Upside down shades

"Pease," Plurals, and Parties

1. I taught Belle a new word: Please. I was tired of Belle reaching and whining so I asked her to say, "please" instead of whining when she wants something. I learned that Belle is a quick study (though she pronounces it "pease"), and also that I am a total softee. Now, whenever Belle sweetly says, "pease," I give her whatever it is that she wants. Her voice is so sweet and her "pease" is so cute that she has me wrapped around her teensie weensie finger. A prune before dinner, "pease." OK! A bite of Mommy's rice cake, "pease." You got it, Belle. In my defensive, she usually repeats her "pease" several times in a totally non-whiny way. I argue that even a tougher mom (any other parent, really- I am such a pushover) would struggle to say no to Belle's adorable "Pease. Pease. Pease."

2. Belle is adding new words to her vocabulary daily. Interestingly, she has a tendency to pluralize most nouns. For instance, Belle does not say "bye bye." She instead says, "byes" (perhaps a shortcut, since "bye" is actually two "byes"). Often, Craig and I are "Daddys" and "Mommys," though we're each just one person (maybe it's Belle's version of the royal we?). Anyway, she's talking and we understand, so it's all just fine(s).

3. When we moved into our new house, a few people asked us if we moved onto the party block. I learned that the "party block" is the next block down from where we live, and they are dubbed the party block because of the block party they have annually for which they close off their one block and bring in a fire truck. While we are actually a few houses in from THE party block, our whole street is pretty friendly. When the weather was nice last week, Belle and I went out for walks nearly every day. We always made friends with neighboring children and dogs on these walks. On Tuesday, we found a half dozen kids playing in one neighbor's yard (on the party block proper). On Wednesday, we met Leo whom Belle hugged when we said our "byes." On Friday, we were invited in to someone's home for an impromptu playdate. I look forward to more neighborhood fun as the weather warms and we are outside more. While we don't live on the party block, our street feels like a party to me.

Happy birthday, Great-Grandma Maxine!

How much Belle has grown since Gaga's birthday last year!

Elementary School, and "Hug!"

1.       Yesterday I helped chaperone a high school choir field trip.  We went to three of the five White Plains elementary schools and performed a brief concert.  I found myself stunned by the elementary school students.  I couldn’t believe that my high school students were once that small, not can I comprehend that Belle will one day be that big.

2.       Belle is talking more and more each day.  For a while, my favorite word in Belle’s vocabulary was of course “Mommy.”  Now I have a new favorite word: “hug” (which sounds more like “huck”).  This morning, while Belle enjoyed her milk and a snuggle (we bring Belle into bed with us while she drinks her milk every morning), she suddenly turned to me and said, “hug,” and then threw her arms around me. What a wonderful start to the day.

 

An Office Visit

Belle's visits to Daddy's office now require her to contribute a bit. So far so good. (In the top picture, on the monitor is "Oh What a Beautiful Morning" from "Oklahoma!"

It's great fun to think how far Belle has come in her visits to the federal courthouses. See here.

"Before the Parade Passes By"

Eric visits, but Belle is more mesmerized by the Sound Shore St. Patrick's Day Parade on Mamaroneck Ave. In Mamaroneck.

A playdate in the country

7 of my Walking Mom friends (with their 8 babies) took a field trip from Manhattan's Upper West Side to White Plains for a playdate! It was the most fun massive chaos that our new home has seen to date. A real last!

Hugging cousins

Belle's first drive

Helpful

Belle is in the bedroom most mornings when I make our bed. I never thought much about Belle watching me make the bed. Anyway, I was finishing making the bed this morning. When I turned around to put the three decorative pillows on the bed, I found Belle standing holding one of the pillows. She handed it to me, then went to pick up and give me the second and then the third decorative pillow. So helpful! I wonder if she'll be able to help mow the lawn by spring.

Belle, 12-18 Months

Belle's life, from August 29, 2011 until February 29, 2012. Just click on the photo to see them.

Reading with Aunt Carla and Uncle Joe

"The future's so bright, I gotta wear shades"

4 Generations

18-months and growing

Belle reached her 18-month milestone on this year's Leap Day, and we went to her pediatrician for a regularly-scheduled check-up. Belle is totally healthy and made sure that everyone in the office knew that her lungs were in tact.

Belle weighs 23.5 pounds, which puts her in the 45th percentile for weight, and she is 34 inches tall, which is nearly 95th percentile (she remains tall and thin). Her head had grown quite a bit- all those brain- as it is now 18.5cm (60th percentile). An interesting shift reflecting her development: Belle received her two shots in her arms, instead of her thighs, since she walks so much now.

Despite Belle's screaming and crying, the doctor determined that Belle is growing well and is healthy. Scream all you want, Belle, but stay healthy and developing properly.

Pre-potting training

On Saturday afternoon, Belle walked over to diaper bag, removed one
diaper, the wipes and the A+D. She took those items to the playroom
where she put them down, and then lay herself down on the ground next
to them. We got the message, so Craig then went in to the room and
changed Belle's diaper.

The next day, Belle walked up to us while we were sitting enjoying
brunch with friends at our place. Belle pointed to her tuschy and
said, "ugh." Craig asked if she had a poopy in her diaper and she
pointed again to her tuschy and again made her cute sound. Sure
enough, Belle had a dirty diaper.

Could potty-training be on the horizon?

Belle and her friends

Belle and her friends (my NYC walking moms' kids):

(L-R)

Charlie, an unhappy Belle, Marc, Dorothy, Jenny, Marielle, Gemma

Who needs a house keeper?

Belle and I make a good cleaning team. She followed me around the house Swiffering our hard wood floors. She seriously grabbed the Swiffer and eagerly pushed it around the dining room (pictured below). I can't imagine where she learned to clean compulsively ;)

Early morning dancing with Daddy

"Daddy!"

Belle's favorite word is Daddy. She will look at me with her sweet smile and say happily, "Daddy!" Though I correct her and explain that I am not Daddy but Mommy, she giggles and again declares, "Daddy!" When I read Belle a book in which Mommy comes running to give Bobo the monkey a hug, Belle pointed to Bobo's monkey mommy and said, "Daddy!"
So, Belle is talking, but Daddy seems to mean parent to Belle. Luck Craig.
Someday, Belle will call me “Mommy,” right?

A Day at the Museum

I didn't realize I hadn't posted about this. Last Monday, in honor of Lincoln's Birthday, Belle and I went to the Museum of Natural History in New York. Grandma Helene met us there. We saw all the mammals, the whale and the underwater room, and, of course, the dinosaurs (which she even touched). It was loads of fun.

A Day in Stamford

With day care lady on vacation this week, Wednesday was Daddy's day to watch Belle all day. Belle woke up at 8am, and after that, we went to the playground around the corner to start the day.



Then, we went to see Aunt Carol and Grandma Ann in Stamford. Here are some pictures from our day:







Among the highlights were a chocolate chocolate chip cookie, a walk with Aunt Carol and Grandma Ann and playing in the plant outside Aunt Carol's house.

A Visitor to the Courthouse

Not Belle, but Sen. Schumer held a press conference on the courthouse steps yesterday.  Here's an article about it.

"Cup"...sort of...

This afternoon, Belle pointed to her sippy cup and said, "cup!"
I responded excitedly, "did you just say 'cup?!'"
To this, Belle smiled and replied, "Mup! Up! Uppie, uppie, uppie."

So, um, I guess the whole "cup" thing was a coincidence. Anyway, the exchange ended with a snuggly hug, so I'm smiling.

Getting Ready for Bed

With her new book.  Belle loves carrying around and reading her books.  Little Engine that Could is a favorite.

Playing

Belle is an extraordinary toddler in that she is happy to play with her books and toys. She doesn't need a playmate or a snack or music or flashing lights. While I prepared her dinner and tomorrow's lunches, Belle read to herself (she sort of sings while she turns the pages) and then stacked cups. I am grateful that Belle is so content to play by herself, and that she plays so nicely. Play away, Belle!

Ludwig van Belle-toven

Or Wolfgang Amadeas Belle-zart.

Belle really enjoys the piano in Grandma and Grandpa's house.

I believe we've met before

At the Museum of Natural History, Belle saw an old friend she recognized, the polar bear.  She has a polar bear at home with whom she enjoys playing (more pictures to come).

Happy Birthday Abe

In honor of Abe's birthday on February 13, Belle and I met the man. She was a little confused because he wasn't moving so much. This was on the way to the Museum of Natural History.

Belle and Leila

Go Jumbos, the next generation.

Joe Cool at 7am

Belle and Stella at WPHS 2

Remember back in November when Belle and Stella played while their parents' school play performed? Well, the winter play went up at WPHS and the two girls got together again. This time, they interacted more. Adorable!


"What's in your lunch bag, Belle?":




"I have a sippy cup just like yours!":

Hold on a sec

I'm on the phone.

Squash Soup Night

Belle enjoyed the homemade soup. She got a lot on her because, as you can see, she hasn't yet mastered the art of the spoon.

Go Giants!

Belle celebrated the Super Bowl victory today.  She even watched most of the first half.

PB&J for dinner

And it got everywhere.

Future juggler

Gaga (Great-Grandma Maxine) visited on Friday:



Belle enjoyed carrying three balls when she walked her laps around the house. That's some balance!

Superbowl XLVI

Craig and Belle cheer for the NY Giants.