Shoe shopping

Sick though Belle was (fever touching 103), we went out for a walk to get some fresh air today. The fresh air (and the Advil) seemed to be perking Belle up so I stopped by a nearby children's shoe store to get Belle sized for her first real pair of shoes. Boy, did she enjoy that! The helpful salesperson told me that she couldn't remember a baby as young as Belle getting both feet sized and trying two pair of shoes on without tears but with smiles! Indeed, if there was ever question as to whether Belle was a Levinson/Fradis/Abrahams, the pleasure she expressed while shoe shopping hushes those concerns.


(walking around to test out one pair of shoes)

(playing to test out a second possible pair of shoes)

The trip out was a nice break from the fever-induced sleeping that filled most of the rest of the weekend. Here, Belle is napping on my lap.

In her sick state, she sleeps best in my arms. I can't say I blame her clingy-ness- her fever has been high and relentless.

A trip to the doc is in store tomorrow...

Sick baby = snuggle time!

The bad news: Belle woke up this morning with a fever. The silver lining: she was so sleeping and snuggly that she and I spent a few hours this morning (on and off from 6am until after noon) snuggling and napping. It was the most restful morning we've had in months (the whole year maybe?). I actual felt well-rested when we finally began our shortly after noon when her fever went down. Sick babies are lethargic and clingy and needy and whiny. Belle was heavy on the three former and light on the latter and it made for a most cuddly, sleepful day.

If I couldn't bring her fever down (the Advil helped), at least I could keep her comfy and well-cuddled while the fever ran its course. I hope Belle's fever breaks and she quickly returns to her fully healthy state. If not, more snuggle-sleeping tomorrow.

Pony-tail

Thanks to cousin Diana, Belle has a new hair-do.

Day one of weaning

In an effort to wean Belle off the middle-of-the-day nursing session, I introduced her to cow's milk today. I offered her a sippy cup of milk instead of her nursing her before her afternoon nap. She was not interested in either the milk nor the nap. Eventually, I got her to take a few sips of milk through a straw that I put into an open cup of milk. She drank those few sips well, though didn't nap until after some time at the playground. She woke up from her nap cranky and hungry. Dinner went well, and was accompanied by another sip of milk.

It looks like I'll get to drink milk one sip at a time...

Highlight of the day? Belle started saying "Mama" and "Mom." She is just babbling (ie, she is not called me "mom"), but she can make the sound! I am so excited for her to call me "Mommy."

Sip....ah

In the Town of Thompson park:

Doing the Slides

We went to Riverside Park yesterday where Belle showed off her sliding skills. The videos were taken by another Mom who attends the Thursday morning music class with Seren.

Belle in the Park on her Bus

The Town of Thompson Park

On our way home from Ithaca, we figured we could drive about 2 hours before Belle would need a pit stop. Two hours from Ithaca, we ended up in Monticello and the neighboring town of Thompson which has a park we found thanks to the good people at Shoprite. The spot was just a grassy spot with some small trees and picnic tables. A small creek runs behind it.

And we were the only people there. Belle walked back and forth holding on to a new walking school bus she got (thank you to "Uncle" Arnie and "Aunt" Janine in Rochester). She was full of energy. And wasn't tired after walking the baby equivalent of miles. She walks like her mother - without regard to distance.

She dipped her feet in the creek and then went back to walking. This kid is going to love the wide open spaces of suburbia.

The purpose of our stop was to give Belle so room to move and tire her out so she would nap well on the second leg of our trip back home to NYC. Mission accomplished.

The happiest place on Earth

Nope- it's not Disney Land. It's Wegmans!

Craig had a mini-man-spa experience: he went to his old barber shop for a shave and a haircut ("two bit"- it was more than two bits, but that's how the ditty goes). After we dropped Craig off, Belle and I went to Wegmans! We walked around and smiled at fellow happy shoppers. Then we settled into the candy department. There is a toy train that goes around and around it- how fun! Belle sat and played with the candy (she especially enjoyed taking apart the Pez display, which I promptly reassembled). Between the bright colors, friendly shoppers and toy train, Belle was one happy little girl. I sipped my Weggies coffee and wished we lived closer to the most wonderful supermarket ever.


(see my purple Wegmans coffee on the right and the toy train in the upper left corner)

(Here Belle disassembles the Pez disperser display case- what fun!)


After, we picked Craig up, we three went beer tasting at the Ithaca Beer Co. Well, only two of tasted the beer. Belle walked around and made friends with the other Ithaca Beer fans.




Lunch at the famous vegetarian Moosewood Restaurant followed by playing in the park with our newlywed friends, and it was one super fantastic vacation day.

Newlyweds and birthday boy

Happy Birthday, Craig!

We spent today with the newlyweds from last weekend's Syracuse wedding. We explored the Ithaca Commons (downtown shopping area) and then picnicked at the Cornell Plantations, where we took this picture. After, while Belle napped, we spent some time on campus so the boys (Craig and Travis) could reminisce about their college days together (they lived together all four years at Cornell).

Later, after Belle went to sleep and her babysitter arrived (thanks to our friend for the introduction), we four enjoyed a lovely birthday dinner. We sat outside and enjoyed a street performer play her harp while we ate and talked.

So, the newlyweds and Craig celebrated while Belle made us all smile. I just enjoyed the good company.

Ithaca Sciencenter and more

For the first time, we visited a museum/attraction for Belle. the Ithaca Sciencenter had a special section just for little ones under the age of four. After spending time there, we took Belle all over the center. She enjoyed seeing and sometimes even touching exhubits, and really loved crawling and exploring while watching the other kids run around. It was a great activity for a semi-rainy day. I am pretty sure Craig had the most fun at the Sciencenter, but it was certainly a worthwhile visit.



We also visited three Wegmans in as many days (Dewitt/Syracuse, Pittsford/Rochester and Itahca). The massive supermarket is like Disney Land to me. While Belle was fine in the grocery store on her father's shoulders, she didn't seem to want to ride in the Wegman's wagon shopping cart. Maybe next time.

Cornell Class of '02 (and '32?)

In front of the famous clocktower on the Cornell campus.

Then enjoying the view of Ithaca from the patio at Willard Straight Hall.

Cones for all (ice cream for some)

En route to Ithaca from Rochester, we stopped at Cayuga Creamery. Craig and I enjoyed ice cream cones, while Belle played with and ate an empty kiddie wafer cone.

Belle stands on her own- a photo spread

In Binghamtom, en route to Syracuse, Belle went from sitting to a bear-crawl position to standing on her own! Playing with Daddy at a random rest area sure is fun :)

Superhuman Strength

Binghamton gives it to Belle. She stood up by herself, without any support while exercising on a rest break.

Hi from binghamton

Just taking a food break on our way to syracuse. Belle's enjoying the upstate air.

Beyonce as babysitter

While Craig and got ready this morning, Beyonce's "Single Ladies" music video proved great for safely occupying Belle.

Climbing stairs

Belle is becoming quite the climber.

How am I ever going to leave NYC?

Emma Roberts, Chord Overstreet, Dianna Agron, my former roommate Laura and I are at The Beacon Theatre enjoying a Matthew Morrison concert. Guest appearance by N'Sync's JC. A super fun, if cheesey, evening.

How am I ever going to leave New York City?

In the past week, I've auditioned for a reality TV show (because you only live once, which is what I told myself when I agreed to appear in Glamour Magazine in a tankini and then go on Good Morning America in a bikini), witnessed a federal judge get sworn in, enjoyed walks in Central and Riverside Parks, spotted celebrities, walked to great bars and restaurants, and attended tonight's fun concert.

I have come home after exciting evenings out to a sweet but teething, poorly-sleeping baby with whom I share a bedroom.

Moving out of Manhattan will most certainly be bitter sweet.

Our first lost pacifier (a bad mom day)

Belle started our walk without a pacifier, but I relented and gave her the pacifier part way through Central Park. Somehow, the pacifier was gone when the walk ended. Two walking friends confirmed that Belle's yellow pacifier is indeed somewhere in Central Park.

Our first lost pacifier in 11 months.

Later, on the same trip out, I realized that the squeaky teething toy Belle had been playing with when we left the grocery store was no longer in her stroller. After her nap, I retraced my steps the ten blocks back Citarella, but could not find the toy anywhere (not that I would have give then teether back to Belle had I found it...I just felt bad that I let Belle lose a toy- and a pacifier on the same day). This happened before Belle fell while trying to climb on a Cherrios box and accidentally bit her lip (damn teeth: they hurt coming in and they are hazardous once they've finally grown in). I had been playing next to Belle, letting her try walking, climbing and exploring when she fell. It was an unfortunate boo boo for little Belle.

Today was not a good mom day for me.