherry candy.” I said yes and she squealed. Then on May 19, 2011 my mom came to visit us here in Montreal. We went out to dinner on Friday night and Autumn asked me to go to the potty in the restaurant. I jumped at the opportunity. I took her into the ladies room and placed her on the toilet. I held on to her and bent down in front of her. She said, “Mommy listen to my pee-pee sounds!” And she peed! And she hasn’t stopped since. In other restaurants, in other people’s homes, in the Civic Center and in my house! I couldn’t be more proud. She potty trained herself in a weekend (Victoria Day, May 24, 2011 weekend) and 3 and ½. Ronin trained himself at 3 and ½ on Memorial Day Weekend.

Autumn was shy for about 5 minutes!

2011-03-10T08:30:00.000-08:00

Autumn had a shy moment this morning. When she walked into her classroom this she didn’t want to leave my side. I bent down and whispered, “What is wrong chicken?” Autumn pointed at two five year old girls and said, “I want to play.”
Then go play baby?” I said.
“I have a pink elephant,” Autumn said to the two girls and buried her head in my leg. I walked her over and said, “tell them again sweetie.” Autumn turned and saw that five girls had come over and wanted to see her elephant. One girl said to me, “Why do you call her chicken?”
“Does your mom or dad call you a little pet name at home?” I asked
“My mom calls me pumpkin and my sister turtle.” One girl said.
“See, that is why I call Autumn chicken.”
“Makes sense.” Said the girl. Autumn then takes her hand and pushes on my thigh.
“Mama, you go home now. First I want kissie.” I kiss her and she says, “okay you go home now.” The shy moment has passed.

Normal stuff Mama

2011-03-09T08:08:00.000-08:00

"Ronin? Where are you?" I look around the room and down the stairs. He is not at the front door. I know if I can hear him then all is well. He is loud. I stop and hold my breath. Autumn reached up and grabs my hand.
“Where Ronin go Mama?” Autumn asks. Her brow furrowed as if she is accusing me of losing her brother. Little does she remember that I was up here trying to get her to say goodbye for the last 10 minutes. I want to head downstairs as quickly as I can.
“Let’s go find him baby chicken.” I say.
“Okay, we go and find Ronin downstairs.” Walking down the stairs as quickly as I can with an opinioned three year old is not easy. I bend down and look through the glass door to the classrooms downstairs. I then see Ronin. I breathe again. The glass door opens and Ronin turns around.
“Come on up luv-luv!” I say. Ronin turns to the man and says goodbye and jumps across the room the glass door. He flings it open and jumps up each stairs on opposite feet. This kid is nimble. None of those awesome genes come from me.
“What were you talking about with Tyler’s dad, Ronin?” I ask.
“Normal stuff Mama (he has taken to calling me Mama as it sounds more French to him,) like days of the week, when is Saturday, what month is it, numbers. It wasn’t a high level conversation but I liked it!” Ronin says.

Practicing Conversation

2010-12-27T11:05:00.001-08:00

“Mommy, when I go to Winter Camp today will I know anyone? Asks Ronin.
“There might be some kids from Hockey.” I say.
“Mommy, lets practice conversation so I know how to make friends.” Says Ronin.
“First, baby you can ask a kid his name and then if he likes hockey.”
“Okay. Mommy I be me and you be you. Hi!” says Ronin
“Hi!” I say
“Do you like hockey?”
“Yes I do” I say.
“I play in Dollard at the civic center and I have a Montreal Canadiens jersey.” Says Ronin.
“See Ronin you can do this.” I say.
“Yes and I can also talk about Star Wars and playing soldiers in battle.” Say Ronin.
“Do you feel better now?” I ask.
“Yeah. Let’s go already!” Ronin races to the car.
Thank G-d for my well adjusted 5 year old.

An elf took Ronin's Santa letter

2010-12-13T13:08:00.000-08:00

We put up our Christmas tree yesterday. The kids loved it. Autumn sang Hanouka songs the entire time. I couldn’t stop laughing. Ronin wrote a letter to Santa and placed it into the Santa letterbox we have hanging from the tree. The picture that he had drawn was of the family and Santa with a BIG bag full of presents for us because we have been very good this year.

“I helped Daddy move to Montreal, and I help teach Autumn a lot of stuff all the time!’ said Ronin. This morning Ronin ran over to the tree and told me “Daddy has a secret connection the Santa’s elves. An elf picked up my letter and Daddy said that the elf brings Santa all the last minute letters. It is lucky that we are in Montreal and so close to the North Pole now.” Said Ronin.

Looking outside it looks The North Pole.

CPE Hebrew Foundation for Autumn

2010-12-09T09:30:00.000-08:00

I am such a good mom. I am. I want Autumn an Ronin in the best daycare that I could afford. When we arrived in Montreal we placed them into a daycare with one of their cousins. Within two week and seventy calls later I got them into another one, which was much nicer. They are very happy there. Ronin is learning a lot of French and Autumn is experiencing full time school in a very nurturing environment. In August I placed Autumn again on the waiting lists for the Jewish daycares. I applied and sent in all the applications. I followed up. Today Autumn got into the CPE Hebrew Foundation Pre-K for August 2011. I have already applied for Ronin to attend the Kindergarten in the fall as well. I am thrilled. Everyone will be learning Hebrew, French and English. This is a good day.

Hanouka Day 7

2010-12-08T08:47:00.001-08:00

Last night Autumn and I played Princess Barbie’s. She changes their diapers and “they play in he pink car.” Autumn loves her Princess Barbie’s and calls them “my friends, mon amies”. Right now her favorite is Ariel. Ronin really likes Jasmine. He likes “her long hair and special earrings. Makes her a little more fancy you know.” Snow White gets playtime but she is definitely a rung below Belle.

Autumn:
“Momma, I love Hanouka and my presents. I love my friends and snow and pink. My Ronin is my best friend. Where Leno going?” and she chases after the cat and “wants to pet her soft on the fur.” As Autumn disappears I hear a meow and a giggle and realize that Autumn found Leno under the table. “Her tail is moving Momma.” Autumn says. “Be careful Autumn. Don’t make Leno stressed. Her tail moves fast when she has the stress,” Ronin informs us all.

First serious snowfall in Montreal Dec 7, 2010

2010-12-07T08:38:00.001-08:00

I am being punished I know. The first snow in Montreal was billed at 2-4cm. After I googled and consulted Facebook friends (thank you Janet Blank) Okay 2.5cm = 1 inch. I woke up to 17-18cm. What the f is that? My addled brain calculated 7-9 inches. G-d I miss my inches and feet and my Fahrenheit.

So why am I being punished? Since that was my basic premise here. This is why. I have a temper and say things I shouldn’t say. Like this morning Ronin lost Autumn’s new Hanouka present from last night. When approached Ronin said he didn’t touch it. I had already scolded him for playing with it at 6:30am this morning and waking her up.

He did and was careless. I said “Maybe we should go into your room and throw away one of your toys?” I did this to inspire him into movement. I wanted him to care about finding something that he lost that belonged to Autumn. But it didn’t. I found the toy, which annoyed me more as I hate being annoyed over lost toys. Too petty for me but it drives me bonkers! So Ronin was annoyed at me for being mean and I was annoyed at Ronin was not caring and the snow came and punished me.

But we sang the shma the entire way there and we arrived just fine. Took me an 75 mins to get back home when it should have taken 15 minutes but everyone is safe. Sean will pikc them up and I have cancelled our haircuts for tonight. Like hell I am driving again today.

When we got to school Ronin kissed Autumn and said "I'm sorry I lost your phone. I do care. I will show you and not say it."

Ronin's new girlfriend Nov 2010

2010-11-29T05:41:00.000-08:00

“I am going to marry Natalie.” Says Ronin
“Why Natalie?” I ask.
“Because she is a lot of fun and keeps Elias away from me. He uses (in a whisper) the potty words.” Says Ronin.
“That makes sense.” I say.
“I also like Hannah. She has blonde hair and blue eyes. She laughs at the potty words too!”
“Oh I see.”
“Mommy. Natalie and I broke up. She is too bossy. She tells me who I can play with. I don’t like that I think.” Says Ronin.
“Exclusivity, Ronin. That is what a lot of women want.” Says my mom.
“Yeah, well. I’ll marry her and have 9 kids. But for now I think I will look around. Daddy says I can see as many girls as I want but can only marry one!”

Lits bits of Fall

2010-11-01T11:04:00.000-07:00

Snowed here in Montreal on Oct 30, 2010 at 10pm.

Ronin was Anankin Skywalker and Autumn was a Princess. Of course she was.

Ronin is speaking French and he has no idea what he is saying half the time. But he has a perfect accent. He comes home yesterday "maintenant maintenant mama no" Now Now No Mommy? He just loves the way it sounds. There is a new song everyday as well.

Autumn is a true Irish force of nature. "She loves school. It is the most fun!" and plays a lot with Ryan (said very affectionetely) and Tyler.

One week on to a new life in Montreal

2010-08-23T14:18:00.000-07:00

WE have been living in Montreal for less than I week and this is what I hear in the backseat of my car after we pick the kids up from daycare:

“Mama, there were four bullies at school. I hit a girl who called me stupid.”

“Ronin, you never hit a girl!” Sean said.

“Ronin, no hit the stupid girl.” Autumn pines.

“Autumn, don’t say stupid. It is an ugly word,” Ronin said.

“BITCH!” screams Autumn.

Sean and I look at one another and I assure him that word has not come out of my mouth. A lot of four-letters come out my mouth but not that one.

“Autumn, use pretty words.” I say.

“I’m f@cking you!” Autumn says.

Sean and I look at one another. I did say FU on the drive up 87 somewhere around exit 30 in the Adirondacks because I thought a truck was going to hit me.

“Daddy, did you hear what Autumn said?” Ronin states.

“Yes Ronin. We have to teach her to use pretty words because she doesn’t know what
she is saying.” Sean explains.

“Autumn – say PUMPKIN!” Ronin commands. He knows this will distract her and he uses this a lot of get her to do things he wants versus what she wants.

“Pumpkin!” Autumn chimes.

“1.2.3 say Pumpkin!” Ronin says.

“Pumpkin” we all say.

“Pumpkins are orange and they are a fruit.” I add.

“Oh!” Autumn says. Two minutes pass. A lot of jibber-jabber.

“Mama. I’m f@cking you?” Autumn says.

“Pumpkin!” We all answer!

Ronin is a Super Hero Age 4

2010-06-22T05:01:00.000-07:00

Ronin is all about the Super Heroes. Good guys bad guys. Who are? Today while he was skooting around on his new skooter he said "I am THUNDER BOLT."
I said, "I thought you were Captain America?"
He looked at me and said, "No mom, Captain America is my Super Hero name. My real name is THUNDER BOLT. That is the name I train under."

March 4, 2010 MILESTONE

2010-03-05T05:41:00.000-08:00

When I went to put Ronin to sleep tonight he turned to me and said, “Please take the bucket of binkies away mommy. I am done with my pacifiers. They are for babies and I don’t need them anymore!” Yup. My little man is growing up and on March 4, 2010 he gave up is sousies, binkies, pacifiers and nuks!! He did it on his own – and said he didn’t want to see them anymore as he was DONE!

Afterward he said, "Mommy I promise to use the truth and say what I mean and he honest and filled with truth. I will not cry when you end the story and I will not beg for more. I will listen and be good and help you all the time. Since I am so good, can I have a Warrior Princess story?"

He also said, "Autumn is FAST like a dog and Ronin is fast like a Jet!"

Ronin and Autumn in Feb 2010

2010-02-15T07:46:00.000-08:00

The stories that Ronin creates are fantastic. His imagination is blossoming and he wants to set the scene to tell us a story whenever he can. He also loves to perform physically. I took him to see Alvin and the Chipmunks as a reward for giving up his pacifier at school (he went cold turkey) and when we went to the theater we sat in the aisle. All the Single Ladies by Beyonce began and Ronin jumped out of his seat and started to shape his hips. Before I knew it he had jumped into the aisle and started tapping his toes and swinging his arms – with total abandon Ronin free-styled danced to his little heart’s content and I was very proud. His passion and commitment to fun made my little man smile and amaze the crowd.

Ronin says to me Saturday morning, “Welcome to my exotic animal shop, there is a poison toad, a bear, 2 macaws and a pelican, a three-headed snake, some bunnies, dogs, cats, and a goat. I just sold the cow to the mage on the ship. He is off to battle with the great Rogar and he needed to make sure that he had all his supplies.” Then his little sister, Autumn comes down the stairs, runs into my arms, kisses me on the lips and says, “I lol you mommy!” “I love you too Autumn” I say. She says “I lol my Ronin, daddy, mommy and baby Autumn.” Then she spins around giggles and runs for her dollhouse. After she plays there for about 20 minutes she remembers that she is hungry. ‘Mommy, I eat food, please?” And I say, “would you like some Cherrios?” “Autumn says, “yes with milk, mommy, I get spoon!” She opens up the drawer with her spoons, selects one of interest, and races me back into the family room. She runs over to her highchair, I pick her up, slide her in, and she starts to devour the Cheerios.

All day they play with one another. He falls down, she falls down, he jumps, she jumps, he says look at my foot, she falls to the ground, grabs her foot and says, “I got a foot!” She sings “Twinkle Twinkle” and “Row a Boat” and now she belts out at whim “Hey Ho! Blow the Man Down!” Let’s not forget the endless rendition of Heads, Shoulders, Knees and Toes follows by “Chicken Bells!”

Ronin says she talks too much and is too loud. He cannot hear himself think and he needs to think in order to have proper conversation!

Chanukah 2009

2009-12-18T13:46:00.001-08:00

Chanukah 2009

Was a success. Autumn received a few more rooms for her dollhouse and two new Barbie dolls which she calls “Bobbidolly.” She also received a book and new movie from her big brother Ronin. Ronin received several series books, Tag books, Spiderman, a monster house spooky set for his cars, and a doctor’s kit.

Ronin said, “Mommy I want a doctor’s kit for my birthday because I want to be a doctor.” Every Jewish mother’s dream right? And I never asked him about this, I never pushed or even suggested.
I said, “If you want to be a doctor you can. Maybe a pediatrician?”
“Like Dr. Amler, Mommy. I like him and he wears really nice ties like Daddy.” Said Ronin.
“Ronin if that is what you want – if I may make a suggestion, Ronin?”
“Yes Mommy, I know, not a surgeon, they work too hard and have to be in school for too long, and they don’t get to spend as much time as they want with their kids.” Said Ronin.
“That’s right baby. Be a doctor if you want and be happy but make sure that you have a wonderful quality of life, okay?” I said.
“Okay Mommy.” Said Ronin.

Lately, Ronin has been taking really good care of his sister, Autumn. When she cries, he runs right over to calm her down. He kisses and pats her head. He even sings to her.

“Daddy, Autumn is my best friend.” Says Ronin.
“Ronin, where are you? Love you” says Autumn.
Ronin rushes over to kiss her. She squeals in delight.

When Ronin is calming her down, she looks back at him and forgets why she was crying in the first place. Autumn now carries on full conversations with all of us and speaks incessantly to the cats and any other animals around.

“Joss, where you go? Why under the bed? Come and play with me.”
“Yoda, no running! Sit down. C’mon and play with me?”
“Leno, come here. I play with you and pet you. On tail. Soft. Mommy says.”

The chatter is endless. Thank goodness. Right?

Conversations with Autumn and Ronin

2009-11-12T12:34:00.000-08:00

Autumn:

“This is my daddy” says Autumn in the grocery store. Now I thought she was shy and had a serious case of stranger-danger but that appears to have cleared up completely! She engages everyone around her.

“Good Morning Mommy, what you doing?” she says.
“I am getting you some clothes to wear.” I say.
“I want pants and shirt and socks!” She says.
“Socks? But you will just take them off.” I say.
And then she smiles, looks down at the floor momentarily, and then looks up and guffaws! “I funny, Mommy. I silly too.” She says.

Ronin:

Last night when I was putting Ronin to sleep – he starts to tell me about his day.
“Mommy, each morning Miss. Jen asks us what job we want for the day.”
“What is your favorite job?” I ask.
“I like to be a lunch helper, more than a snack helper but Caboose is very important.”
“Tell me about Caboose. Did you get to be a caboose today?” I ask.
“No not today. Caboose is important because Caboose is the last to leave the classroom, they have to close the door and (big emphasis) turn off the light. Also they have to make sure to keep everyone in the line and moving forward. This is very important.”
“What job did you have today?” I ask.
“I was line leader. It is not that important but I am the best listener. That was why I got a prize today.”
“I am very proud of you for listening. I am glad that you help the teacher and enjoy school.” I said.

Autumn turns 2

2009-11-09T07:36:00.000-08:00

Autumn’s 2nd birthday party was awesome.

Ronin sported a black eye that he gave himself while jumping up and down on the couch. Autumn wore a beautiful new dress that my mom and grandma picked out!

I brought Autumn to mom’s at 11:30am so she could play and have a little lunch. She ate some turkey and had a lovely 2+ hour nap. I decorated the joint in Elmo fantastic-ness!! Between the hats, Elmo cupcakes and the 65 degree weather – all the kids had a blast!! They played outside and inside, downstairs and upstairs and everyone seemed to have a great time. Autumn walked around like she owned the joint and had no problem making herself happy. She ate pizza, fruit, cake, cupcakes, veggies, and almost everything else that she could get her hands on. Ronin devoured blueberries and strawberries. Autumn stole Nathaniel’s Elmo hat and made him cry and giggled at all the kids playing (and Spike the dog – hide himself away.) Diana and Phil were amazing as per usual -- always helping out to make things easier. Steve and Tamar and beautiful Romy and delicious Nathan (spitting image of Steve) were there is fine form. Tom and Amanda brought the kids and Ronin was so thrilled to see Nathaniel. Rachel schlepped from Montclair, NJ with both kids in tow and it was so good to see her. Her daughter, Amelia, lost her first tooth on an Elmo’s cupcake!!!! Grandma Barbara got a “squishy” hug from Ronin and several kisses!! And mom was covered in kisses from the kissy-friend Ronin!

Autumn made out like a bandit – soccer ball, Barbie, doll and clothes, coloring book from my mom. Tamar got her an awesome princess and prince little people castle, Diana and Phil are all about the educational toys and Tom and family got her an elmo/ sesame street microwave oven that Ronin was loving this morning! She still has yet to receive a doll house (Sean, Mom, myself) and animal clinic (Poppa Mike and Nanna Julie) which we will break out on Friday!

I am so happy that she was thrilled and we made a little 2 year super happy!!

And as I was leaving for work this morning – all I could hear was, “I love balloons!! I love them!!” from Autumn

Conversations with my almost 2 year old Autumn

2009-11-03T10:14:00.000-08:00

“Good morning Mommy. Look at me – I’m Autumn.” Autumn says.

“Good Morning Autumn. What to come out of the crib and play.” I ask.

“Want to come out. (Begins to jump up and down frantically) I want my friend (as she grabs her purple elephant) and Elmo and Cat and Coon (that would be her new raccoon toy.)

“Should we get you dressed?” I say

“No, no, I want to play 'go sleepy!'” (This is when she climbs into my bed and snuggles under the covers and pretends to sleep.)

“Want to go see daddy and Ronin downstairs?” I ask

“Yes! I love Ronin. Want to play.”

Incentive Program at school

2009-10-09T09:56:00.001-07:00

They have started a new incentive program at Ronin’s school in order to reign in bad behavior. To also help the kids realize that there are consequences for actions taken and good behavior will be rewarded.

Ronin explains the system as such:

"GREEN means you are good, YELLOW means you are being a little bad and RED means that you are so bad you get a note sent home. That's not good mommy." So I asked him what he thought about it and he said "I like cars mommy." Not what I was going for but it also made me see what he had grasped from the lesson.

This made me think of my dad.

To tell a funny story ... my dad was born in Germany and when the family escaped from Germany during WWII and moved to NYC - English was not his first language. In fact it was his 4th (German, Hebrew, Yiddish, English, French) .. anyway .. he used to get in trouble as he couldn't understand the language, was a TALL boy (hit 6 feet by 11 yrs old and grew to 6'7) .. but when he got in trouble the teacher handed him a colored index card. If he managed to make it the whole week without the color index card changing - he got a sticker. My dad never got that sticker (and they tried this with him for over 2 yrs.) When I read about the cars and lights I laughed. It seems the more things change the more they truly stay the same.

BEWARE GREEN AV

2009-09-21T06:15:00.000-07:00

There is a new virus that is posing as virus protection software. It is called Green AV, and here is how it works. A message is sent that appears to come from your own computer, warning you that a virus has infected the computer. If you click their OK button you are giving a company called Green AV access to your computer. Files are installed that allow them to take over a small section of your internet explorer window, the size of a pop-up blocker warning. The only thing you can do to remove this button is either A) buy the recommended internet security software that Green AV sells, or B) uninstall the program that you never realized they had installed to begin with.

I went to the Green AV website, found their Contact Us section, and sent them an email threatening them with legal action if they did not remove the virus they installed from my computer. No sooner had I hit the "send" button but a reply came back with a link to quickly uninstall the virus. Clearly they had anticipated people demanding that they remove the virus.

The really funny thing is that, while writing this post, perhaps five minutes after doing a google on "Green AV", and coming up with their website in the first five results, this time there is no sign of the Green AV website, but plenty of security warnings about this new type of virul marketing. I sure hope the government gets involved, because this clearly fits the definition of a virus, and they should be fined for each and every computer that has been infected. Create a site for people to add their names to the list of infected, and I imagine that would be the end of this egregious of a disregard for both the letter and intent of the law.

More Ronin-isms & Autumn-isms

2009-08-24T10:49:00.000-07:00

Ronin-isms:

Why is no one not talking to me?

I had a dream and there was a monster and I grabbed my sous gun I shot souses at him until he went away. I was scared.

I went to that store when I was older when I lived in Montreal.

Conversation:
“Mommy, tell me about Africa. “
“Ronin I have never been to Africa. “
“Yes you did. You were with me when I made that penguin costume for Halloween!”

Autumn can count to 10. She seings the ABC and knows more of the letters. She lvoes to say Mommy Daddy Ronin Baby and identify the family. She says "Ronin where are you? I coming!" Ronin is her favorite. She loves to swim and asks to "go swimming? In water?" I can submerge her and she loves it!

Ronin-isms

2009-08-03T09:49:00.000-07:00

Ronin and I have these great conversations lately.

He tells me about what Montreal was like when he was a baby studying Japanese.

Or how pirates are not bad people because they are kids and sometimes kids do bad things by accident.

Or how Leno the cat is his best friend and that he would like her to come with us in the car so she can stick her head out the window – since dogs like to do that. He knows since he has seen it.

Sometimes he wants to give baby Autumn a treat, like his Strawberry snacks but cannot since it is a “potty food” and you only get to eat “potty food” if you are potty trained.

Or when he eats a piece of bologna and rolls it up … he asks if Poppa Mike eats his bologna that way as well? And we say yes he does. Ronin says, “I know that is how it is done!”

Meh Meh

2009-06-22T06:37:00.000-07:00

One day I was running a bath for Ronin. He comes in looks at the bath and says in the smallest sweetest voice, "Is that my pond?"
And I said "Are you a creature that lives in a pond?"
And he says in a sqeaky little voice "Yes and I need to back to my home."
I said, "as soon as the water is ready you can."
And he says "Meh Meh"
and I said, "are you a Meh Meh creature?"
And he said, "Meh Meh"
and I said "Meh Meh" and he turns around and sticks out his tushy and says, "Do you want to see my tail?"
And I said "YES!"

So whenever Ronin is feeling super loving, cozy, and affectionate he will turn to me and say "Meh Meh" and I know exactly what he needs. A hug and kiss from his Mama.

Updates at last

2009-06-02T13:12:00.001-07:00

It has been too long. They both do so much. Ronin says to me,
"Mommy I have a new freckle on my hand. The sun gave it to me for you to love." Where does he come up with this?

Or last night he says, "Sometimes kids can tell their mommies that they don't like something their mommies made." And I said, "Yes you can always tell me. What don't you like?" And he says, "Your Macaroni and Cheese isn't good." Okay. "I love your chili mommy."

And then there is Autumn. Who says "READY! GO!" And races down the hallway. Or starts to dress Elmo (Melmo) and tells him to "sit down" and "shirt." She runs to get her "shoes" and wants to go "outside" and play nonestop with "chalk" and "balls" and to see the "flowies" even though she can says "flower". She is stubborn and passionate. She raised her hand to me yesterday when she wanted more blueberries and stomped her foot. Not being able to hold her Elmo while she eats is a great offense.

And Ronin loves her although I see more jealousy. He wants to hide her Elmo from time to time. But if she is crying he will "read her a story or sing her a song" to help calm her down.

She adores Ronin the most. He is her favorite person in the world.

Update on Autumn

2009-04-16T07:31:00.000-07:00

Autumn speaks nonstop. She is so loud. She is 100% my daughter.

She laughs easily. She thinks Ronin is hilarious. She loves to cuddle with her stuffed animals. She plays with them and tells them to “sit down.” She will move her stuffed animals all around the house. When she wakes in the morning she will hand me toys to take with me when I take her. She loves her brown bear, pink elephant, grey elephant, 2 ducks, Ronin’s cat and horse. She wants to sleep with all her toys all the time. She asks for her bottle by name (there is no need for ba-ba here.) She loves all animals and calls all 4-legged furies Leno (even Spike to his dismay.) She loves Elmo and calls him Melmo. She is physical just like Ronin but she possesses true problem solving skills. She will assess a situation and then focus really hard and on the task at hand and then complete it. She loves to dance and when she hears music she spins around and says “dancing”. She now raises her hands in the air to try to snap her fingers.

She can say cow and moo, horse and neigh, cat and meow. Sometimes she seems to speak full sentences like “can I have that?” “what is that?” “where is my bear?” She can say monkey, bear, out, car, nose, belly, shoe, Vovo, Daddy, Mama, Maimee (which seems to be my nickname,) sousy (pacifier) when referring to Ronin, hi, goodbye, wanna, no wanna and so much more. She knows where her belly and nose are. She tries to dress herself now (this must be hard-wired for us women.) In the bath last night she took these rings for the dolphins to sit in and placed them on her wrists like bracelets. She is stubborn and assertive and so VERY cute.

New expressions from Ronin and Autumn

2009-02-12T08:59:00.001-08:00

Autumn:

She can now say Duck, Yeah, Yuck, Cat, Sit down, Quack, Shoe, Oy Vey, No!, What's that? and That! She points to everything and says that! that! until someone gives it to her. She loves her stuffed animals and loves to cuddle with them and her brother. Ronin makes Autumn laugh the most!

Ronin:

The other day we were trying to get Ronin to take off his clothese for a bath and he was feeling particulary stubborn and he said, "I am a man and I say No!"

I am still laughing about that one!

Ronin gets his first haircut

2009-01-26T07:46:00.001-08:00

I had such a wonderful weekend. I went to sleep last night exhausted and fully satisfied that our family time this weekend was great and that everyone was happy.

Sunday morning started off with Ronin jumping around full of energy. Sean left early to see a student and I made the kids’ breakfast. Ronin ate a banana, a bagel with cream cheese and a golden apple. Autumn ate fruit and oatmeal and milk and apple juice. After I finished feeding Autumn, Ronin wanted me to read him a Diego story “on my lap.” Ronin climbed up on me and sat down on my left leg. Autumn saw this and cried. I told her to come over and she said “over” and walked to me. She climbed up and sat down on my right knee. I was covered and children and felt complete. I am a GREAT mommy and I enjoyed it fully. All the snuggling is rewarding. We read a story and Autumn rolled all over me. She finally settled against my chest, behind Ronin’s head where she sucked on her thumb and twirled Ronin’s hair. He didn’t mind at all. After the story was over, Ronin wanted a second and a third story. I wanted him to feel important so I made sure that I gave him special attention. I told Autumn that right now is story time for Ronin so she had to wait. “Yes Mama I patience daddy tell me,” and I said “Yes Ronin I see that you are being patient and now Autumn is learning too!” After the stories Ronin took Autumn’s grocery cart and played with his Thomas train. Autumn and I played with Ronin’s Dora and Diego dolls and I turned off the TV and played Sean’s new AM Gold compilation as we thought that Autumn would enjoy the music. And there was dancing by all!!

After about 20 minutes, Ronin asked us to turn off the music and “make it quiet as Thomas was sleeping!” So we all ENJOYED the silence for about twenty minutes and the only sounds we all heard were Autumn saying, “Wow” and “Yeah” and her famous “Takei!! Takei!!” We all want to know what that means.

I looked at the time I realized that I wanted to get us going in about forty-five minutes so I asked Ronin if he would like a yogurt. He said, “with fresh blueberries please” this was my cue. I made Ronin his yogurt and he said, “okay Mama we have to be quiet, Thomas is sleeping, and when he say beep-beep I know he is awake.” While we are in the kitchen, Ronin said “beep-beep Thomas is awake now.” I said “okay Ronin what do you want to do with your yogurt?” And then he sries from the kitchen “Thomas I hear you. It’s okay. Don’t worry, I come and get you after I finish my yogurt. Okay?” It was very cute. It showed me that he does listen to everything Sean and I say and he totally internalizes it. While Ronin ate his yogurt, Autumn had some blueberries and I bundled the kids up and tossed them into the car to go see Vovo and get Ronin his first BIG BOY haircut at 3 years old.

The road trip was fairly uneventful which was great. Autumn passed out after about 20 minutes and Ronin played his car toy that Nanna Julie and Grandpa Tim bought him that helps him read stories from Leapfrog. Midpoint along the way Ronin took off his sneakers and wanted me to put them back on – which I informed him I couldn’t accomplish while driving and he bought the excuse and we traveled on.

We picked up my mom who came fully supplied with toys and snacks for the kids and off we went to the Scarsdale village to Happy Kids Haircuts. Ronin walked and greeted everyone. There was another family there but the stylist too Ronin right away. He sat in an old fashioned fire engine and watched an episode of Dora on the Mickey Mouse television set. He was thrilled and enjoyed the entire experience. I took pictures and video and documented the event. Ronin then told us that he was ready for Pizza. So off the Italian Village we went.

Ronin was a total delight and drank two apple and grape juice boxes and ate his pizza. Vovo gave me him a new toy Thomas train named Annabelle(?). He must have dropped the train on the floor like fifteen times over a thirty minutes. Autumn kept grabbing at his pizza while I fed her apples, bananas and squash (as she is a tad blocked up.) She also tossed her milk all around and made a mess but my mom and I laughed and laughed and had a great time with the kids. Ronin hugged and kissed my mom several times and told her every story he could think of while he had her as a captivated audience.

The ride home was quick and easy and when we got back I tossed Autumn up for a nap (she slept for 3 hours!) and Ronin went up for a nap after he ate another golden apple and blueberry fruit bar.

Sean and I woke the kids at 4:30pm. We played some more and enjoyed every minute out of our weekend. The kids bathed together and laughed and splashed. And I slept soundly.

Conversations with a 3 year old

2009-01-13T06:53:00.000-08:00

“Mama can you talk to me?" Says Ronin as I am tucking him into bed on Saturday night.
“Sure, baby – what do you want to talk about?” Ronin then stands up, climbs out of his bed and sits on the rocking chair.
"Mama, I drinking water in my chair."
"Yes I see that."
“Mama I talk to you about my big boy bed.”
“Do you like your big boy bed, Ronin?”
“I love my bed, Mama. Let’s buy Vovo a big boy bed – just like mine.”
“You think she would like that?”
“I think so!” (His new expression he says all the time when he is in agreement. “But not with a Thomas blanket. Vovo no like that like Ronin. We use pictures from the party and make a new blanket for her and Baby Autumn and Mommy and Daddy. New pictures for everyone.”
“I think that sounds nice Ronin.”
“Yes I am nice and I share with baby Autumn.”

Ronin's 3rd Birthday Party

2009-01-06T13:02:00.001-08:00

Ronin had his 3rd birthday party at Tumble Bugs in Scarsdale, NY. He was so excited that he barely slept the night before. We arrived there at 11:30am (party for 12noon) and he danced around the room waiting “to tumble MAMA. I need to tumble.” Trying to keep him in the waiting area as the previous party wrapped up was quite the feat on Sean’s behalf. Autumn was super good chilling in her stroller as she was still riding the waves of a cold and on Amoxicillin (although fever free for 2 days.) The first two people to arrive were my mom and Celina. Ronin ran over to his “VOVO and Celina are here for my party MAMA. They come for me.”

A side note: Ronin has just started calling me MAMA again as that is what Autumn calls me and there seems to be a slight vying for power going on between to the two of them.)

Two more children arrived from Ronin’s school and we call headed towards the gym to start the fun. My mom waited for all the other children and friends and directed them into the party area.

Ronin couldn’t have been happier. Seriously. “MAMA I am so happy. I love you and daddy and Vovo and Baby Autumn and Celina so much. Are you happy too?” Ronin loved the slide, the trampoline, the rings, and the mats “the most!” About 20 minutes into the party all the kids sat in a circle and said their names and ages. Ronin pointed out his sister and his Vovo and loved holding court in the middle of the circle. When everyone wished him happy birthday he said “Thank you!”

Autumn enjoyed the mats and the trampoline and she danced whenever she could keep her balance. I had Celina there to help her out as she was still getting over her cold and I wanted to make sure she didn’t mix too much with all the other children and germs. I also wanted to make sure I could take pictures and video. I have a lot of pictures and video to share.

Towards the end of the party Ronin disappeared into the party room to eat some pizza as he was “very hungry, MAMA, I have the growlies in my belly.” He also loved the Thomas the Train cake and the rings that Vovo picked out for all the kids.

Ronin's 3rd Birthday Party

2009-01-06T13:02:00.000-08:00

Pumpkin Chocolate

2009-01-05T12:12:00.001-08:00

Pumpkin Chocolate (pronounce Chocolate with a Spanish accent). This has become a character in Ronin mind who helps him take baths – someone who likes to bake and play with his trains – a confident who has a head of a pumpkin and loves blueberry cakes. I think this is Ronin’s new imaginary friend.

Ronin’s imagination has taken off. There are dragons in the closet and we have to use the Monster-Be-Gone and sing the song to ensure that no monsters (dragons, trolls, and monsters) can escape his closet. This has become increasingly tiresome as Ronin has transitioned to the big-boy bed where he gets up at will and either hovers over me (where I can hear him sucking on a sous) at 4am waiting for everyone to wake up and play with him. Or he presses his soft little warm hand on my shoulder and whispers, “mommy I awake now.” Sometimes I find his asleep on the floor next to me. Then there is the play for me to join him in his bed and he promises to go back to sleep but he never does. So I am now researching gates for his door. A woman has to sleep.

First words and steps

2008-12-11T11:13:00.000-08:00

Autumn can say Duck, No NO!!, Yeah, Oh no! and Ah Oh!

Today she said: Cow, Bear, Belly, Bird

I have been reading her Moo Baa La La La and Brown Bear Brown Bear endlessly ..

Autumn is learning how to walk .. she took three steps at mom’s and Sean said he saw her take 2 steps yesterday. Now I will have to conform this but I will be home with her tomorrow – so there will be an update shortly.

I told Sean months ago that she would walk by 13 - 14 months and it looks like Mama was right on target!

My turkey was delicious!

2008-12-01T11:26:00.000-08:00

I went over to moms early to cook our Thanksgiving feast. I arrived around 10am with my special mushroom and red pepper stuffing, potato salad, and my little girl. Ronin was very upset to be left home with Sean but we explained to him that since he refuses to nap at my mom's (Vovo's) he could come over after his nap. Ronin woke up Tday morning "not feeling well in his belly" so we all thought a good nap was definitely in order. Autumn and I played as my mom "came to herself" having stayed up late to "prep" the turkey. I prepped the bird and sewed her shut and popped her in the over by 11:30am. I had already tossed Autumn into the crib by 11am and she babbled at us for almost an hour.

She now says "catcatcat", "quack duck", "no no!", "oh no!", "ah oh", "hi", "bye" and Sean heard, "what's that?" and "hi daddy." She can also wave hi and bye now and when you say "come" she says "ca-ca" and moves her hands.

I cooked and cooked and helped mom place all her bills online. Then Autumn woke up around 2pm. We fed her avocado and yogurt and I made he string beans and mashed potatoes. The turkey came out around 3:30pm and I immediately went to work on the gravy. It was much better this year. We had a lovely Tday. Ronin told us all that he was grateful for "milk, apple juice, his baby almond, and his trains." He ate his turkey in about 3 minutes w/ ketchup. And he loved the pumpkin and blueberry pies. Autumn ate double fisted - turkey in one hand and stuffing in the other. She loved the food and giggled the entire meal. Then the kids played some more and we brought them home in their PJs.

Verbal updates

2008-10-24T08:31:00.001-07:00

When we read “Blue Hat Yellow Hat” Ronin likes to explain why there are OOPS in the pictures. He now says “because the turkey has socks on her hands. Socks are for feet!” He also explained to Autumn this morning, “Baby Almond you have to wear coat because it is cold outside. You need to listen to mommy – she knows!” he also let her lick cream cheese off his finger because “she likes Ronin feeding her.” When Autumn dropped the remote this morning there was a very small “a oh!” followed by a giggle. Autumn can also saw “quack quack” and “duck” and “oh no!” She has also started to wave hello (which is great.) And she can now stand by herself and has her first pair of shows (size: 4 narrow) Ronin is very excited by this “because now baby Almond can walk and play with Ronin!”

October 2008 - Poppa Mike and Nanna Julie Weekend

2008-10-13T12:34:00.000-07:00

Saturday morning 7am:

Ronin: I awake now? Mommy! Daddy! Come get from my crib. I awake now.
Sean: Good morning Ronin!
Ronin: Where Poppa Mike and Nanna Julie?

And so began the weekend. Poppa Mike and Nanna Julie came to visit us this weekend. “They come from Canada.” Ronin says. I come from Canada too!” Well not quite little man – Mama made you American but you are half Canuck! What an amazing time the kids had. Ronin and I picked up Poppa Mike and Nanna Julie “from the train. Nanna Julie sit next to me in the car seat. Poppa Mike sit next to Mommy!” When I brought them home – Sean was visible excited to see his dad again. Autumn too one look at them and watched every movement they made. After about ½ hour of Julie playing on the floor with Ronin – Autumn approached and sat in front of Julie. An hour later Autumn reached out and placed her hand of Julie’s thigh to stand up. She stood – giggled and crawled back across the room to me. She also found a puff on the table and reached out for it – placed it in her mouth and didn’t realize that she was standing on her own for about 3 seconds. She also placed one hand on the couch, looked at me, and took a step towards me and plopped to the floor. My baby girl is trying to learn to stand and walk.

Ronin immediately brought out his crayons and asked Poppa Mike to make trains! Then Ronin ran around showing Mike and Julie all of his toys. After we placed Autumn upstairs for a nap Ronin, Poppa Mike and Sean went downstairs to the basement to play some more. Julie and I went out to get last minute BBQ supplies. The BBQ was a great success and when it over Ronin wanted “Poppa Mike to see the berries. I pick the berries and I feed them to the birds.” So they all went for a walk around our complex and I fed Autumn quietly inside. Upon their return Ronin wished everyone a good nap and went upstairs to sleep. As soon as he awoke the fun continued and we all headed out to Fiesta Mexicana – the boys went to Home Depot and the girls got the table at the restaurant. Unfortunately Ronin had a Stage CRAZY tantrum and Sean took him right home – no restaurant and when Mike arrived we decided to order the food to go. Then we all spent some more time and the kids went to bed quite late.

Sunday morning 6:30am:

Ronin: I awake now? Mommy! Daddy! Come get from my crib. I awake now.
Nanna Julie and Mike: Good morning Ronin!
Ronin: We go play now? Come play with me.

On Sunday morning Ronin and I always go to swimming class. This time Poppa Mike and Nanna Julie joined us so they could see Ronin in action! They loved watching him and Ronin loved putting on a show and waving to them. Tons of pictures. Ronin swam underwater again, went down a slide and into the water, balanced on the red platform and floated on his back to “twinkle twinkle little star.” After swim class was over we all walked to the bagel store and got bagels for the family. Ronin loved showing Poppa Mike and Nanna Julie the outside of his classroom (as it is two doors down from Wings over Water.) Once we arrived home my mom called and said she was on her way. We had another great BBQ and Ronin was having the time of his life with his grandparents. Autumn at one point gestured to Julie and crawled right over and climbed up on her showing off her new 7th tooth. After her morning nap, we all headed out to the Fireman’s carnival held at Brewster Volunteer Fire Dept. Ronin loved it! He went into a school bus, climbed into an ambulance and got a new stuffed animal that he helped place a bandage on, climbed up on a Fire truck, held a fire hose, and sat inside a helicopter (which I think he loved the most!) By the time we got home Ronin was over 2 hours past his nap time and so exhausted we had to carry him to bed. He said goodnight to everyone and didn’t realize that they wouldn’t be there when he awoke. We explained it but it didn’t click.

Sunday 4:30pm

Candi: Hi Ronin are you awake now?
Ronin (groggy): Hi Mommy, where Daddy and Poppa Mike?
Candi: Daddy drove Poppa Mike and Nanna Julie back to the airport. They went home to Canada.
Ronin (crying): Why? They come and live here with Ronin, Mommy, Daddy, baby Almond, and Vovo (my mom.)

And we had a great night together, Ronin, Autumn and I. Everyone ate dinner and watched some Little Bear. Both kids were fed in peace, bathed and placed into bed by 7:30pm.

It was a GREAT weekend!

Autumn 10 month update

2008-09-23T10:17:00.000-07:00

Autumn is doing great and a sweet precious little laughter. She loves to laugh at everyone and makes herself laugh out loud all the time. She can eat Cheerios and American Cheese and I just started her off on mini-ravioli (carrot and cheese) which she LOVES. She is cruising but still nowhere close to walking (Sean disagrees with me on this one.) I say it will take her another month + to make that happen on her little narrow feet. She is now 31 inches tall which is off the chart in height(2 inches taller than Ronin at the same age) and 18.14 lbs - 50% (2 lbs lighter than Ronin.)

Continued potty-training fun

2008-09-19T11:18:00.001-07:00

So last night Ronin takes off his diaper and goes into my bathroom. I hear "Oh no oh no oh no. Mama I'm a peein'! I'm a peein on the floor. MOMMY!" I run in and see a drop on the floor because once he sees he is doing it - the peeing stops because he scares himself. I explain that it is okay. He is learning to feel the peein' feeling. "Mommy I have accident. My penis is spillin'. I'm a peein' and a spillin'." I pissed myself with laughter.

A day at Grandma's

2008-09-10T12:43:00.001-07:00

Ronin and Autumn spent the day at my mom’s yesterday. Ronin was so excited that when he woke up in the morning he told us to wake up Autumn so they could head on over. As soon as they arrived Celina (the Nanny) carried Ronin into the house. Of course he would walk but she hasn’t seen him for quite some time so I think she wanted to make sure to get some extra squeezes in. Once inside Ronin proceeded to eat my mother out of house and home - breakfast was a bowl of Cheerioes (that he wanted to share with his sister,) a banana and a fruit bar. An hour later he has a juice box and fish crackers. Then lunch was pizza and red grapes and another snack of bagel cream cheese and water. By the time he came home – his belly was sticking so far out he said “Ronin ate too much at Vovo’s.”

Ronin and Autumn crawled all over her kitchen floor and played outside until the “tunder and lightening came” since there was a big storm Ronin had to ensure Autumn’s safety and told everyone to “come inside and be careful of baby Almond.” At one point I think my mom stepped on Autumn finger and when she cried – Ronin ran over and said, “not nice Vovo. Must be careful of baby Almond. She little.” Mom apologized and all was well again. Ronin walked Spike with Mom outside and then found Mom’s stash of holiday toys. He proceeded to take them out one by one and tell my mom that he needed all 4 – one for daddy, one for mommy, one for baby Almond and one for Ronin.” If he left any behind then “they would cry” and “all toys should be together.” Autumn went off for her nap per usual and Ronin rested on the couch with a pillow, a blanket and a curious George to cuddle. When Sean picked the kids up they didn’t want to come home.

When I came home - Ronin says "what I have for you?" Which means "what do you have for me?"

He takes my purse off the counter and looks inside. “I see books for you!” We had to immediately sit on the kitchen floor and read If a Pig has a Party. He loved it! I definitely need the 3rd in the series. Now Ronin is telling everyone that he is having a party for his birthday and he loves balloons. "I love balloons, love balloons, I love love love balloons. And cake!" That is his new song. He wasn't so thrilled with the other book about Mickey (confused that the character wasn't a mouse) and was afraid and thought that since Mickey was baked into a cake he would be hurt in the oven. "That is scary mommy!" I am loving the complex thinking going on inside of Ronin’s head.

Autumn milestone:
September 9, 2008 – Autumn stood up. She didn’t use any other object to stand. She just stood up on mom’s patio in order to get some more attention from mom, Celina and Ronin.

Cruising and swim class for Ronin

2008-09-08T13:14:00.001-07:00

Autumn

Autumn is now actively cruising the couch and on Saturday she pivoted her foot and stood by herself for about 5 seconds. Then she realized what she was doing and instantly sat down on her bum. She smiled and giggled and crawled as fast as she could over to me and started jabbering. She was clearing telling me what she had just done and wanted to know if I had witnessed it. I told her yes and she seemed thrilled.

Ronin

Ronin and I started Advanced Parent and tot class at Wings Over Water. Ronin loved it. We started with him sitting on the wall and waiting for me to tell him to jump in. He listened well and told everyone in the class that he “listened with his ears.” There was two children in the class older then him and two children who were younger. Ronin sang the ABCs for everyone and applauded himself with gusto. Ronin also blew bubbles in the water and even went underneath the water 2x. There was one actively that was clearly his favorite – they asked each child to climb onto a red mat that was floating in the water. Ronin climbed and stood up and walked across the suspended mat. He asked to hold my hand and when he got to the end – I told him to wait and he said, “mommy I wait for you” and then I told him to jump. He jumped with all the glee a little man of 2-1/2 can muster and I caught him in the water. After swim class Ronin and I went out for breakfast where he ordered “a bagel cream cheese and a red cookie.” He also told the waitress, “I thirsty but I have a juice box. It’s okay.” When we got home he told daddy “I went to swim class and had a lot of fun. I jumped and played and splashed in the water.” When I asked him if he wanted to go back he said “YES, we go for mommy-Ronin time. Special fun!”

Yellow Submarine and Praying Mantis

2008-09-02T08:53:00.000-07:00

We all live in The Yellow Submarine. Sean and I exposed Ronin to this Beatles classic. We were a tad concerned about how Ronin would respond to the blue meanies but he was so enthralled – he watched the entire movie. We had to replay All Together Now about 6 times and Ronin learned the words quickly so he could join in the singing. Ronin jumped up and danced to Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds and Autumn couldn’t take her eyes off her brother.

Labor Day Weekend was packed with “a lot of fun!” We went swimming in the deep end of the pool with a white and orange beach ball, played in the local playground and created a pirate ship and pirate treasure that we had to steal back from the piggie pirates, collected berries from trees “that are not to eat. Berries make tummy hurt!” We had to remind Ronin of this so he wouldn’t eat the berries. After his bucket had a good supply – he would go traipsing off to “feed the birds the berries!” Ronin also enjoyed going “grocery shopping with daddy to buy snacks and mangos!” And then there was the praying mantis. On Monday morning when I took Autumn out for a stroll (she squeaked as soon as she saw the stroller – she LOVES to be outside) a praying mantis fell down on our doorstep. I immediately called the boys and told them to come and see it. It was well over 12 inches long and very cool. It appeared to have decided that it wanted to live on our doorstep and stayed there all day. Last night before Ronin went to sleep – we all say goodnight to the praying mantis and wished him well finding his home that night in the dark. Ronin wanted to have him come inside and live in “Ronin’s house” but we told him he preferred it outside with the other bugs ‘like caterpillars, centipedes and spiders.”

Talking side-bar: Ronin is talking nonstop. He likes to sing “How much is that doggy in the window, twinkle twinkle little star, ABCs, and wheels on the bus.” He counts to 10 all the time and it now working on 10-17. Sometimes he still thinks his forehead is a neck and visa-versa but that will change soon. He is also listening much better now and crying less and likes to do things “MYSELF! (like take off his sneakers, shorts and diaper and “throw the yucky diaper away in the garbage.” He also said, “Mommy, go sit on the blue chair with Leno.” And “Mommy, make baby almond happy, she cry now. She is hungry and needs a bottle of milk!” These are top sentences and we couldn’t be more thrilled.

Back at the playground …Autumn got to swing in a baby swing that she loved once I would kiss her forehead every time she came my way. She also loved to crawl in the tall grass and squeal at puppies that came by to say hello. Autumn is deeply attached to Ronin and wants to touch and play with him nonstop. Once he has had enough he says, “baby Almond, now it time to leave Ronin alone!” So we try to separate him from her to give him a small break every now and again. Autumn is now cruising along the couch and eating cheerios and puffs that were once solely Ronin’s. She can also say mama and dada and some sound that is specifically for cat. She also expresses certain interest in different stuffed animals and shows a preference to ducks.

Potty training?

2008-08-26T13:42:00.000-07:00

Ronin loves his potty. He will carry it all over the house. The "books" say that is okay. On Saturday Ronin was wearing his swim tunks and started peeing on the floor. He realized and said, "oh no I spill from my penis!" I said, "are you peeing Ronin?" He said yes!! I need paper towels FAST!" That was the 2nd endevour in potty training. Over a month ago he did aim for the bowl!

August 2, 2008 - Aquarium fun

2008-08-18T07:28:00.000-07:00

The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk was beautiful. Sean and I took the kids there because Ronin is obsessed with the Ocean book I got him. He also loves Diego and seems enamored of sea turtles and dolphins and now rainforests. We got there in under an hour and most of the trip was spent on US7 going south. We passed a lot of towns in CT that were established in the 1700 and 1800’s. Ronin was great the entire way and so excited to go to the Aquarium.

Once we got there Ronin could barely contain himself. We saw the seals being fed and ran around after them both inside and outside. Sean and Ronin touched cow-nosed sting rays in a pool. Ronin kept telling us how he was (“all wet on the hands!”). Ronin also saw a white alligator (1 of 44 in the world.) Ronin played in their play gym (as did Autumn who loved the mats) and Ronin investigated the African exhibit that was (“very dark and scary.”) Ronin made sure that “baby almond” was always around and could see the various fishes in the tanks. He loved the poisonous frog exhibit and liked placing the step-stool under the tanks so he could step up and see (“I want to see!”). He loved to the press the button on the barking frogs exhibit and pretended he was a frog by jumping and barking (“See mommy Ronin is a frog. Jump, I’m jumping Mommy. Ribbit Ribbit.) At the end Autumn and I got lost in a long dark room that housed various sea turtles, string rays and jelly fish. Ronin loved the 240 lbs sea turtle and asked him (“Come play with me turtle. I be gentle.”) Ronin also liked how the jelly fish glowed in the dark. (“like stars!”) We took tons of pictures and had to drag the kids out of there. On the way home Ronin exclaimed, “Ronin is HUNGRY. I need a hot dog.!” So we pulled out in Branchville at Dexter’s Dogs and Sean and Ronin had hot dogs and French fries on a picnic bench and mommy and Autumn stayed in the car because Autumn had finally cried herself to sleep.

After we retuned home from the Aquarium Ronin told us how much fun he had (Mommy, I had a lot of fun!”) and decided we might look into a membership as it would be more cost effective! Ronin told all his friends at school about the Aquarium and the turtles we saw.

Updates on Autumn at 8-1/2 months

2008-07-30T06:50:00.000-07:00

Autumn now has 6 teeth and loves to chew on Ronin’s sous’. When she does this Ronin says, “oh no, baby Almond spit up on Ronin’s sous!” But he doesn’t take it away from her. Now if she was chewing on a Thomas train – he would snatch that out of her hand in a moment! So far she doesn’t cry when he takes a toy away. But I think that will happen soon.

Autumn is also crawling across the house in record time. She is all over the place and will follow you whenever you go. But of you suddenly turn around and step over her she will cry – as she is feeling left out. She calls me “mama” all the time and gets excited when she sees Sean, Ronin, the cats and my mom’s dog Spike. She loves Spike. She pulled herself up to a standing position yesterday, with the aid of the couch, to see Leno, the cat walking around.

Yesterday I had Autumn drink out of a sippy cup yesterday. She found the water to be quite refreshing. She is also bathing in the duck bath as she has grown too big for the baby bath. I bought her a few feminine ducks to play with in the bath and she loves them. She splashes and plays in the water and loves bathing. Just like Ronin. Thank G-d they both take after me that way and not Sean (he bathes of course but hates to play in water!) When I pour water over her head she opens her mouth and sticks ou her cute little pink tongue. I think to drink the water. She laughs whenever she splashes herself. She is a very happy and content baby. She makes it easy.

A conversation with a 2-1/2 year old

2008-07-28T13:11:00.001-07:00

The Gillhoolley’s visited my mom on Saturday. She is called “Vovo” a derivation of Grandma is Portuguese. We all had a lovely time. Unfortunately Autumn missed most of it while she was taking a nap. But Ronin and his mommy played and played in the sun and water. Ronin dumped buckets of water on me and I sprayed him with the hose. Much enjoyment was had by all. After we played I made a BBQ of hot dogs and hamburgers. Ronin filled up on pasta and potato salad and loved his hot dog with ketchup. When it came time to go, Ronin cried as he loves his Vovo and hates when we leave her.

Ronin: “Vovo you sit here (points to passenger front seat.) You come home. To Ronin’s.”
Vovo: “Ronin, I love you.”
Ronin: Looking at me, “I love her (pointing to Vovo.)”
Vovo: “Ronin I love you too!”
Ronin: “The most?”

It was very sweet. They have a lovely relationship. Once we got home we put Ronin to sleep. He never napped but played quietly in his crib for a long time. After the “nap” Ronin came downstairs and started to play with his toys. Autumn crawled over and was interested in everything Ronin touched. Once she grabbed his Ivo Hugh (a Thomas train) and placed it into her mouth …

Ronin: “No baby Almond. My toy. Ronin’s train. No spit-up on Ivo!”
Candi: “Ronin, she didn’t mean to. She loves you and wants to play with you.”
Ronin: “NO Ivo for baby Almond!” He then proceeds to gather a few toys, place them in his tambourine and says ..” I go to Vovos!”
Sean: “How will you get to Vovo’s?”
Ronin: “I take blue car. I drive. Not Gold car .. too small. I drive blue car to Vovo’s now.”
Sean: “But Ronin you cannot drive without a license.”
Ronin (looking confused): “I drive to Vovo’s. I use wheel and turn around.” Then he walks to the door and puts on his car slip-on shoes. “Ronin has shoes on. I go outside and go see Vovo in car.”
Sean” Ronin you do not know how to drive.”
Ronin: “I drive.” He then extends his arm to Sean and says: “need keys!”

Mid July updates on the kids

2008-07-16T13:40:00.000-07:00

Saturday July 12th: Autumn crawled for the first time.

New expressions of Ronin’s:

“What’s happennnning?” Usually said when I come home from work and Ronin wants to distract me in the kitchen so I will play only with him and ignore his baby sister Autumn.

“I do that MYSELF!” This is a new one.

“I don’t like that!” When he tastes Autumn’s baby food and decides that he doesn’t like it and wants me to open up a bananas or pear baby food so he can eat that himself. Hence, “I do that MYSELF!”

“Be careful!” I clearly say this too often.

“Watch out!” Ronin says this as Autumn is on the floor crawling and he wants to get around her or walk over her without actually stepping on her.

“Baby Almond.” Ronin used to call her Baby Au-tum but now it is baby almond. That is her new name and I think it might stick for the rest of her life.

Same Face: Candace 2.0

2008-07-09T05:39:00.000-07:00

I always thought my daughter looked liked me. I have been calling her the upgrade: Candace 2.0. She is me but prettier. My mom found this picture of me and I showed it to Sean and told him that mom had framed a picture of Autumn. He looked at it and wondered when it was taken. I said 1974.

A Weekend of 1sts

2008-06-23T09:41:00.001-07:00

The weekend was a weekend of first for the Gillhoolley’s.

On Friday June 20, 2008:
Autumn 3rd tooth presented itself on the upper right hand side. She also smacked her lips when I kissed her and we played kissy all weekend long. She giggles when she kisses because I think she loves the back and forth interaction.

On Saturday June 21, 2008:
Ronin got his first freckle on his left hand. He also told us that “Ronin not a monkey!” And “I said NO!”

On Sunday June 22, 2008:
Autumn sat unassisted for more than 10 seconds, she rolled back and forth effortlessly and around 6pm got up on all fours for the first time in preparation to crawl. She then proceeded to flop over and roll out of the crawl while smiling.

On Monday June 23, 2008:
Autumn said “mamammamam” for the first time.

One Face

2008-06-11T10:09:00.000-07:00

My mom found my dad's naturalization papers and when Sean and I saw this we were mesmerized by the fact that my dad and Ronin have the same lips. I always knew that I looked my dad and Ronin has my lips, cheeks, and chin but here is the PROOF.

Ronin's Hernia Operation

2008-06-10T06:59:00.000-07:00

He was good when we got there. Said "Ronin seeing doctor today at hospital" and was good until the scheduled time. Then there was a delay as the OR was too warm. Then he started running around the recovery room - huge room - big circle - and Sean was chasing him around. He kept saying "I'm running!" The nurses thought he was adorable and we tried to keep him occupied w/ trains and movies. When he saw Sean in scrubs he lost it completely. He told Sean to "take off clothes - no like - NOT nice!" Sean carried him into the OR and held him as he was sedated. Which took like 3 minutes as when a child cries the anesthesia is inhaled faster. They said the surgery takes 8 minutes and we should see in 45minutes. Longer if he wakes peacefully and then goes right to sleep but IMMEDIETELY if he wakes up thrashing - which is typical as kids do not understand why they feel weird and are confused and the body was a weird reaction to anesthesia. I heard a baby cry MOMMY and not a moment later the nurses were coming to get us. We ran to Ronin and Sean jumped into a chair to hold and soothe him until he fell back asleep (which is what you want as that helps the drugs dissipate in his little body.) I gave him a sous and he fell asleep. He woke up an hour later and we took him home. He threw up in the car a few times (apple juice) as his tummy was sensitive. But once he was home again and we were all there – he was much happier. This morning, he is tired and sore and we are keeping him medicated on Motrin and Tylenol. Sean is with him today. Mom or I will have him tomorrow and same on Thursday and Sean on Friday. He is about 50% Ronin now and is "itchy" but when we left the hospital he said "Goodbye Doctor. See you later!" He is precious! Truly. Thank G-d it is today and not yesterday.

Jam packed Weekend

2008-06-02T08:54:00.001-07:00

Saturday
While Ronin’s Godmom, Nikki took Candi to see Sex and The City Sean watched the kids – as a belated mom’s day gift. It was awesome and inspired and appreciated (the gift AND the movie!) When we returned and woke up the kids we prepared a BBQ feast for Nikki and the family. Ronin enjoyed his corn on the cob and chicken and KETCHUP (that would be Sean’s doing) and he loved the new trains that Nikki bought him. It was the first time Ronin has even shown shyness but within a moment’s time he was loving on Nikki and loving the new TRAINS!! When it was time for her to go home Sean scooped him up and brought her to the train station and was very happy that she got to be on a train – which can be a major event for Ronin.

Sunday
We took a family trip to the Bronx Zoo. This was the first time I have been to Zoo since I was pregnant with Autumn. The walking was quite difficult and S.L.O.W but I did it! We walked for at least two hours and Ronin said he wanted to see monkeys and lions. We also saw seals, bison, baboons, butterflies, deer, a bear (on top of a rock which was cool,) chipmunks, and peacocks. We had just hit the African exhibit to see the giraffes (at Ronin’s request) but then he wanted to get FOOD (hot dog) and head back home as he was tired and Autumn was exhausted. After his nap he played some more with his trains and Sean and Ronin watched all kinds of great trains on Utube.

It was a great weekend, filled with laughter and fun and Sean and I are thoroughly exhausted but great parents! Which I now understand makes my life complete.

M-Day, Memorial Day, Updates on Kids

2008-05-30T12:40:00.001-07:00

A lot has been going on … Ronin can say “I saw a school bus” and “Where is my choo-choo-train?” He can also tell me that his “baby” “needs bottle for a nap!” He likes to kiss her on the head and thinks she is “soft like kitty-cat.” Ronin has become increasingly obsessed with Cars and Trains and now identifies the other kids in his day-care as “friends!” But he calls the train his “best friend” or sometimes “LaQueen” (Lightning McQueen from Cars) as his best friend. “Both!” he will say. He loves chicken and turkey and “beefy-beef” and will ask for food by name. He loves his “fish crack-ers” and wants everything with “apple juice.” The most impressive words are “transporter, refrigerator, and excavator.” He can spot any type of truck on the road and tell you what it is. He calls me “Mommy” now and tells us to wait for him as “I am coming!” He wants everyone with him all the time and hates when Sean and I are not in the car together. He loves his hair to be combed and brushed as well. His favorite animal, Leno, is a big pal of his and he feeds her fish crackers to her. Then he crawls around and moews. He can count to 3 and loves the number 14. He is interested in band-aids and boo-boos but will not let us actually place a band-aid on him as he doesn’t like the “sticky!” “Flowers smell GOOD!” and Poopey diapers are “P.U. or smelly and icky!”

He now says his name – thank G-d!

Now Autumn is the talker. She said “dadadadadadada” and “hihihihihihihi” and now she is working on “aaaaaa”. Sometimes she mixes it up and says “hi-da, hi-da, hi-da, hi-da, hi-da, hi-da, hi-da, hi-da.” She smiles a lot. She also has a sneaky smile and glance that can make you do whatever she wants. She loves her baths and wants constant attention (no surprise there.) She eats with gusto and loves sweet potatoes. She grabs the spoon and won’t let go. She eats all orange, yellow and green vegetables and just started on bananas. She sticks out her tummy when she poops like she is proud of what she has accomplished. And she is just a happy sweet delicious little girl.

Mom’s Day

Sean took Ronin to the Bronx Zoo for a reptile safari and Ronin got to pet a lizard. Sean got some great pictures. Autumn and I had some special mommy daughter time and after the kids naps we had a BBQ with Steve, Tamar and Romy. Ronin and Romy played deliciously together and a good time was had.

Memorial Day

Again another fun packed weekend w/ activities. We went over to my mom’s and played in her backyard (which is now a playground.) We visited Paul who was in town with his wife, Becky to visit Paul’s parents. Got to show off the kids and had a great time.

This weekend we are going to have a BBQ with Godmother Nikki and see Sex and the City (for Nikki and Candi only.) We are also going to play with the kids and on Sunday go to the Bronx Zoo and test out my new walking ability.

Mother's Day Update (more to come)

2008-05-13T12:49:00.001-07:00

Autumn is adorable.
Autumn’s 6th month birthday is today. And her 2nd tooth appeared on Monday May 12th. She has become quite the mouthy squawker but since she sleeps through the night I simply cannot complain. All last week she said “dadadadadadadadada” and this week it seems to be “aaaaaa” but not the sound the letter. And she is preciously cute. But she makes you work for the smiles. Ronin was more mild-mannered at this age. Autumn will make all men work for it. Good Girl.

Ronin is a dreamboat.
Ronin was evaluated yesterday for his speech development. The daycare had noted that he appeared “markedly behind” the other 5 children who were all born within 5 days of him. The process began and while I was in the hospital Sean had the 1st meeting with the coordinator. Six weeks later he was evaluated. And he knocked their socks off. He opened the door with Sean and said “Hello Ladies” and then smiled. They were instantly charmed. The psychologist placed a puzzle in front of him and asked him to look at some circles, squares and triangles. The object was for him to place the pieces in the correct places and to see how long it took him to do this. She couldn’t hand him the pieces fast enough. He then proceeded to whip through these puzzles where placement and reasoning were the key. The doctor handed him a circle and he said Blue circle round and then finished the puzzle in less then a minute. They asked him to point out what turns and he said ME and then turned around. The doctor noted that he understood he was being tested for about 40 mins and he wasn’t bothered by the experience. Sean and I think he liked showing off. They asked us if he “pretend played” and we explained that just yesterday he also handed Leno (the cat) a god fish cracker (which he can say) and she ate it off the floor and then placed one on the floor for himself and then ate it. Then he crawled and meowed. He now says telephone (3 syllables) and we got the first 5 word sentence on Sat - "Cheerios in bowl with milk."

Minor Update

2008-05-05T09:37:00.001-07:00

Autumn just had her 5 month appt at almost 6 months so she was treated like a 6th mother. She is now 27 ½ inches (they measure her 2x as she grew over 2 inches in a month) and she is now 14 lbs 12 oz. If she is lying down on her back she presses her feet down and pushes herself across the room – this is VERY early movement. She also is taller than Ronin was at this age. She is healthy and wonderful and working on her 2nd tooth.

Ronin is doing great and we are waiting to hear about when his hernia surgery is – most likely June.

Tom and Amanda welcomed their 3rd child on May 1, 2008. Zachary joins the clan at 5 lbs 6 oz, 19 inches long. He is a fighter and doing well. He was born a preemie – but at a great weight!

Our first trip to the ER and Autumn update

2008-04-29T11:11:00.001-07:00

We survived our first trip to the ER. At 3:30pm on Sunday Sean woke me up (yes my fabu husband let me take a nap while he handled the kids) saying “call Amanda – Ronin’s left testicle looks weird.” Needless to say Amanda was supportive and calming and said take him to the ER. I had us all packed and in the car – in less than 10 minutes. Putnam County Hospital Center fast-tracked us and treated us very well. Ronin was deeply upset and disturbed but it was scary for him – and all in all – in handled it very well. It has been determined that he most likely has a small hernia and we have a follow-up appt. with his pediatrician tomorrow to confirm. If he will need surgery I will ask Amanda for references as she and Tom have guided me well through the Montefiore process before. When Ronin was undergoing the sonogram he was very upset. Sean had to hold down his legs and I had to hold down his chest as you have to remain very still in order to get an accurate picture of blood flow. I distracted Ronin by talking about Curious George and all the fun things George does as well as kissing and counting his fingers (he loved that!) Thank G-d I remembered to grab many sous (pacifiers) and a red truck for him to play with while we waited in between seeing various doctors. All the while Autumn was charming the staff and occasionally squawking and Ronin wanted to know where his sister (NEW WORD) was at all times.

It was harrowing but we survived and I am sure this will NOT BE the last time we go!

Autumn News: She has cut her first tooth today. Visual confirmation has been obtained by 2 people. It is official. Way to go Autumn

Pesach

2008-04-24T07:32:00.000-07:00

Pesach (Passover) is my favorite Jewish holiday. I hate the food (and am not the best Jew when it comes to being observant.) But I love the ritual of the Sedar. It was always such a fun experience for me – filled with songs and prayers in Hebrew that I could sing and say – even thought I never really learned to read Hebrew – I just memorized what I needed or used. Anyway, I love Pesach. I associated Pesach with the love I have for my father.

Since he has passed by brother has stepped up and now he leads the Sedar. And you see how hard he works on it to make it approachable and interesting and all-encompassing. He flair has also enabled non-Jew to enjoy. Which is a mitzvah as one should also invite a non-Jew to Sedar. And let's not forget that Tom and I both married out of the Tribe. And he has done it well. Each year he brings up something political or environmental – something that would really tie the Sedar and the tradition to our everyday lives. I find that very cool. This year he discussed CO2 levels rising from the sea and the death of the first born males - there is a lot more to it – but it was very interesting nonetheless.

But what really captivated the Sedar audience this year were the 3 children under 4 and a 5 month old. (Small shout-out to Amanda for all the hard work she did while a 33 week preggo.) The kids were delicious and funny and inappropriate at moments … but it was a Sedar filled with so much laughter it felt like a blessing. A blessing upon our home and upon all those who were there to witness what has come from my mother and father during Pesach.

I should be full Candi by June!

2008-04-24T07:06:00.001-07:00

I am ALIVE.

That is the best way to describe how I feel. I think this surgery (Lumbar Discectomy: Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery) will be my last. I ruptured my L5S1 on the left side on Jan 28th – a week before my return to work from maternity leave. I did it the night my son gave the stomach flu to my husband. When Sean puked on the floor – Ronin FLIPPED. Maybe a 2 year old would think – why would Daddy’s insides come out? Not sure to tell you the truth but I picked up Ronin while he was lying on the ground and carried him to bed. I caught the stomach flu, was sick for 24hrs – popped the disc the next morning. Now, I am sure 2 C-sections in under 2 years didn’t help, and not having the best stomach muscles ever post-partum. But that’s my tale.

Anyway it sucked. In a whole new way to define suck. I would take 2 C-sections and a breast reduction surgery TOGETHER over this one.

My hour and a half surgery turned into four. The nerve was pinched on the left AND right (double my pleasure) and a piece of disc migrated into my spinal column – thereby upon its’ removal there was scarring and spinal fluid leakage. This final TA-DA moment added to the recoup time. But I did it and I am here and fighting my way bac with my back.

I go back to work on Monday and I shall walk in - maybe with a small limp but not a walker. I left them dragging my left leg behind me (from the numbness). It was truly pathetic to watch – I felt like such a tool. The numbness is better – the pain from the disc is GONE and the pain from the surgery is much better. No more Morphine or Valium) the narcotics were impressive). And if you had the pleasure of speaking to me when I was on them and I am sure that you realize I remember NOTHING.

I should be full Candi by June!

Morning conversations with my son

2008-03-13T08:44:00.000-07:00

Ronin and I get special time in the morning when I drive him to daycare. We sing songs and chat. This special time really starts my day in the right way as he makes me so happy and I usually can ride that feeling all day. Once I drop him off I always get kisses and lots of “buh-byes” as I walk out the door. He never cries at daycare and always seems happy to be there.

While I was driving into the daycare Ronin sees the school and says “yeah school.” After I unload him from the car, Ronin looks up into the sky. He noticed the birds (seagulls) flying over the daycare.

Ronin: birds fly fly
I said: yes they are.
Ronin: birds sound tweet-tweet. He then runs up the ramp into the school flapping his little arms while he says “fly fly”. He then stops and sees a man carrying a baby.
Ronin: Look MA – baby. baby cry.
I said: yes babies cry - that is how they speak – because they don’t have words like big boys.
He thought about this (while placing a finger to his chin thoughtfully and said): I talk!
I said: I know. You are speaking very well lately.
Ronin said: I know! I said it!

"Play with me!"

2008-02-26T08:01:00.001-08:00

Autumn’s Godparents and good friends Phil and Diana visited us on Sunday. When Ronin awoke from his nap and saw Diana he ran right over to her and hugged her! She asked for a kiss and Ronin happily abided. He loves Diana and Phil and Sean and I were thrilled to see how happy he was to se them. Ronin immediately started to dance and show them his “moves.” After a half and hour passed I asked Ronin if he was hungry and he said YES! Thrilled that he was interested in eating I made him 2 chicken legs, carrots and mashed potatoes. They continued to coo over the baby and “fly” Ronin all over the house. Ronin learned the meaning of fly and would flop his hands around and say “fly - fly- fly”. After Phil got tired of flying Ronin around we settled on a quiet activity and Ronin asked to play with “play! DO!” He then said to Diana and me “Play with me?” Again being the thrilled parents with his use of multiple words – we nurtured his desires. Ronin is also constantly asking to “count?” with the aid of fish crackers and grapes. He lines them up and Sean and I count them and he eats them. He has 2 down really well now.

3 word sentences

2008-02-19T12:27:00.000-08:00

Ronin calls a lot of things “ba.” A sheep says “baaaah” .. a bottle is a “ba-ba” a bagel is a “ba” and sometimes a “beh” … a baby is a “baby”… a banana is a “mey-mey” (why? We are still not sure but he SWEARS that it is … anyway … Yesterday we discovered that a “ba” is also a blanket. Ronin pointed to the blanket and said “ba” and then motioned his hand and said “down” and then said “floor.” So I said, “Ronin, do you want mama to place the blanket on the floor?” He then jumped up and said “YES! I did it! I said it! I did it!” Each phase was met with another jump for emphasis. His wishes were understood and I was more then willing to make his 2 year old dreams come true.

Love You MA and Baba O'Riley

2008-02-15T07:19:00.000-08:00

This morning my son said "love you Ma!" as Sean carried him down the stairs to have some grapes and puffed rice wheels before school. I asked Sean if he heard Ronin say that - and Sean said yes! Sean also said that Ronin has NEVER said that to him -even though they are closer. I was so happy that - it made my day! Ronin and I have gotten closer since I started to take him to day-care/school in the mornings and we have some private time. We talk in the car and sing songs. Ronin loves Baba O'Riley - yes The Who. I played him that song this morning and he started drumming on the map book. I asked him if he liked the song and he said YES and started to sway and dance as much as he could in the car seat.

weekend update

2008-02-11T12:30:00.001-08:00

Weekend was good - Godfather visited from Boston and Ronin was VERY affectionate towards him. Sean, Mike and Ronin went grocery shopping for the family. Ronin was fun and is talking non-stop - we now exist in 2 word sentences. “me down”, “cat down”, “me up”, “my baby”, and then there was the "OH NO no P" when he watched me change his sister's diaper. The "NO P" seemed a big big deal for him - so when he is older we will explain the differences - fancy on the inside vs the outside. Ronin has now taken to identifying his P whenever he can – which is usually before bath. And I think that is great as he is learning his body. He now knows shoulders and elbows and knees. He brushes his teeth every night. He loves to read at least 4 books before bed and when he hears a sound – he identifies it as SOUND. He will touch something and say TOUCH and will let me know if it is SOFT. When he understands something he says I KNOW. And he played in the snow. Sean and I gave up on the snow pants and boots and let him out in sweats and sneakers. Sean shuttled him around in a sled and Ronin loved it. He calls snow SCHNOW!! But we wouldn’t let him out in it on Sunday as he refuses gloves and we are standing our ground on that one! Autumn- chicken is either sleeping through the night or only waking once around 6am - so this mama is not complaining! Now if I could just get Ronin to do that we would all sleep great!

updates on Autumn & Ronin

2008-02-08T08:08:00.000-08:00

So much is new. I started work on Monday and joining the daily grind again has been HARD but not too bad. I miss Autumn so completely that after I put Ronin to sleep I hold her from 6-9pm. I eat dinner with one hand and try to squeeze an entire day of love into 3 hours. I don’t see her in the mornings unless I am driving her to mom’s house. I also don’t see Ronin in the mornings if I drive Autumn so I enjoy when I get to drop him off at Day-care because he likes to show me his room.

I believe in my heart that mom’s that work suffer more – emotionally and physically. If I felt sick then I could still take care of Autumn and just be home – or even run errands – but when I am sick at work I have to be ON and smart and engaging and that is simply exhausting. The pressure is earth-shattering to me. But I do what I have to do.

I also miss so much of Autumn during the day – the time to pass on wisdom and love and share in her first sounds and expressions and emotions. I existed solely in a bubble of her love for 10 weeks – her smiles were for me – her happiness was generated by me – her needs were met by me – now I share her with my mother and my husband and her smiles and love are for others.

She is a sweet sweet soul.

Ronin started a new daycare on February 1st. His transition was minimal and he is a well adjusted and social kid. He walked right in – grabbed a big yellow bus and started playing. He labels everything and speaks endlessly. His latest expressions are “I did it!” “I got it!” “I found it!” “I know!” Objects “fall down” now and he understands the concept of sound. He is always looking out for baby and likes to pat her on the head and hug her – around the belly. When I dropped Ronin at daycare on Wednesday – he gave me a kiss – said “olive-vu” and gave me a kiss. When he said “bu-bye” all the kids stated waving and saving “bye” as well. Ronin got mad and said “my MAMA!” so that everyone knew who I was. I felt claimed and proud and rode that feeling all day.

Mid Jan update on Ronin and Autumn

2008-01-18T11:31:00.000-08:00

On Tuesday Sean and I investigated a new daycare for Ronin. We are currently at Bright Horizons (which is great) but costs $1700/month for full time care and is 45 minutes south. And as our finances have changed we need to tighten our budget a tad. We found a new daycare that is 10-15 minutes in BREWSTER and we were very pleased at the level of care. It will also cost about $1000/month. Ronin at age 2 is a vibrant and fun child. He has self confidence - his new expression is "I did it!" and adapts well (we hope!) We bought him to the new daycare and he walked right in - took off his coat - and started playing with the big yellow bus. Another kid siddled up to him and he took no notice and continued to play. Sean and I and my mother and Celina have given him the tools he needs (at 2) to be able to feel good about himself and this can only lead furthering his healthy development. I may want to give my kid the Scarsdale education I had but I have live in reality and Brewster and the "Scarsdale of daycare" is beyond our means at this time. But the Brewster one is pretty damn good as well. If it was only Jewish!

Now on to my Autumn. My precious sweetness and G-d gave to ME. I woke her about 45 monutes before we left and she only got in 2 oz. When I packed her into her carseat she cried and I knew she wanted more food. I had intended on giving her a bottle at the Daycare while Ronin and Sean played and I spoke to the administrators. But she never fussed or stirred once. She let me do what I needed to do for Ronin and was the perfect baby EVER. As soon as we got home I prepared a bottle before she stirred as I knew once she knew she was home - she would wail for food. Autumn had her 2 month well baby visit on Thursday. She is doing great - is 11.9 lbs (70%) and 23-1/2 inches (75%). She is strong and beautiful and sweet. But when she is AWAKE and wants attention - all else stops and focuses on her!

Ronin milestone

2008-01-12T16:59:00.000-08:00

Ronin climbed out of his crib today with such stealth that neither Sean nor I heard it. We had prepared for this eventuality by placing two large blankets around his crib. He is not quite ready for a toddler bed so the next month should be interesting.

Ladies Home Journal

2008-01-04T14:20:00.000-08:00

My quest for 2008 is to be in shape. To shape up my finances, to shape up my family and to shape up my life. When I went to pick up the mail that I had let accumulate for a few days I came across a Ladies Home Journal mailed to me. Ladies Home Journal? When did I hit that demographic? As I have been exisiting for the past 7 weeks on a diet of Sex in the City at early am bottle feedings I am uniquely aware of my feminine status. So is turning 34 in two weeks changed my age box? Is the box now 34-40 and I have now entered a new stage? In the same pile of mail was a 10% coupon to my hair salon. That is so expensive that my mom is treating me to a hair cut and color for my birthday. Ladies Home Journal my post-preggo as! I'm off to the salon on Wednesday.

Xmas 2007 - still in edit mode

2007-12-29T13:31:00.000-08:00

My MIL just left to go back to Canada. She was a great help while here. An extra set of hands with Autumn and a play-date interest for Ronin - she cooked us a chicken and mash that lasted for several meals. She even babysat and Sean and I saw I am Legend. This was the first movie I saw since pre-Ronin. But she got to spend some time with Ronin. A whole week means a lot to his world and we think she walked away knowing more of Ronin - which was great. It also meant Christmas to Sean to have his mom with him. And I am glad I could help facilitate that happening. My mom made us a lovely Xmas dinner of Roast Beef and mashed potatoes, green beans and salad. It was a good week. It is also nice to have Autumn’s room back to her and I am 3 loads of clean laundry behind and I am losing this battle – steadily.

I also learned how to be a hostess and I found some weaknesses - but I am also 6 weeks post pregnancy and hormonal.

I can say that 2 years ago today I had no children. Tomorrow marks Ronin's 2nd birthday. I am prepping for the pasty on Sunday and will be baking cupcakes for the kids. This will be a feat as I am finally pushing myself culinary-wise. Today is Ronin's birthday. By the time I saw my little man he and Sean were already playing in the basement. He loves it! We have a playroom for the kids. Ronin says "yeah" in a way that denotes he really means it. There is No in a tone we understand and a "uh-huh" that is totally Curious George. There is a "good" that accompanies a hand pumping after he pretends to eat something and says "Mmm". He asks for a "show?" knows all the characters on the Mickey Mouse Club Hose show - and dances along with June on Little Einstein’s. He also calls Leo = Eyo. He is working hard to communicate and we are working on easing him out of tantrums. He had a piece of cake for dessert - chocolate and vanilla and he loved it. When Sean and I tried to sing Happy Birthday he cried out. We tried to talk about birthday's all day and we got the same reaction. But he loved the cake! My little man is 2.
I had slept in until 8am as I was up a lot w/ Autumn last night. More fitful then when her Grandma Barbara was here. She was GREAT with her. Now we will have to work on a new schedule as she is 6wks and her days and nights have switched - I think. She really couldn’t be more perfect. An easy baby - a joy - a true help in our new transitioning world. She sleeps through Ronin's yelling and is sweet and soft. I am writing her song and it goes to the tune of Rio by Duran Duran:

Your name is Autumn and you're my little girl
I dreamt you up and brought you into the world
Your nature's gentle and you're soft to the touch
Your mommy and daddy and Ronin love you very much
You have two big blue eyes and a little upturned nose
You got your daddy narrow feet and slender toes
Still working on more for her

2007-12-19T10:33:00.000-08:00

I haven't had any time to blog at all. My daughter was born on November 13, 2007 at 11:15am. She weighted 8 lbs. 10 oz and was 20 inches long. She is precious and I call her Boo Boo Chicken. She looks up at me with the darkest cobalt blue eyes and has the sweetest little Clara Bow lips. My Grandma Barbara says the lips belong to her namesake Great Grandma Annie. I am wondering if in fact she has my husband Sean upper lip? She has my chin and cheeks. My mom says her nose is mine (oh well) and we are not sure of her eyes. She will change plenty in the time to come.

She makes chipmunk sounds when happy and then we call her Boo Boo Chipmunk. She is a feeder and will demands bottles every hour-and-a-half. I am working on switching her days and nights – so I am trying to filler her up more during the daytime. She doesn't feed well at night and that makes for every hour-and-a-half awakening for a 1 1/2 oz. This has made me STUPID tired. But last night I only woke once btw 3-4am when she is always awake - same as in utero. She is taking a small catnap now and I should do - but I am a little mentally starved and this writing is helpful.

Ronin has been wonderful and there were a few moments with her where he wants to touch her but it too excited. He has been more sensitive and Sean and I are really trying to make this transition as smooth as possible. He calls her "baby" and always wants to know where she is? He has started to play with his stuffed animals differently. The bear that sings the alphabet was fed a bottle and he stated playing "night-night" where the bear was covered in a blanket. He also wants a "ba-ba" when he sees Autumn have one but that let up more this past weekend. He had his first sentence last week "Ba-ba for me?" And understands hot-cold, light-dark, and stop-go. He is talking non-stop and is labeling everything. He also can be a little parrot. When he wants to watch a cartoon - he asks for "show?" His hair has finally started to get too long and the hair is weighing down the curls - there is no way he would deal with a haircut so I am going to have to snip the ends when he doesn't know what I have done. This will be difficult.

Sean's mom - Barbara is coming on Saturday for a week and that will make for restful times. And we have a Christmas tree - my first at 33. It is beautiful I have to admit. And Ronin seems thrilled by the lights and ornaments - balls. To recap a tad more … Gillhoolley has been in lock down over the great illness of 2007 where we were all knocked out for a week - including Autumn. I gave it to her the week after I got out of the hospital as Ronin gave it to me. We all went on the Z-pack and recovered but I had to take Autumn to White Plains hospital for an X-ray to rule out pneumonia. Turns out it wasn't - but driving her to the hospital was a defining moment in my life. I cried in the car on the phone with my mom as I drove her there. But it was something that went away with the medicine and by a week later I had her up to 9 lbs. I basically fed her for a week every hour-and-a-half an oz 24 hrs a day.

But it worked and she is thriving! But my time alone with her might be ending sooner than later for $$ reasons and I am crushed. But my kids will one day know all that I did to do what has be be done and they will know that I spent as much time as I could. This is a working mother's guilt-issue.

2007-11-07T08:25:00.000-08:00

I am sitting here at my desk working on my notes for my maternity leave and I started scanning the numerous pictures of Ronin that I have on all the walls of my cubicle. And then I come across a picture of my father – that was taken after he had the stroke. His smile is so big and genuine and his eyes are so sweet and inviting. And I am moved to tears. He has been gone now for 9 years and although the pain has subsided there are moments like now that I feel a quite desperation to hug him and have his kiss me on the cheek. As I approach the final countdown before my little girl is born I think about what life would be like if he was still here. And I wish he could have lived to see my children - o know and love them and for them to know and love him. I know how much he would have adored my Ronin (whom I named for him) and reveled in his energy and moxy and spirit for discovery - and for my future baby girl who I also named for him (in a way) and for my Great-Grandma Annie. I hope he watches over us and is comforted by our successes and happiness. I’m really missing him today.

2007-10-19T11:03:00.000-07:00

A New pic of Ronin

2007-10-02T13:39:00.000-07:00

This is a picture of Ronin from the party! Too cute in my opinion!

Ronin is 21 months old!

2007-10-01T12:41:00.001-07:00

Ronin was invited to a birthday party on Sunday. He had an amazing time! First he played with all the toys in their living room and then he went outside – ran around on their deck and then climbed on all the lawn chairs. Then he found a ball and ran all over their yard chasing the dog and throwing the ball. Lots of people seemed to get a real kick out him and he was BY FAR the most sociable. When he walks into a room and sees people he smiles easily. This is not a shy child! He then walks over to each person waves and says HI! I offered him some chicken which he took a bite of and then threw on the floor. Subtlety is not his strong point.

When the entertainer gathered all the children for songs and games – Ronin wasn’t interested in sitting on anyone’s lap. He placed himself in the center of the circle. He cheered and clapped and danced to the music. He was the only one who would dance and clap. He really seemed to think the whole party was about him. But he is so damn cute – no one seems to mind. When they sang “Old McDonald” and the leader said cow – Ronin looked at me and I said, “What does a cow say?” and Ronin exclaimed “MOO!” and then applauded for himself. Same thing happened with sheep and Ronin said “BA!” When they brought out a big book Ronin exclaimed “BOOK” and when he was done listening Sean and I had to tell him that the bubbles were coming and Ronin yelled “Bubbles!” He was exceedingly verbal and Sean and I were thrilled. Then the entertainers sang a song about a lion in the jungle and Ronin would say “RARR” at every opportune or not moment.

When he got a little bored he started doing summersaults in the middle of the room. They brought out a parachute – which Ronin loved – and a little mosh-pit of toddlers soon overtook the room!

Ronin was so happy to be there and he had such a great time. Sean and I really enjoyed ourselves!

Onto the sequel … she is measuring a little over 4-1/2 lbs and is between 55-60% in size. She has my chin and my cheeks! She is currently head-down but moving nonstop. My BP is good at 120/74 and I gained 2 lbs in 2 weeks but she gained a pound herself – so I only netted one pound! 6 weeks to go until she is here!

Ronin and sequel update

2007-08-16T13:03:00.000-07:00

Ronin had his 18 months doctor appointment today (even though he is 19 mos) and he is now a whopping 36 inches tall (yes 3 FEET – thank U Rechtschaffen genes) and he is 26 lbs 10 oz (that you Gillhoolley genes). So he is 99.6% in height and 50% in weight – the same trajectory that he has followed since birth. The doctor said he appeared to be a happy and healthy little boy that is developing wonderfully (YEAH!) His physical abilities are accelerated and his verbal are right on target. He received 2 shots today as well. He enjoyed playing with his matchbox cars, eating some golden raisins and talking to the fish in the fish tank in the office waiting room. His next appointment will be just after his 2nd bday.

As for the sequel – she is strong and active and measured at about 1 lbs 9 oz (52%). She is kicking and punching me daily (as she is much quieter at night!) She is fond of Gouda cheese and yogurt and not such a big fan of tomato sauce. My C-section date has been scheduled for November 16th – so we are eagerly anticipating a Scorpio with a Scorpio rising! Apparently opinionated and smart – so that should be a good match for Ronin to pal around with. My blood pressure was 110/68 and weight gain is steady but good.

Ronin and Sean are both almost over their respective colds and we are looking forward to a birthday weekend with mom. And I have managed to lose my ability to grasp anything longer than for 5 seconds or bend with great ease. We are all happy and well and sending love to each and every one of you!

Ronin's Class Picture

2007-08-06T13:25:00.001-07:00

This is Ronin's class picture. I adore how my little man smiles! He loves to be around people and he LOVES Day Care. I am so happy that we made the choice for him. I am also happy that I was able to keep him out of Day Care until he was at the right stage of development. Now he is a happy, confident and social little being - whom I am sure will embrace and enchant the world!

Ronin - 19 months old

2007-08-03T06:57:00.000-07:00

This is Ronin's first "school" picture taken at Daycare - Bright Horizons!! I am still amazed that the photographer managed to keep him still so the picture could be taken! And I love the little fat starfish hands!

Family Housewarming and BBQ

2007-07-23T13:48:00.001-07:00

Tom and family came to visit us on Sunday. Everyone had a chance to see our new digs and I could tell they seemed to like the place a lot. I think they were impressed with the amount of space we have – and they would have bought something similar if it has been 15 – 20 miles south. There were a lot of cracks about needing a passport in case they had to cross the border and how close we were to the clouds – which would explain the increased amounts of rainfall we receive. Sean simply responded, “YES we are closer to the heavens here!”

Ronin was enamored by his cousins, Nate and Jess. Nate was running up and down the hallway – leading a parade and Ronin was so happy to run back and forth with them. He was laughing and squealing! Ronin LOVES a good chase. Jess was always close behind – observing closely – always keenly aware. She is definitely the power behind the thrown. You want to have her as your FRIEND not your enemy. Jess was OBSESSED over Ronin’s Elmo chair and tried to claim it whenever Ronin would let her – which wasn’t all that often. At one point Ronin got up and you could see Jess waiting to make her move. It was really quite sweet. Jess was dressed in an adorable dress with her cute chubby legs and sweet arms exposed and her eyes are a lovely shade of light blue – the same as her mother, Amanda. Her hair is much longer now and has curls at the bottom. She has really changed a lot since I saw her in May. It was so nice to see all the cousins together and they seemed to really enjoy one another. This is what I have always dreamed of seeing – all these cousins enjoying one another. Nate led, Ronin ran after and Jess trailed. I looked forward to Baby G coming and joining forces with the gang!

When Ronin first woke up from his nap and came downstairs he went directly to my mom. He misses her so much. Bypassing me totally he went to her and sat on her lap. Thrilled to be with her again! She was so happy. He then proceeded to eat his lunch while on her lap. I love seeing their relationship.

Of course every emotion that Ronin demonstrates is greeted by my mother smiling! She is madly in love with him and Ronin can do no wrong in her eyes. When Ronin was frustrated and showed it – she howled. Sean and I weren’t too thrilled when Ronin dumped his cousin, Jess, out of his chair and then proceeded to sit in it again and reclaim it – but that is VERY only child of him. He will also soon learn better sharing skills and discipline now that he is in Daycare – and we are happy for those behaviors and lessons to develop.

Tom thinks I need to have Ronin’s speech development checked. He was concerned that Ronin wasn’t really using his words and at one point screamed to get attention. He is frustrated by his lack of words – that is clear. But he has the pre-requisite 20. Ronin is identifying objects with words but he isn’t using those words in the middle of all his gibberish. I think Tom is showing some genuine concern and I appreciate that. Ronin’s next appointment is in August (a little late for his 18 mos appointment) but I wanted to make sure we got in to see Dr. Amler. Jut last night Ronin said STAR. And a few days ago he said OLIVEU for I Love You and WHERDHEGO? For Where did he go? So I think it is coming just at Ronin’s own pace.

Life with the gillhoolley's

2007-07-17T13:17:00.000-07:00

So the little girl inside of me is now a bustling 13 ouncer and moving up a storm. I am anemic now - which explains the tiredness - which is nice to know that there is a real reason why I am dragging ass all the time. No more weight loss and started to gain.

Ronin is delicious as ever and is using new words everyday. He just mimics you - and now says OLIVEU for “I love you” and WHERDHEGO for “Where did he go?” He loves to look at the pictures in the hallway and point at the people he knows - a lot me ME, MAMA, DADEE. He loves Daycare and Sean and I are thrilled about that. He also busted into a room - At camp the other day, Ronin heard some music playing. The room was filled with 4 year old girls. They were having a dance party. Ronin knocked on the door and the counselor saw that Ronin was dancing. The counselor invited him in and he danced in the middle of room while the other girls laughed and clapped form him. He shimmies and shakes. He loved it – there was a big juicy smile on his face! Also there was some 70's funk on the radio the other day and when he heard "dig it dig it" he started the shimmy move. I nearly pissed myself.

2007-07-10T08:48:00.000-07:00

My little man loves day care. Sean and I were worried but hopeful as we knew the time had come to transition Ronin from my mother and nanny into a program where he could learn some structure, enjoy other children and grow with experience only found with peers. Friday was his first day and the Sean stayed the first 2 hours. Sean met all the other children (all 8 of them) and Ronin gallivanted around the water play area and indoor toy area all the while interacting with everyone. I picked up an exhausted child at 3pm who needed a hug and kiss as he didn’t nap well in the new environment. That being the only negative – which I think will be easily surmountable.

Today was Ronin’s 2nd day – but since it is a Tuesday – it was like Day 1 all over again. Ronin walked into the center with Sean and carried his own lunchbox (which was bigger than him.) As soon as Ronin entered the classroom he took off to play beside another child. Sean had to go over and kiss him good-bye as Ronin acclimated perfectly and instantly. My little man is a social and spirited child who CRAVES the company of others. Both Sean and I feel very good about this decision. Ronin will continue at Bright Horizons through the rest of the summer – 3 days a week – 9-3pm.

The summer continues

2007-06-21T13:51:00.000-07:00

So Ronin is now enrolled in Day Care at Bright Horizons - 3 days a week. It is time for him to seriously socialize with others kids his age and both Sean and I feel the experience will be invaluable for his development. He so craves the attention and companionship of other kids and I think he will blossom even more than he is now! And he will definetely get sick more now as well - but I feel it is time for him to be exposed to those bugs and kids and choices that all accompany the Day Care experience.

On Monday/Thursdays he will be at summer camp for an hour a day and Tuesday/Wednesday/Friday will be Bright Horizons.

My little man will have a very full summer.

Father's Day

2007-06-21T13:47:00.000-07:00

Sean and I took Ronin to the Bronx Zoo on Father's Day 2007. We tried to get Sean and Ronin on the camel ride but as soon as they were up there Ronin started crying! They screamed REFUND and we all headed over to Jungle World in Asia.

Ronin was captivated by the fish as they were his eye level and he also liked a peacock that was moving not 5 feet in front of him. He also visited with all the other kiddies in various strollers as they had fish and animal crackers and he is a nosher! He wasn't as interested in the monkeys as we had expected but they were sleeping and were quite boring!

Next time we are going to the Petting Zoo so Ronin can meet some new buddies!

It was a great Father's Day. Sean also set up our new BBQ and has become a grilling master!

A new house and a baby on the way!

2007-06-11T14:00:00.001-07:00

Sean and I bought our first home. It is 3BR / 2.5BA and BEAUTIFUL. It is spacious and wonderful and woefully under baby-proofed. We are thrilled and tired and exhilarated simultaneously.

The move was HELLacious and riddled with difficulty and we have vowed to never speak of it again. We are happy it is over and revel in the fact that we will be unpacking for the rest of our lives.

Every delivery and installation has been delayed and redone. Nothing has gone well or smoothly but I remain happy and loving my house. Ronin is having a blast running from the living room (grand hall) to the kitchen and back again! I changed my first door knob all by myself! And now I have to buy more so Ronin doesn’t lock himself in any rooms – as he loves to shut doors and have us on the other side.

Speaking of my monkey he is happy and healthy and apparently in love w/ Curious George.

I had an OB appointment today and that went well. I have lost another 3 lbs and my blood pressure was great. The baby’s heartbeat is 150 beats/per/minute and she is located just underneath my belly button and to the right. I felt her move 2x last week. She is the size of an avocado. I have been instructed NOT to lose any more weight – now that has to be the first time I have EVER heard that one! And I am grossly dehydrated and in need of rest! And I laughed as the doctor has clearly NEVER met my son, Ronin.

And we still have no clear winner for a girl’s name.

2007-05-24T11:35:00.001-07:00

Dear Grandma,

I am sorry I called you in such a rage. I should have waited and calmed down a bit but I didn’t and for that I will have to accept the consequences.

I blame both of you for the bad relationship you have. She is NOT the daughter you want and YOU are not the mother she wants. Mom is a GREAT mother to me and YOU are a fabulous GRANDMOTHER to me. But somewhere in between the two of you fall short and continue to fail one another over and over again. It is sad and regretful but it is the truth.

I would be remiss to say that it hasn’t saddened me for years that the two of you could never get along. But alike others things in life – I learned to accept the fact that life – alike family – isn’t perfect – and we do not always conduct ourselves in the most positive light. Nor does life always turn out like we hoped. I never imagined burying a father at 23 nor did you ever imagine burying two husbands. But we have all survived in our own ways and learned to move forward and find pleasure where we can.

That is why I have always tried to steer clear from the venom that spews between you and mom. But today I made a choice to change my policy as it would have affected MY son. And there is NO ONE more important to me then HIM. Not you, nor Tom, nor Mom. Ronin is a pure sweet little beauty who only knows love and warmth. And to have him exposed to anger (that he has no part of creating) is entirely unacceptable to me.

But when the selfishness that occurs between my mother and you flows into Ronin’s life then no will shall be immune to my rage. And that is why I had to take the stand I did.

I hope that at some point you will forgive me for my anger but I still stand by what I said. The two of you would be better off – if you never spoke – as there isn’t enough love between the two of you – to overcome all the hurt that happens over and over again.

You feel abandoned by the family and I am not sure what my part in that is and what I could do to make that better. I only have love for you as you have only showed me love. But I cannot continue to listen to my mother’s hurt when she speaks to you. I simply cannot handle or process the stress – not now being pregnant – nor ever in the future. I cannot exist in that state of being – I did for awhile before I met Sean and I wasn’t a happy person. He has enabled me to become strong and set boundaries and by those boundaries I must live.

I am more than a daughter, a sister, a granddaughter, or a wife now. I am a mother. And I will be the best possible mother I can be – and in order to do that I must step away from the venom and hope that at some point all this nonsense will cease.

Again, I am sorry to have spoken to you in anger. I have so much love for you and hope that in your heart you know that to be true.

Mom's Day 2007

2007-05-14T13:26:00.001-07:00

Sean called me last night from Japan and wished me happy Mom's Day. He asked to speak to Ronin. I put the phone to Ronin's ear and when Ronin heard Sean he looked around and smiled and flapped his arms and legs. Then Sean said hello again and Ronin mouthed the phone to kiss him and then started giggling. He said “allo? allo?” When Sean and I spoke I couldn’t stop crying. I asked him if he wanted to stay there because he loves Japan so much. And then he said he missed me so much it hurt. And he couldn’t bear being away from Ronin any longer then planned. When I told him how much I missed him – he started to cry a bit – and he said – I knew from the moment I met you that I would love you forever – and now that we have been apart – I know that I NEVER want to be apart from you this long ever again! And I cried some more. I miss him so much – I cannot wait until Thursday night!

Story of the day

2007-05-10T13:16:00.000-07:00

Ronin fell asleep after playgroup today. Once he was asleep mom and Celena went outside to get something from the car. Mom and Celena locked themselves out of the house w/ Ronin asleep upstairs. Mom proceeded to call her neighbor and ask her for the extra key. Neighbor said you took the key back several months ago. Mom started to sweat. Mom realized that there was nothing she could do. She was locked out and had to call the Fire department. She said there was a baby in a crib locked inside the house. Within 5 minutes 4 police cars, and a fire truck come screeching down the block. The fireman (in a very nice outfit my mom cared to note) asked my mom which window might be opened a tad in order to avoid breaking one - my mom chose the upstairs bathroom as the optimal place to enter. As the fireman was putting the ladder against the house - she noticed that her 8 lbs poodle was running around the backyard. The poodle is never let out w/o supervision. She realized that the patio door was left open and that is how the dog got out. She stopped the fireman after he had reached the window and said the patio door is open - Omig-d! My mom then started to cry in embarrassment. She said my son-in-law is in Japan and my daughter works full time for Reader's Digest and I am very overwhelmed. I am so sorry. The fireman said that as a matter of protocol he had to check on the baby. At this point the neighbor had made it down the street in her housecoat to see if anyone needed medical attention. The fireman said that Ronin was ass-up asleep in the crib without a care in the world. When the fireman came down the stairs she had already poured them all some lemonade and apologized that it wasn’t sugar lemonade as she was a diabetic and it was only crystal light. She then pulled some cookies out of the freezer and offered them all a small nosh.

a little bitching to relieve the soul

2007-05-09T12:58:00.000-07:00

It is strange. I have told several friends that I am pregnant way before I was going to tell anyone because I wanted to share and I also wanted some support. When they told me they were pregnant the 2nd time around I was very excited and tried to emotionally support them as much as possible. And I have received none. No one seems to particularly care when you get pregnant the 2nd time – as if to say .. Well the 1st time is super exciting as it is new experience and something to prove in a way – that you can actually conceive and carry a child to term. But the 2nd time all bets are off. I have found myself lonelier this time around and that definitely is depressing. I do have one friend that is always supportive and whenever I speak to her she makes me feel great – compliments me and blusters me up when I am down and she doesn’t even have children. Also I have found that I have to chase some of my friends more then I care too. Now I know I don’t have an office anymore and I lack privacy at work – but they could call me at lunch time and check in occasionally. Again this makes me feel bad. And I know I am hyper-emotional but still – the loneliness is pervasive and especially since Sean is out of the country I would think there would have been more emotional support for a friend.

13 lbs. YOU bet your ass baby!

2007-05-01T09:11:00.000-07:00

So I competed in a weight loss challenge here at work and the winner would receive about $450. The winner is also determined by percentage not total poundage. So I knew I would NEVER have a chance as I have the most to lose - which I normally do in all these challenges. The challenge was originally for 3 months but we all extended it for 4 months. I did well for 3 months and over the past month I have been eating a lot – HMMM I wonder why??

I weighted in this morning and lost 13 lbs!! I am VERY proud of me.

But there is a skinny-mini who lost 10 lbs and now she tells everyone that she has a thyroid issue. I think it is totally unfair for her to win as she didn’t have to try – like the rest of us – but I can’t say anything because that makes me look petty. And I still wouldn’t care if I hadn’t won – I just don’t think she should be able to.

The Sequel

2007-04-30T10:47:00.000-07:00

9 weeks 4 days
I had the sequel checked out this morning … Strong loud heartbeat and the arms and legs were flapping around and swimming up a storm. This one is already moving more inside me then Ronin ever did in the beginning. It made it so much more real. Not that I haven't ABORBED that I am preggsters - but maybe in a weird way I haven't - well maybe a little... Whenever I had a major sono w/ Ronin - he never moved. I called him chill and Sean called him lazy ... My next appointment is in 3 weeks for Alpha-Fetal Proteins to detect downs’ syndrome, spina-bifida and all other uggely problems. So far so good. No weight gain – although my tummy is sticking out right above my belly button and my blood pressure was great – 108/70. This is a strong little bugger and the sequl is already rocking my world and here to stay. I am due 11/28/07 and the doctors plans on me being HOME by American Turkey Day – 11/24/07. Can someone say another little tax write-off!

Still haven't told Tom and wifely. Haven't told Grandma either ...

Accomplishment

2007-04-27T10:53:00.000-07:00

My little man ate carrots yesterday. Little baby carrots that I had steamed up for him – that he could hold in his little fat star-fish hands … I placed one in front of him to see how he would react. Once he realized what it was he looked around for more. I also gave him some left over sloppy-Joe ground turkey. I felt tremulously accomplished as my little man ate all real people / adult food and liked it. I felt good that he didn’t entirely reject what I placed before him. I felt like a provider – extraordinaire. Is it wrong that my sense of accomplishment is wrapped up in a 16 month old? Right now I am okay with that.

the mommy debate

2007-04-23T09:15:00.000-07:00

How many stay-at-home mom's wish they had a full time job vs. how many full time working mom's wish they could stay-at-home.

I think this is a really interesting point to consider in the on-going discussion re: who deals with what? AS I have said many-a-time I think we all have it hard and in different ways ...

I just thought it was interesting to mention.

Craving for OJ turns terribly wrong!

2007-04-20T12:25:00.000-07:00

I had a CRAZY craving for OJ today. So I bought one and drank it and it was awesome. Then 2 hours later I ran to the bathroom to throw it up! That was far from awesome and actually quite acidic and gross and painful. Now I am off OJ. Which is sad as I used to love OJ and the last time I drank it was in May 2006 when I was pregnant with Ronin. And then I threw it up and vowed no more OJ until after Ronin was born. And then I got off juice completely and only began to crave it until now – or should I say until 11am.

So daycare expenses will kill me. I am spending $700 a month for a nanny at my mom’s house who also cleans when she has the time - which was a lot before Ronin learned top walk at 8 months. Now Ronin needs more … he needs more activities and socialization. So mom looked into a few classes and says they will cost $300 a month extra. Which means $1000 a month? I could put him in full time daycare for $1000 a month in Brewster. For 8am – 6pm care. But I didn’t want to do that yet as I wasn’t sure he or I could handle that. Then I wouldn’t hear about all the cute things he does and the new words and the new experiences … because strangers would be caring for him not family.

But with another on the way I need to reconsider this scenario and since I got knocked up so fast I will / should put him in something full time by Jan as I would have to go back to work after the sequel goes to my mom by February.

And Sean’s J-O-B is not set yet for September and that is stressful! So I really do not know what I can afford on top of the mortgage but alas I have no choice!

Crazy Bloated

2007-04-19T12:57:00.000-07:00

My ankles are swelling by the second. I was BAD today with the water intake and now I am feeling it. I also spent lunch in my car sleeping. The exhaustion of the 1st tri-mester is UNREAL. Then I ate a lot of cheese and felt better. Tonight I think I will order the home baby mentor kit and find out the gender. Everyone is rooting for a girl and I really want this little bugger to be healthy and strong. Sean and I got that w/Ronin and I want a repeat performance.

Ronin did "well" in class today. He hugged a little girl who had a ton of curls and then stole her play vacuum. I am not sure of the gesture was hugging or stealing related. He also has no table skills or whatever that means? He is only 15 months for G-dsakes. So he doesn't want to sit at a table and draw - he would rather draw on other kids or on the floor. Good for him for not assimulating totally. I want a LEADER not a FOLLOWER. The world needs a Ronin thankuverymuch!

Today is Day 1

2007-04-18T11:32:00.001-07:00

I used to keep an online diary but I have grown away from that. Everyone is blogging and I figured this was a good way to keep everyone informed of the Gillhoolley's. I wanted to create a special website for my son, Ronin, but I no longer recall how to HTML and no one has the time to create a full site. So here I begin - Day 1. A blog for the Gillhoolley's.

I am EXHAUSTED. I did sleep well and went to bed last night at 9pm. Ronin slept through the night again and that makes it - 5 out of 7 days - so maybe I won't have to deny him his 4am bottle and he will simply grow out of it. That would rock. I am having several pains and pulls from the sequel and WISH I could tell more people about it - but alas I need to wait.