Nora’s eventful April

This month, Nora was a social butterfly. She met up with some other moms and babies in Memorial Park:

She went to a 1st Year Anniversary & New Product Launch Party at Bee Spa & Retail Store. Here’s a pic of Nora and her friends kibitzing at the event:

She went for walks with buddies like Jocelyn, Laura and Vivien and Karen and Alon. Here’s a pic of Nora and Alon:

Nora made some bold fashion choices this month (pictured below) including a psychedelic print, a strawberry dress, red shorts that give her a British paigeboy sort of look, and a romantic flowered headband:

She relaxed with her Mommy and Daddy on the porch on a warm, spring-like evening:

She traveled far and beyond to visit our families in Delaware and Boston. Here she is, hanging with her cousins, Caitlin, Leah and Morgan the dog:

And this week, she took not one but two trips to the city (and outer boroughs) to visit Nicole and Dan in Queens, and Michelle and 5-week-old Henry. Here’s a picture of Nora and Henry. She’s hiding in the back, playing hard-to-get. You know how it is — don’t want to seem too eager around those boys!

What a month!

Baby lingo

Have you ever noticed that we use certain lingo when talking about babies that we’d never use in reference to adults? Here are some examples of how it might sound if we did:

1)      I know a guy I could set you up with. He’s got the cutest chubby thighs, an adorable round belly and a double chin to die for.

2)      Why don’t you toddle over to Subway and grab me a turkey sandwich?

3)      Hey, nice burp, Larry. That was a good one.

4)      I apologize for my husband’s behavior – he’s a little bit fussy today.

5)      You have insomnia? Have you considered swaddling yourself with your arms in?

6)      Wow Betty, look at how you hold up your own head. Nice going.

7)      You might be depressed, but it’s also possible you are just colicky.

8)      Hey, honey, how was work? And what color and consistency was your poop today?

9)      You seem cranky, Martha. Perhaps this is because you are tired or just a little bit gassy? Or perhaps you are teething?

10)   At my last doctor’s appointment, he measured me 6 feet long and said my head circumference was in the seventy fifth percentile.

11)   You want to grab some coffee and catch up – maybe chat, coo and babble about old times?

12)   You’ve got something on your chin. Oh, it’s okay, it’s just spit up. Can I get you a burp cloth?

13)   I thought I’d take mother out for her birthday, maybe sign us up for a Mommy and Me yoga class.

14)   I use Head & Shoulders because I have cradle cap.

15)   Those socks are so cute, Evelyn. I love how they’re designed to look like shoes.

16)   The agenda for today? Two meetings in the morning, a nap, a feeding and some tummy time in the afternoon.

I might just adopt some of these phrases. I particularly love the idea of referring to people as “fussy.” Can you think of any other baby talk that would sound silly in reference to adults?

New parent activities in Rockland County, New York

There is so much going on for new parents in Rockland County, there’s no time to be bored. Here’s a list of some of the activities I’ve found.

* Note: I teach a prenatal yoga class at the Union Arts Center in Sparkill, NY. For more information, please visit send me a message or visit http://www.moonrivermotherandchild.com/vlt22343.htm.

 

1)      Parents of Infants Group – at Rockland Parent Child Center

http://www.rocklandparentchild.org/programs/early-childhood-parent-child-programs/

“Parents/caregivers of infants come relax in our comfortable living room. Use the time to de-stress, ask questions and share this extraordinary time with others in a similar situation. Gain information about your growing baby and issues of importance to you, your child and your family. A group facilitator provides a welcoming atmosphere where parent and infant can interact and connect, and models age appropriate infant interaction. Visiting specialists provide information on nutrition, infant care and development, and the facilitator and parents provide links to community resources.”

When: 1-3 pm, Mondays & Thursdays, September – June
Ages: birth – 12 months
Registration information:$12 per session

2)      Music Together

http://moonrivermotherandchild.com/vlt22251.htm

What is Music Together?
“Music Together is an innovative music and movement program for children ages newborn to age five years and their parents or caregivers, that is based on the belief that all children are inherently musical. Originally offered to the public in 1987, it pioneered the concept of a research-based, developmentally appropriate early childhood music curriculum that strongly emphasizes and facilitates adult involvement.

All Children Are Musical!
At Music Together we believe that music ability is as basic to life as walking or talking, and that it is every child’s birthright to participate with pleasure and confidence in the music of our culture. We introduce children to the joys of making music instead of passively receiving it from Cd’s and television. And because very young children instinctively respond to and imitate their loved ones, the active participation of parents and caregivers, regardless of their musical ability – is an essential part of the rich musical environment we create. Music Together parents discover what a powerful role model they are for their child, just by having fun with the music themselves! And by providing cd’s and songbooks to take home, we hope to inspire music-making in your everyday family life.”

3)      Postnatal Yoga – at Lift Yoga in Nyack

http://liftnyack.com/

“Nyack Yoga is so excited to announce our New Postnatal Yoga Class for Moms and Babies (under 1/pre-walkers)!”

When: Mondays 10:30-11:45am
Starts: March 5th
Where: Nyack Yoga @ 42 Main
Instructor: Catherine Moon Rubin

Cost: $20 Drop in
10 Class Card (expires in 12 weeks): $150
4 Class Card (expires in 4 weeks): $60
You may also use the LIFT card as a method of payment. This also
brings the price down to $15 per class. This card does not expire.

4)      Mommy & Me Yoga – at Yoga Haven in Tuckahoe, NY (this is in Westchester County, not Rockland, but I wanted to include it since it’s such a fabulous studio.)

www.yogahaven.com

“For mothers and newborns, one month to one year after birth includes stretching and toning for the new mom, breathing techniques, deep relaxation and sharing. Attendance at prenatal yoga classes is not a prerequisite.”

Wednesdays 11:15-12:15pm in Tuckahoe

Taught by Debi Mancuso

Questions regarding Mommy & Me Yoga please contact debiyogahaven@aol.com.

Your First Class $10  Drop-in Class $20 5 Class Card $80 (expires in 4 months) 10 Class Card $150 (expires in 4 months)  20 Class Card $260 (expires in 4 months) 50 Class Card $525 (expires in 10 months) 1 Month Unlimited $140 3 Month Unlimited $345 6 Month Unlimited $600 Kids 8th Grade & Under $12 Teens $15

5)      Mother Goose Time – at Nyack Public Library

https://ny.evanced.info/nyack/lib/eventcalendar.asp

Event Type: Children’s Program
Date: 4/4/2012 (and other Wednesdays)
Start Time: 11:00 AM
End Time: 11:30 AM

Description:

“For infants up to 18 months with caregiver. This lap-sit program is a gentle way to introduce your baby to the library. We will read simple stories and do rhymes, songs and finger plays.
No registration necessary.”

59 South Broadway, Nyack NY 10960
Location: Children’s Story Hour Room
Contact: Children’s Room
Contact Number: 845.358.3370 x228

6)      The Breastfeeding Cafe & New Mom Support Group – at Lift Yoga in Nyack

http://liftnyack.com/

“We are so loving this amazing group of beautiful new mamas and babies!   Each week we offer a different topic as a jumping off ground for discussion. But we never stay on topic …. as we laugh, smile and even cry a bit through all kinds of fun and informative conversation!  And each week we end with a guided relaxation & gentle touch ritual to help bring calm and routine to your evenings and nap times.”

Join us every Wednesday

10:30am – 12pm

$120 for 8 wks advance

$20/wk drop in

7)      New Mommy Friendship Circle – JCC Rockland, West Nyack NY

http://jccrockland.org/parentingcenterprograms.htm

Wed May 23, 2012 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM and Wed Jun 20, 2012 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM

Community Member	$25.00
Fitness Member	$25.00
Public	$30.00

8)      Play at the J– JCC Rockland, West Nyack NY

Jan 25, 2012 to Jun 20, 2012
Wed 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
FREE

Jan 24, 2012 to Jun 19, 2012
Tues 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM
FREE

9)      Rockland Mommies

Check out the “Rockland Mommies” Facebook page for information about moms’ activities and nights out.

—

* My friend Ashley also suggested I added the Mommy and Me swim class at the YMCA: http://www.rocklandymca.org/aquatics/aquatics_main.htm

Good call!

* And here’s another addition! Bring Your Baby Matinees on the first Tuesday of every month!

http://www.amctheatres.com/programs/bring-your-baby

* And check out this Facebook page: “Rockland Parents Social Group”

Wildcat Phase

Happy 3 month birthday, Nora bear!

DIY butterfly mobile and a hurricane story

It’s the morning of Saturday, August 27, 2011. I’m four months pregnant and starting to feel the impulse to nest.

Hurricane Irene will approach New York in a few hours. We and all of our neighbors have stored all porch furniture, brought our outdoor plants inside, removed chimes and locked windows. We’ve filled the bathtub and stocked the cabinets with cereal, cans of tuna fish and trail mix. We’ve placed flashlights and battery operated candles in various places around the house.  The news is recycling the same clips over and over again, including yesterday’s sunbathers soaking up rays in Asbury Park and Governor Christie scolding them, “Get the hell off the beach.”

Our neighbors wave and smile at us as we hop in the car and head off to AC Moore to buy supplies for our craft project: a butterfly mobile for the nursery, and to pick up the one preparatory item we forgot: D batteries. It’s raining sideways now, the sky looks sort of orange, and there’s a buzz and excitement in the air as we all wait for what’s to come.

The parking lot at AC Moore is already a small lake. Kevin and I don’t find any D batteries, of course. It seems everyone else in Rockland County has had the same idea. The checkout lines are long, families with carts full of crayons, scrapbook materials and jewelry supplies. The power keeps going out in the store and the credit card machines aren’t working so we pay in cash for our supplies.

Our hands hurt from cutting out butterflies from morning until night while the rain gushes and trees sway against the side of the house.

It’s nighttime and so far, we’re in the clear in terms of hurricane damage – we haven’t lost power yet. Exhausted, we leave our strands of butterflies on the table and go to bed. I can’t sleep. Before pregnancy, I used to sleep flat on my stomach with arms and legs splayed out and I can’t quite seem to get used to my side. The wind has picked up outside and we can hear tree branches cracking. I look up at the skylight, at the tree that hovers above the house, taunting us, scratching at the window. I’m afraid the tree is going to fall on us and crush us. When I do finally fall asleep, I dream that I’m in high school at a party at a friend’s parents’ house. Water is climbing up the back porch and we’re stranded inside, but everyone there is drunk, having a good time and asking me why I’m overreacting. I remember then, in the dream , that I have a baby at home that I need to get to.

I turn over at 5am and see Kevin’s eyes are open too. “Maybe we should check on the house,” I say.

Kevin puts on his shoes and treks down to the basement to find this:

Oh no! Two feet of water!

While Kevin bales water into the washing machine, I work on the butterfly project. I’d help Kevin but it’s probably not a good idea for me to be pregnant, bending and lifting heavy water and I’m worried about mold in the basement.

We don’t have a head flashlight, but Kevin crafts one with duct tape and a hat:

It becomes clear that Kevin can’t keep up with the rising water so we call the fire company. A fireman come over to assess our basement and walk through our family room where he finds scraps of paper, strands of butterflies and some of the other crafts we’d been working on for the nursery (see my last post on DIY cartoon drawings).

“Looks like you kept yourself busy,” he says.

He says he will come back in a few hours to drain out the basement. He wants to wait for it to stop raining and we’re only one in a long list of people who need assistance. We work on our project while we wait for them to return. It’s a nice way to pass the time.

Finally, we finish! Here’s a picture of the final product:

Eventually the rain dies down. Kevin discovers a few hours later that the basement has drained on its own. Whew! We open the door and step out onto the porch to find a dark sky and branches down all over the neighborhood. We lose power for two days after that, but we’re lucky. The damage is nothing compared to what some friends have gone through in Vermont and parts of New Jersey.

In the end, we have something to show for our cabin fever. Here’s a picture of the butterfly mobile in Nora’s nursery.

(Here’s the crafty footnote of the story. This DIY project was modeled after the Pottery Barn Kids mobile which has been discontinued. Props to Project Nursery for their butterfly mobile design: http://projectnursery.com/2010/01/butterfly-mobile/. Visit their site to find all of the instructions and supplies you will need to do this project on your own. You’re hands will be sore, but in the end, it’ll be worth it!)

DIY cartoon drawings for the nursery

If you’re new to our blog, welcome. If you’ve been here before, you may have noticed our new header and perhaps you are wondering, who are these fine cartoon fellows? They are Nora’s good friends, (especially Mr. Owl. She reserves a special smile for him.)

This was a little project Kevin and I took on ourselves, and I think they add a personal touch to her nursery.

Here’s how we did it:

We drew the animals in pencil first, finding some inspiration online by googling “cartoon elephant,” “cartoon monkey,” etc.

We went over each outline with a black Micron pen and then colored it in with Prismacolor markers.

We had each drawing laminated at Kinko’s and then taped it to neutral colored matte from Michael’s.

Then, we punched two holes in either side of the matte, threaded ribbon through the holes and tied it in a bow.

We staggered the pictures and hung them on the wall right over her changing table like so:

I feel a little bad that Mr. Lamb didn’t make it onto the header.

It was only because we ran out of room but we love him!

Here are the other guys:

And here’s another look at the header we photoshopped:

It is pretty cool to see Nora start to notice them and smile at them.

Can you guess which ones are mine and which ones are Kevin’s?

Nora’s first laugh

Oh joy! It really starts to get fun now. Over the past two weeks, I’ve heard Nora make a few laugh-like sounds, but never a full on giggle like this one. Kevin got right on it and swooped in with the video camera.