I've written about the packing situation with baby before. This weekend was our first real vacation with the kiddo. For a 4-day, 3-night trip, I started The Master List a week in advance. I have to show you this thing. It is epic:
Equipment
x - Bumbo with tray
x - Jeep stroller
x - Exersaucer
x - Bouncy chair
x - Hiking backpack
x - Bjorn
x - Pack 'n play
x - monitor
Food
x - bowls and spoons
x - bottles, covers, and nipples
x - pump and parts
x - formula
x - breastmilk
x - babyfood
x - prune juice
Toys
x - froggy
x - monkey
x - scout
x - teething rings
Toiletries
x - shampoo and conditioner
x - razors
x - face wash
x - face lotion and body lotion
x - make-up
x - hairbrush and hair dryer
x - elastics and bobby pins
x - medicines
x - toothbrushes
Baby clothes
x - short sleeve onesies (6)
x - long sleeve onesies (2)
x - shorts (3)
x - pants (2)
x - sweatshirt
x - PJs (3)
x - sun hat
x - bathing suit and surf shirt
x - sunglasses
x - bibs, burpies, face cloths
x - diapers, wipes
Mommy clothes
x - jean shorts, tank, cardigan, birks (wear)
x - tank tops (4)
x - t-shirts (2)
x - long sleeve shirt
x - skirt
x - sweatshirt
x - cargo pants
x - yoga pants
x - white socks (2)
x - flip flops, sneakers
x - underwear and bras (4)
x - army hat
Etc.
x - beach towels
x - pillows
x - bug spray
x - bug net
x - sun screen (baby and adult)
x - motrin
x - baby blanket
x - Nintendo DS
x - ipod
x - both cameras
x - phone chargers
I hope most of you skimmed through that, as I would have too. I just had to show the sheer insanity of leaving home with kid(s). And my obvious sick pride in how organized I was in planning for this. I am by no means a type-A personality. My mind is a bit of a frazzled mess most of the time. Come to my home or look at my desk on any day of the week to see for yourself. I rely on lists like this to organize the chaos. If it weren't for The List, most of this stuff would not have made it and we'd be running around last minute throwing whatever we could grab into the vortex of the car. We'd get to the destination and think, "Wait.. why did we bring the blender? 8 bathing suits, but no toothbrushes? OMG WHERE'S THE BABY?!"
No, I did not put BABY on the list. It's a miracle we remembered him.
Tony was in charge of his own clothes. Yes, sometimes I let him dress himself. His wardrobe is basically grown-up sized Garanimals anyway.
Oh, and the x's denote that it is packed. Not in a bag, or on the landing of the stairs. I would not mark it with an x until it was IN THE CAR.
We had a beautiful trip to the mountains with the Cawley clan. Photos and stories soon to come.
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Thursday, July 15, 2010
6 Months
Dear Desmond,
You are six months old today. I can't even believe it. Every day that passes seems to be better than the last.
You are rolling over like crazy now. You started rolling back to front early on. Took a while for you to get the hang of the other way. But now that you got it, we can't take our eyes off you for a second! We've made it 6 months without any injuries. If you're anything like your mother, that streak could end any day now...
You started eating solids recently. Francesca (your daycare provider and great friend) said, "I can't imagine him not liking anything." And it's true, you took right to it! You love oatmeal and peaches and pears and avocado. Pretty soon we'll introduce peas and squash and mango. And like Francesca says, I can't imagine you not liking them too.
You are a giggling fool! Every day we find a different tickle spot. And when we do, daddy and I will sit there and listen to you laugh forever. We laugh to the point of tears, give you a break, and then do it again.
Your smile is so big and wide. Any time you hear our voices or see one of us, you show us that beautiful grin. I will miss those gums and those puffed out cheeks when you start to get teeth.
You suck your thumb a lot. Never really took to the paci, which is fine with us. The thumb is always there, even if it can sometimes take a while for you to find it. When you're fussing in your crib, we'll stand outside the door whispering "Find it... find it." And you always do.
Des, you are such a joy. Easy, laid back, and quiet... (most of the time). A lot like your parents. Every morning you wake up smiling. You fight sleep sometimes, but you give in soon enough. Daddy and I have spent so much time watching you sleep. (Is that creepy? Sorry if it is.)
We say to eachother all the time, "I love him, you know." God we really, really do.
Here's to the next 6 months, and a lifetime of smiles, laughs, and milestones.
To the moon and back, little man.
You are six months old today. I can't even believe it. Every day that passes seems to be better than the last.
You are rolling over like crazy now. You started rolling back to front early on. Took a while for you to get the hang of the other way. But now that you got it, we can't take our eyes off you for a second! We've made it 6 months without any injuries. If you're anything like your mother, that streak could end any day now...
You started eating solids recently. Francesca (your daycare provider and great friend) said, "I can't imagine him not liking anything." And it's true, you took right to it! You love oatmeal and peaches and pears and avocado. Pretty soon we'll introduce peas and squash and mango. And like Francesca says, I can't imagine you not liking them too.
You are a giggling fool! Every day we find a different tickle spot. And when we do, daddy and I will sit there and listen to you laugh forever. We laugh to the point of tears, give you a break, and then do it again.
Your smile is so big and wide. Any time you hear our voices or see one of us, you show us that beautiful grin. I will miss those gums and those puffed out cheeks when you start to get teeth.
You suck your thumb a lot. Never really took to the paci, which is fine with us. The thumb is always there, even if it can sometimes take a while for you to find it. When you're fussing in your crib, we'll stand outside the door whispering "Find it... find it." And you always do.
Des, you are such a joy. Easy, laid back, and quiet... (most of the time). A lot like your parents. Every morning you wake up smiling. You fight sleep sometimes, but you give in soon enough. Daddy and I have spent so much time watching you sleep. (Is that creepy? Sorry if it is.)
We say to eachother all the time, "I love him, you know." God we really, really do.
Here's to the next 6 months, and a lifetime of smiles, laughs, and milestones.
To the moon and back, little man.
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
The Day Before
Six months ago from this moment, I sat in my cube at work and started thinking, "Hmm.. I wonder if something is going on. Maybe I'll start timing just in case."
I opened up a new email and typed the time. Then again a little bit later. In between work, chatting with coworkers, walking to and from the bathroom (hello trampoline bladder!), I'd jot the times of those somethings in the email. Again and again.
I still have it saved in my draft email folder at work. I refuse to delete it, but I don't know what to do with it. I open it up every once in a while, recalling that day and those moments.
In honor of The Day Before, here's the body of that email:
841
900
914
936
1000
1007
1023
1035
1053
1101
1109
1123
1132
1138
1155
1211
1222
1229
1237
1246
1253
100
125
132
139
151
159
214
234
240
252
307
313
320
331
345
To everyone else it's just a list of numbers. To me, it's anticipation, excitement, and having NO IDEA how much life would change so soon.
Like just before dawn after a long, exhausting night. There's nothing like the light of day that can change your entire perspective.
I opened up a new email and typed the time. Then again a little bit later. In between work, chatting with coworkers, walking to and from the bathroom (hello trampoline bladder!), I'd jot the times of those somethings in the email. Again and again.
I still have it saved in my draft email folder at work. I refuse to delete it, but I don't know what to do with it. I open it up every once in a while, recalling that day and those moments.
In honor of The Day Before, here's the body of that email:
841
900
914
936
1000
1007
1023
1035
1053
1101
1109
1123
1132
1138
1155
1211
1222
1229
1237
1246
1253
100
125
132
139
151
159
214
234
240
252
307
313
320
331
345
To everyone else it's just a list of numbers. To me, it's anticipation, excitement, and having NO IDEA how much life would change so soon.
Like just before dawn after a long, exhausting night. There's nothing like the light of day that can change your entire perspective.
Monday, July 12, 2010
What a Difference a Week Makes
I grew up with a pool in my backyard. It was such a huge part of my childhood summers. Luckily, my sister Maureen and her family have a beautiful pool. When I thought about Desmond in the summertime, taking him to the pool in Braintree was the first thing that came to mind.
But before we threw him in the deep end, baby steps are in order. Time to fill up the kiddie pool!
Unfortunately, Des's first attempt was on a hot, cranky, 'DEVIL-HORNS-ARE-BURNING-THROUGH-MY-GUMS' teething kinda day. Hence...
Deanna is a brave woman for even attempting.
Needless to say that didn't go so well. But my dreams of having a pool baby were not dashed. We would not give up! One week later, and in a much better mood, we tried again.
Dude it is SO the same stuff! KICK-KICK-KICK-KICK.
So fun even mom had to join in:
But before we threw him in the deep end, baby steps are in order. Time to fill up the kiddie pool!
Unfortunately, Des's first attempt was on a hot, cranky, 'DEVIL-HORNS-ARE-BURNING-THROUGH-MY-GUMS' teething kinda day. Hence...
Deanna is a brave woman for even attempting.
Needless to say that didn't go so well. But my dreams of having a pool baby were not dashed. We would not give up! One week later, and in a much better mood, we tried again.
Whoa whoa whoa
Wait... Is this the same stuff from tubby time?
Dude it is SO the same stuff! KICK-KICK-KICK-KICK.
So fun even mom had to join in:
The second time around was much better. He even went in the big pool! In mommy's arms of course. Lots of curiosity, splashing, and no tears. Hoorah!
Next steps... Swim lessons, olympic medals, endorsement deals, and early retirement for mom and dad. Dream big kids!
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