Much to the amusement of our friends, Newmommy and I had a mini "vacation" to New York City this past weekend. I used the quotes around "vacation" (and, had I been talking to you in person, I would have done the "air quotes") as, technically, a trip to NYC is not a vacation to a Jerseyite. Still, it was a great time...had "lights" and "darks" at this bar, got a chance to finally see a movie in the theater (Borat was the last one Newmommy and I saw together), and, most importantly, got a chance to see this guy at a comedy club (no, not Larry David, the other guy, who was hysterical).
The end of the weekend comes, and we are reunited with Bud. Bud's face lit up when she saw us...and then, for the rest of the day, it was all about Mommy. Mommy! Mommy! Mommy! Hey male provider, who the heck are you?
Now, I'm not surprised. Newmommy spends every day with her; and I only get weekends and a sliver of time on weekdays if I manage to catch a decent NJ Transit train home, and the train has no delays (ha!) Still, it's tough.
I don't want to come off as a complainer here...it's not like Bud doesn't get excited to see me. (Yes, I see the double negative...shut up.) The best part of my day (on the days Bud is awake) is when I get home and see Bud. Bud jumps up and screams "DADDY!" like fifty clowns, twenty Elmos and Dora the Explora herself came through the door. And, if I'm there when Bud wakes up, "Daddy" is usually her first word. So, I guess Bud's not really playing favorites. But it is hard to compete when you're competition is a woman who spends her entire day feeding and entertaining your child.
P.S. Finally, finally, finally...a new baseball season begins tomorrow. The Yankees don't start until Monday afternoon, but in the meantime, at least for tomorrow and at least in Japan, I'll be an Oakland fan. GO A's!
Showing posts with label Holiday Road. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Holiday Road. Show all posts
Monday, March 24, 2008
Sunday, November 11, 2007
Reunited (and it feels so good)
Newnana and Newgrampy pull up to our house at about 10:30am with Bud in the car. After not seeing her for about six days now, Newmommy and I run down the stairs, trying to get an edge on the other so we could see her first. It was like being on a second-grade lunch line. We had obviously not seen the grandparents either, but we nearly knocked them over on our way to see Bud. (Out of my way, whoever you are...)
Bud looks different. She's grown so much in a week. She also looks congested and uncomfortable. But, she looks at me and says "dada." No, she did not forget about me! Woohoo.
The next week was difficult, and the reason, we ultimately found out, was that she had Roseola. Which islike penne except longer something kids get, which starts as a +103 fever, and ends with a body rash. Finding out that news actually put us a ease, as its a common sickness that goes away, but until we found out what it was, Bud just wasn't herself. Yes, she was sick. Yes, we were in a new house. Yes, we had been gone and now we're back and she's probably confused. Lots was going on. Yet, it was hard not to think that we somehow upset her, and she was holding it against us.
Luckily, as soon as the rash went away, she was back to smiles, strawberries and her obsession with Laurie Berkner.
Bud looks different. She's grown so much in a week. She also looks congested and uncomfortable. But, she looks at me and says "dada." No, she did not forget about me! Woohoo.
The next week was difficult, and the reason, we ultimately found out, was that she had Roseola. Which is
Luckily, as soon as the rash went away, she was back to smiles, strawberries and her obsession with Laurie Berkner.
Sunday, November 04, 2007
Vacation Days 4 & 5: Sick & Sicker
Vacation Day 4 was more of the same: chillaxin' in the sun with the occasional (ok, more than just 'occasional') Belashi...which is Aruban for beer. (Apparently, they don't have a website, and apparently "Belashi" is also a town in Kazakhstan. Yegshemesh!)
Vacation Night 4 was game four of the MLB World Series. I don't need to recap the tragic events, but lets just say the eight inning marked a true low for Yankees fans. As we were watching the giant World Series foot heading in slow motion toward our collective left nut, A-Rob/Scott Boras gave us a quick shot to the right one. We're going to need an icepack the size of the Bronx to get us through the very, very long winter.
And then, on day five, we got the real bad news: Bud has a fever. (Yes, I do have some perspective). We found out in the early evening and were set to fly home the next day, so an earlier flight would not have made much of a difference. Still, we were in Aruba and wanted nothing more than to hop a flight and take care of Bud. We both felt trapped. What's more, we've been, so far, really lucky, and Bud has not yet had a fever...and this one topped 103, so needless to say, we really wanted to get home.
The flights from Aruba to Newark (via San Juan) are somewhere around 5 hours total; but it felt like a week. The last time I was on a Caribbean flight that felt that long, it was because the movie was "Rumor Has It." Ugghh....
Vacation Night 4 was game four of the MLB World Series. I don't need to recap the tragic events, but lets just say the eight inning marked a true low for Yankees fans. As we were watching the giant World Series foot heading in slow motion toward our collective left nut, A-Rob/Scott Boras gave us a quick shot to the right one. We're going to need an icepack the size of the Bronx to get us through the very, very long winter.
And then, on day five, we got the real bad news: Bud has a fever. (Yes, I do have some perspective). We found out in the early evening and were set to fly home the next day, so an earlier flight would not have made much of a difference. Still, we were in Aruba and wanted nothing more than to hop a flight and take care of Bud. We both felt trapped. What's more, we've been, so far, really lucky, and Bud has not yet had a fever...and this one topped 103, so needless to say, we really wanted to get home.
The flights from Aruba to Newark (via San Juan) are somewhere around 5 hours total; but it felt like a week. The last time I was on a Caribbean flight that felt that long, it was because the movie was "Rumor Has It." Ugghh....
Thursday, November 01, 2007
Vacation Days 2 & 3: What I Did on Bud-cation
"I did absolutely nothing, and it was everything I thought it could be." - Peter Gibbons, Office Space
Not exactly, although I did log quite a few hours sitting on the beach drinking fruity umbrella drinks and chasing invisible penguins. Not, wait, scratch the penguins, although I did have a few "Aruba Arribas" while reading "The Year of Living Biblically" by A.J. Jacobs, a self-described Jew who is as Jewish as "the Olive Garden is an Italian Restaurant." The author spends a year living the bible as literally as possible: it's a good read, and I liked it especially for the daddying stories.
I also embarked on a jeep tour of Aruba. Newmommy and I rented a jeep and caravaned with a group around the island. Behold: one of the less than 2% of pics on my hard drive that does not include Bud or a pregnant Newmommy (and, I realize I am breaking the promise that I would not "post pictures from my off-road jeep tour"...well, too bad...also, I realize there IS a road in this picture...it was the beginning part of the tour):
Of course, our battery died and we needed a new jeep. And the "Natural Bridge," one of the major sights of the island, collapsed two years ago. And, we lost the Brazilian family about halfway through (which, according to our tour guide was typical of Brazilian tourists to Aruba- go figure).
What else did I do...hmm, let's see...aside from getting kicked in the jewels in the casino? I watched some crappy baseball game.
All in all, it was a fun time. And, the reports from Bud: she was laughing, smiling, eating ice cream, going on carousels...I was beginning to worry that she was having so much fun with the Grandparents Committee that she would want nothing of Newmommy and I!
Not exactly, although I did log quite a few hours sitting on the beach drinking fruity umbrella drinks and chasing invisible penguins. Not, wait, scratch the penguins, although I did have a few "Aruba Arribas" while reading "The Year of Living Biblically" by A.J. Jacobs, a self-described Jew who is as Jewish as "the Olive Garden is an Italian Restaurant." The author spends a year living the bible as literally as possible: it's a good read, and I liked it especially for the daddying stories.
I also embarked on a jeep tour of Aruba. Newmommy and I rented a jeep and caravaned with a group around the island. Behold: one of the less than 2% of pics on my hard drive that does not include Bud or a pregnant Newmommy (and, I realize I am breaking the promise that I would not "post pictures from my off-road jeep tour"...well, too bad...also, I realize there IS a road in this picture...it was the beginning part of the tour):
Of course, our battery died and we needed a new jeep. And the "Natural Bridge," one of the major sights of the island, collapsed two years ago. And, we lost the Brazilian family about halfway through (which, according to our tour guide was typical of Brazilian tourists to Aruba- go figure).What else did I do...hmm, let's see...aside from getting kicked in the jewels in the casino? I watched some crappy baseball game.
All in all, it was a fun time. And, the reports from Bud: she was laughing, smiling, eating ice cream, going on carousels...I was beginning to worry that she was having so much fun with the Grandparents Committee that she would want nothing of Newmommy and I!
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
Vacation Day 1: Why you goin' to the airport? Flying Somewhere?
As promised:
We woke up at 5am to make our way to Newark Airport. Already, I am feeling anxious and questioning whether or not going on this trip is a good idea. This I think was brought on not only because we were going without Bud, but also because we were simply getting on a plane. See, sometime around 1999/2000, I developed a fear of flying. It didn't make sense, as I was a pretty regular flier averaging about 4-10 flights per year since my freshman year of high school. One day, it just came on. It wasn't so much of a fear that would keep me from my normal routine and planned trips, more of a dread that had me preoccupied for days prior to a flight. A trip to Europe in August of 2001 almost managed to break that fear; unfortunately my return flight on September 11 from London was turned around halfway across the Atlantic. That managed to set me back. It wasn't until a trip to Vegas for a bachelor party two years later that I realized I was pretty much over the fear.
While reading various 'fear of flying' books to help me understand why suddenly and for no apparent reason this fear developed, I came across a passage that suggested that new parents often develop fears of flying because they fear what consequences may befall their child should something go wrong on their flight. (That, of course, didn't answer my question, as I was not even married at the time, let alone a father). Although I didn't welcome back the full fear that I carried with me years ago, that thought definitely stayed with me until we touched down safely in Aruba.
Weed helped. More, accurately, I should say "Weeds" (the television show) helped; the first season of which I downloaded onto my iPod for the trip, at the suggestion of many. You were all correct: it's a great show. [Insert your best "Bud" pun here.]
Before dinner that evening we did our "call-in" at Newnana & Newgrampy's, who took the first babysitting shift. Bud got on the phone with a big "Da Da Da!" She didn't forget me. Yet.
Newmommy and I hit a sushi bar for dinner, and we ran into someone with whom I went to high school (although I don't remember him -- nor did he remember me.) Of course, he was with his wife and his eleven-month-old. Fantastic, these people found a way to bring their child on their trip, why couldn't I?
On the bright side: we had a great meal, and a fun night out without worrying about bathtimes, bedtimes or babysitters. Plus, I got some much-needed time alone with Newmommy. On the downside: well, I'm still missing my little girl, and battling the bad-father complex. And, on the really downside, the Red Sox just went ahead 2-0.
We woke up at 5am to make our way to Newark Airport. Already, I am feeling anxious and questioning whether or not going on this trip is a good idea. This I think was brought on not only because we were going without Bud, but also because we were simply getting on a plane. See, sometime around 1999/2000, I developed a fear of flying. It didn't make sense, as I was a pretty regular flier averaging about 4-10 flights per year since my freshman year of high school. One day, it just came on. It wasn't so much of a fear that would keep me from my normal routine and planned trips, more of a dread that had me preoccupied for days prior to a flight. A trip to Europe in August of 2001 almost managed to break that fear; unfortunately my return flight on September 11 from London was turned around halfway across the Atlantic. That managed to set me back. It wasn't until a trip to Vegas for a bachelor party two years later that I realized I was pretty much over the fear.
While reading various 'fear of flying' books to help me understand why suddenly and for no apparent reason this fear developed, I came across a passage that suggested that new parents often develop fears of flying because they fear what consequences may befall their child should something go wrong on their flight. (That, of course, didn't answer my question, as I was not even married at the time, let alone a father). Although I didn't welcome back the full fear that I carried with me years ago, that thought definitely stayed with me until we touched down safely in Aruba.
Weed helped. More, accurately, I should say "Weeds" (the television show) helped; the first season of which I downloaded onto my iPod for the trip, at the suggestion of many. You were all correct: it's a great show. [Insert your best "Bud" pun here.]
Before dinner that evening we did our "call-in" at Newnana & Newgrampy's, who took the first babysitting shift. Bud got on the phone with a big "Da Da Da!" She didn't forget me. Yet.
Newmommy and I hit a sushi bar for dinner, and we ran into someone with whom I went to high school (although I don't remember him -- nor did he remember me.) Of course, he was with his wife and his eleven-month-old. Fantastic, these people found a way to bring their child on their trip, why couldn't I?
On the bright side: we had a great meal, and a fun night out without worrying about bathtimes, bedtimes or babysitters. Plus, I got some much-needed time alone with Newmommy. On the downside: well, I'm still missing my little girl, and battling the bad-father complex. And, on the really downside, the Red Sox just went ahead 2-0.
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
Bad Parenting: Me?
I neglected to mention in my previous posts that at the conclusion of our move, Newmommy and I went away for four days to Aruba to celebrate our wedding anniversary. It was a long-planned vacation that just ended up coinciding with our house closing.
It was also the first time we were away from Bud for that long. We had previous done one- and two-night getaways, but never a true leave-the-country vacation. So, naturally, as the months and weeks lead up to our departure, the question of whether or not this was "Bad Parenting" hit me pretty hard.
Very few people I know have left a less-than-two-year-old for five nights; but then again, Newmommy and I are in a unique position of having two local and extremely willing sets of babysitter-grandparents (not to mention a local aunt), so perhaps the trend is not a good indicator of whether or not I'm just a bad parent. What did bother me was the look on Bud's face when Newmommy and I came back from our first weekend away from her: the blank "I don't know you" stare. Heartbreaking. And the vision repeated on me while I determined whether or not to go. Still, I thought, that took no more than a few hours to fade away.
I managed to convince myself that going away was the right thing to do. Not only did it give me the opportunity to spend five days alone with Newmommy (which we hadn't done since September 2006, and even longer if you count little miss Kicky McKickstein in Newmommy's belly...), it gave Bud the opportunity to develop relationships with her grandparents without me and my wife hovering and criticizing their baby-tending abilities. Plus, it develops trust...Bud may get upset that mommy and daddy leave, but at least she'll understand that we come back. It also helps her develop some independence.
All good arguments which didn't do much for me dreading leaving my little girl. That's not to say I didn't have a good time...I definitely enjoyed (and needed) the time with my other girl. It's just hard not to think that, despite all of my PhD-level child psychology arguments, I'm not a bad dad for leaving my little girl for almost a week.
So, we will see how she reacts tomorrow morning, when Newnana and Newgrampy return with the princess. And, over the next few days, I will give you an even more in-depth look at Newdaddy's vacation. Don't worry...I am not posting my pictures from the off-road jeep tour; just focusing on the daddying topics.
(P.S. Another added bonus of the Aruba vacation was to be out of the country and, what I thought, out of the reach of major league baseball, during a time that I had a sneaking suspicion would not be good for the Yanks. Boy, was I wrong. If I didn't know better, I would have thought that our hotel was hosting an over-fifty-Red Sox fan retreat.)
It was also the first time we were away from Bud for that long. We had previous done one- and two-night getaways, but never a true leave-the-country vacation. So, naturally, as the months and weeks lead up to our departure, the question of whether or not this was "Bad Parenting" hit me pretty hard.
Very few people I know have left a less-than-two-year-old for five nights; but then again, Newmommy and I are in a unique position of having two local and extremely willing sets of babysitter-grandparents (not to mention a local aunt), so perhaps the trend is not a good indicator of whether or not I'm just a bad parent. What did bother me was the look on Bud's face when Newmommy and I came back from our first weekend away from her: the blank "I don't know you" stare. Heartbreaking. And the vision repeated on me while I determined whether or not to go. Still, I thought, that took no more than a few hours to fade away.
I managed to convince myself that going away was the right thing to do. Not only did it give me the opportunity to spend five days alone with Newmommy (which we hadn't done since September 2006, and even longer if you count little miss Kicky McKickstein in Newmommy's belly...), it gave Bud the opportunity to develop relationships with her grandparents without me and my wife hovering and criticizing their baby-tending abilities. Plus, it develops trust...Bud may get upset that mommy and daddy leave, but at least she'll understand that we come back. It also helps her develop some independence.
All good arguments which didn't do much for me dreading leaving my little girl. That's not to say I didn't have a good time...I definitely enjoyed (and needed) the time with my other girl. It's just hard not to think that, despite all of my PhD-level child psychology arguments, I'm not a bad dad for leaving my little girl for almost a week.
So, we will see how she reacts tomorrow morning, when Newnana and Newgrampy return with the princess. And, over the next few days, I will give you an even more in-depth look at Newdaddy's vacation. Don't worry...I am not posting my pictures from the off-road jeep tour; just focusing on the daddying topics.
(P.S. Another added bonus of the Aruba vacation was to be out of the country and, what I thought, out of the reach of major league baseball, during a time that I had a sneaking suspicion would not be good for the Yanks. Boy, was I wrong. If I didn't know better, I would have thought that our hotel was hosting an over-fifty-Red Sox fan retreat.)
Monday, July 30, 2007
L'il Lenin
We rented a house with another family in Cape Cod. It's a nice place, but it does not get the YES Network...instead, they have something here called NESN, but there's really nothing on for some reason. And people don't seem to like my Yankees cap very much...strange.
The other family are old friends of ours, and in a weird way we are celebrating the five year anniversary of our last trip to Cape Cod. This trip has three new participants: Bud, and our friend's two children: a three-year-old and a sixteen-month-old...all girls. The toy situation is pretty funny, everyone's interested in everything. Bud grabs the younger sister's toy, which prompts me to give the "share" speech...and it went something like this...
"Bud, you should share. Because, if you share your toys with others, they will share your toys with you....and then everyone has more toys to play with!"
My friend hears this, and calls from the other room: "Sounds like communism to me." Touche'.
Why he's a good parent: apparently, about three weeks ago, the older daughter declares, "I want beers." Plural. Awesome.
P.S. I'm old. I gave the "you should share" speech. Last week I was the "adult" in "children below this height must be accompanied by an adult."
The other family are old friends of ours, and in a weird way we are celebrating the five year anniversary of our last trip to Cape Cod. This trip has three new participants: Bud, and our friend's two children: a three-year-old and a sixteen-month-old...all girls. The toy situation is pretty funny, everyone's interested in everything. Bud grabs the younger sister's toy, which prompts me to give the "share" speech...and it went something like this...
"Bud, you should share. Because, if you share your toys with others, they will share your toys with you....and then everyone has more toys to play with!"
My friend hears this, and calls from the other room: "Sounds like communism to me." Touche'.
Why he's a good parent: apparently, about three weeks ago, the older daughter declares, "I want beers." Plural. Awesome.
P.S. I'm old. I gave the "you should share" speech. Last week I was the "adult" in "children below this height must be accompanied by an adult."
Friday, April 27, 2007
Bud: Baby in the City
Sunday was Bud's first "trip" into the city. Originally, we had considered going to the Laurie Berkner concert in Central Park, but we did not want to fight the crowds. (That's right folks, your humble narrator was considering going to a Laurie Berkner concert....not that she's not talented...but, oh how my life has changed...)
Instead, we walked throughout the city. Beginning at the midtown ferry terminal on 38th Street, we walked down the West Side Highway to Highline Thai Restaurant on Washington and Little West 12th. We stopped for Brunch & Bottle (which also meant something quite different to me about 5 years ago....at least the "bottle" part.) I highly recommend this place- great Thai brunch...something different.
From there, we moved over to Magnolia Bakery (yes, that Magnolia Bakery), finally to feed Bud at a nearby park. The park was crowded with kids playing, which was fine, but since when is it OK for eight- and nine-year old kids to run around naked in a public park? Put some pants on your kid, dammit!
From there, we walked back to the ferry, and back to the N-J.
All in all, it was a fun day. Better than my evening tonight; watching the running-cold Yankees go from a minor derailment to an effing train wreck to an absolute disaster. I actually went to this game, and it was quite a disappointment. I am planning on going to tomorrow's game, although I do so very nervously. Effing Red Sox....Coco Crisp....that can't be his real name.
Instead, we walked throughout the city. Beginning at the midtown ferry terminal on 38th Street, we walked down the West Side Highway to Highline Thai Restaurant on Washington and Little West 12th. We stopped for Brunch & Bottle (which also meant something quite different to me about 5 years ago....at least the "bottle" part.) I highly recommend this place- great Thai brunch...something different.
From there, we moved over to Magnolia Bakery (yes, that Magnolia Bakery), finally to feed Bud at a nearby park. The park was crowded with kids playing, which was fine, but since when is it OK for eight- and nine-year old kids to run around naked in a public park? Put some pants on your kid, dammit!
From there, we walked back to the ferry, and back to the N-J.
All in all, it was a fun day. Better than my evening tonight; watching the running-cold Yankees go from a minor derailment to an effing train wreck to an absolute disaster. I actually went to this game, and it was quite a disappointment. I am planning on going to tomorrow's game, although I do so very nervously. Effing Red Sox....Coco Crisp....that can't be his real name.
Tuesday, March 13, 2007
Dumps on a Plane
Just in case you were wondering when the worst possible time on a flight would be for your baby to drop a deuce....
...it's when you're on the ground, right when the captain puts on the seatbelt sign before takeoff. It's the longest wait until you can get to the bathroom.
I speak from experience.
...it's when you're on the ground, right when the captain puts on the seatbelt sign before takeoff. It's the longest wait until you can get to the bathroom.
I speak from experience.
Monday, March 12, 2007
Get With the Times, Man
As technology develops, there comes a point where everyone should know how to perform certain basic functions. For example, people above the age of three should not have to be explained how to use a phone, how to use a television, how to use the microwave, etc.
I think we've reached that point with respect to digital photography. These cameras are not hard to use. Look in the little screen, and hit the big button on the top...there's no trick to this, at least not with my camera.
So why is it that whenever I ask a stranger to take a picture of my family, it's always f-ed up? Either it's not properly centered, or someone wasn't looking up, or (my personal favorite) the picture didn't take. How hard is it to push the big button when the screen shows what would be a good picture? Why don't people realize that when there is no flash, and no frozen picture on the screen...the picture didn't take. Why?
This is not a once-in-a-while occurrence, it happens all the time. Can we all just agree that everyone should learn how to take basic digital pictures...especially if you are in a vacation spot where you may be asked to do so?
Also, while we're on the subject, people shouldn't have to give driving directions anymore. Between GPS systems and map/direction websites, nobody should ask how to get from A to B. Can we agree on that too?
P.S. Ah, Spring.....it may still be cold out, but I've got a beer in my hand, and the Red Sox are losing to the Yankees. Stupid off-season.
I think we've reached that point with respect to digital photography. These cameras are not hard to use. Look in the little screen, and hit the big button on the top...there's no trick to this, at least not with my camera.
So why is it that whenever I ask a stranger to take a picture of my family, it's always f-ed up? Either it's not properly centered, or someone wasn't looking up, or (my personal favorite) the picture didn't take. How hard is it to push the big button when the screen shows what would be a good picture? Why don't people realize that when there is no flash, and no frozen picture on the screen...the picture didn't take. Why?
This is not a once-in-a-while occurrence, it happens all the time. Can we all just agree that everyone should learn how to take basic digital pictures...especially if you are in a vacation spot where you may be asked to do so?
Also, while we're on the subject, people shouldn't have to give driving directions anymore. Between GPS systems and map/direction websites, nobody should ask how to get from A to B. Can we agree on that too?
P.S. Ah, Spring.....it may still be cold out, but I've got a beer in my hand, and the Red Sox are losing to the Yankees. Stupid off-season.
Sunday, March 11, 2007
Bud, Have You Ever Been in a Turkish Prison?
Dear Passengers of last Sunday's Continental Flight from Newark with non-stop service to San Juan, Puerto Rico,Queridos pasajeros del vuelo Continental del domingo pasado de Newark con servicio directo a San Juan, Puerto Rico,
I saw the looks.
Baby on a plane...crap. She's going to cry the entire time. Well, you were wrong.
Yeah, I know, I held up the line on the jetway trying to get the stroller into the carrying bag to be gate-checked. Yeah, I know I didn't need that bag either (thank you oh experienced travellers with kids). But, seriously, the plane's not leaving without you. It wasn't even a full flight, you were going to get your bag in the overhead.
Three hours and forty-six minutes...she didn't cry. She giggled a bit, and slept a bit. She did take a dump...so what? You probably didn't realize it!
So, Mr. Bluetooth-in-first-class who probably loves the sound of his own signature...you're important business call was not interrupted. Nor was your Spring Break effected Miss Pink-Sweats-to-look-causal (and your identically dressed companions).
I know how you feel...before I had a kid, I would have been concerned seeing a baby getting on a plane. It's sort of like waiting for the subway...if I'm not on the train, move in...there's plenty of space on the train. If I'm already in it....why are you pushing? There's a train directly behind us.
Sincerely,
Newdaddy
[Ed. Note: Completely unrelated- the sick kid on Airplane gets the IV knocked out of her arm during the song "There is Only One River." We never see her again...are we to presume she died?
And, while we're on the subject of Airplane!, Religious Zealot #1 ("Hello, we'd like you to have this flower from the religious consciousness church, would you care to make a donation?") was played by Gregory Itzin, also known as President Charles Logan on "24".]
Saturday, March 10, 2007
Newdaddy's Puerto Rican Vacation
Sorry for my recent hiatus, but, as you may have guessed from my last post, we took our first family vacation this past week. Our destination was Puerto Rico and, although many people warned me that such a trip (flights, sort-of leaving the country, etc.) would be ambitious with a six-month old, it actually turned out to be pretty easy. I think this was due to the fact that six-month olds are very portable. Also, Bud was a champion on both flights...she was calm and happy (or asleep) the entire time. Our hotel was also extremely baby friendly.
Over the next week or so, I will regale you all with my vacation stories and witty observations. Let's get the ball rolling...
I could swear that Bud knew she was on vacation. Her mood was certainly different. Normally, she is a happy baby, and she smiles very often, but this past week, she was constantly smiling, laughing and making her high-pitched talk/squeal. True, this can be a function of her development...it may be time for her to begin communicating in this fashion. However, the marked change makes me think that would be too much of a coincidence.
Perhaps (and I would really hope this to be true) it was my presence. I see Bud a few hours each work day (if the timing works out), and only get to spend serious time with her on the weekends. I literally spent every waking minute with her this past week (well, her waking minutes...not mine.) Maybe extra time with daddy made her happy.
Maybe it wasn't necessarily daddy, but simply the constant attention. When Newmommy watches her during the day, she needs to leave her "alone" if she needs to do something. On vacation, Bud was never alone....one of us was always entertaining her.
It's interesting that a six-month old is psyched for vacation. I wonder if she gets the end-of-vacation blues like most of us. "Damn, vacation's over...I dread having to take my bottle on Monday and take a nap."
Over the next week or so, I will regale you all with my vacation stories and witty observations. Let's get the ball rolling...
I could swear that Bud knew she was on vacation. Her mood was certainly different. Normally, she is a happy baby, and she smiles very often, but this past week, she was constantly smiling, laughing and making her high-pitched talk/squeal. True, this can be a function of her development...it may be time for her to begin communicating in this fashion. However, the marked change makes me think that would be too much of a coincidence.
Perhaps (and I would really hope this to be true) it was my presence. I see Bud a few hours each work day (if the timing works out), and only get to spend serious time with her on the weekends. I literally spent every waking minute with her this past week (well, her waking minutes...not mine.) Maybe extra time with daddy made her happy.
Maybe it wasn't necessarily daddy, but simply the constant attention. When Newmommy watches her during the day, she needs to leave her "alone" if she needs to do something. On vacation, Bud was never alone....one of us was always entertaining her.
It's interesting that a six-month old is psyched for vacation. I wonder if she gets the end-of-vacation blues like most of us. "Damn, vacation's over...I dread having to take my bottle on Monday and take a nap."
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