Thankful Thursday

For hope

For water bottles

For chocolate chip cookies

For toddler belly laughs

For secrets

Overheard

Teddy: (pulling on his ear) Ear!! Ear off!

 Me: Buddy, you can't take your ear off.

 Approximately 2.43 seconds later.
Teddy: (waving his hand around) Hand off! Hand off!

 Me: You can't take your hand off either, bud.

 (Filed under "hilarious things I never thought about" and "life with a toddler")

Thankful Thursday

For new wheels

For old sneakers

For worn, ripped jeans

For first gardens

For last days of winter

A NYC Morning

We've had lots of family visitors over the past few weeks/weekends. Teddy has loved all the attention, especially from his Papa and Pop-Pop. When my parents were in town, we decided to venture to another children's museum (I was hoping for anything better than our last experience!).

First we stopped by a playground in Central Park and attempted a grandchild/grandparent picture. Here is the best one:

After we made it into the Children's Museum of Manhattan, Teddy seemed to have a blast. The theme of the visit was wheels. Seriously, this kid could not be pulled away!

I got him to try the alphabet alligator for a few minutes, but then it was back to wheels.

After lunch at a random "kid-friendly tavern" (oxymoron, much? ah well, we were the only patrons, so I wasn't too worried), we headed home. A very successful trip into the city!

Thankful Thursday

For family visits

For helpful co-workers

For spray paint

For new music

For home videos

Leaves

I'm riding the train into work for what feels like the umpteenth time. It's springtime and last week I enjoyed the white blossoms in Harlem. Today, however, I notice the green leaves in their place. Seemingly small and slightly translucent, leaves nonetheless. When did the white flowers blow away, I wonder. Amidst the passing train, day after day, the changes were happening.

I'm watching a video of you and I. You, repeating the alphabet; me, cheering you on. And I'm struck by many things as I watch. The way you sit, nestled into me as though you have known the space between my hip and shoulder your whole life. The way I carry 10 extra pounds on my frame. The way I look at you - for a split second I am outside of myself and I am proud of that mother. You can see the love in her eyes, I think. And in a flash I remember - I am her.

I always think this will be year the I will take note of the very day the leaves bud. But I fail, year after year. The days slip by and I miss the changes as they are happening. These first days and years of my motherhood have passed, as springtime, swiftly. When the white flowers of my girlhood changed into green leaves of motherhood I will never know. I have noted so many of your changes, and perhaps half of mine. So many of them seemingly small and slightly translucent. But leaves, nonetheless.

Thankful Thursday

For part-time work

For homemade cakes

For nap-time

For ballet flats

For a night out with friends + sangria

18 Months & Things

1. Watching you learn is my new favorite hobby.
2. Every once in a while I catch myself watching you do something mundane (carrying 3 cars at once or walking down the stairs holding only one of my hands) and I think, "when did you learn to do that?" When you were a newborn, everything seemed like a notable feat. Now these simple milestones pass by so quickly and unnoticed.
3. I can tell that numbers and letters are starting to interest you; you will repeat most of them pretty accurately these days.
4. You can discriminate between red, yellow, green, and blue.
5. I've started asking permission to wipe your chin after meals and you seem to really appreciate having some say in this task.
6. You said your first official two-word phrase the other day and I about died from the cuteness and my pride. As if I had anything to do with it! Ha.

"Chuck! Areyou!"

7. You love helping me grocery shop. You insist on inspecting every veggie and box, and then will throw it behind you into the cart (you are at about 89% accuracy).
8. Your (and my and Dada's) belly is your new favorite body part.
9. Your second haircut occurred this month. You were the picture of patience and stillness. I was the picture of pure shock.

10. I sneak peas into your mac and cheese. You only spit out every fifth bite. This is success in terms of toddler eating behavior.
11. When you decide on your mission (Must. Get. Ball. NOW.) you run with purpose.
12. You are now the third generation to ride Rowdy the horse with wild abandon.
13. You can navigate the iPad with amazing accuracy. You've even taught us a few finger-swipe maneuvers. I now know how my parents felt when I understood instant messaging better than they did.
14. Trees blowing in the wind scare you.
15. You have inherited a deep love for ice cream from both your Papa and Pop-Pop.
16. You're wearing a size 5 diaper, size 6 shoe, and size 18-24 months clothes.
17. This last year and a half I'm not sure if you have grown the most or if I have.
18. You have mastered the word "no" and head shake. Ah, let the good times begin!

The blur is worth that smile