Letchworth Trip

Andrew and I always try to take one trip to Letchworth every year. It's a special place for us -- we've been going there ever since we met in college. In fact, here is the view from where we had our first magical kiss 19 years ago: http://thrivingbabies.com/Images/pinnacle.jpg

Leaf season is late this year and the wind was wild. It was like walking through a ticker tape parade with all of the leaves sailing through the air and the acorns diving from the trees. The hiking was wonderful, even the 127 steps down to the footbridge in the previous photo. http://thrivingbabies.com/Images/arianna&dad.jpg

Arianna developed a fever and slept a lot. She's still a little under the weather. Here she is, asleep in the Sutemi Pack: http://thrivingbabies.com/Images/sutemidad.jpg

She did enjoy seeing the "deers" as she calls them and we even learned quite a bit about composting from an awesome exhibit they had there. She still let us take a few photos of the cute little Dora Halloween dress I made her: http://thrivingbabies.com/Images/hdress2.jpg

We were somewhat disappointed with the Glen Iris restaurant, Caroline's, this year. I ordered a pumpkin cheesecake the night we arrived and it was wafer thin and half frozen. Not exactly what you'd expect for a $7 dessert. Our breakfast omelette had American cheese on it -- eww! Their current chef is no gourmet. I miss the old days.

When we left, there was a huge group of little old ladies in purple dresses and red hats, just like the poem, "When I Grow Old, I Will Wear Purple". They visit the Glen Iris regularly. (Apparently, they don't have many taste buds left.) You can see some of them here: http://thrivingbabies.com/Images/gleniris.jpg

Their fashion sense is still on target, though -- they all adored Arianna's outfit and everyone commented on what a delightful and polite little girl she was. Here's me and the little angel: http://thrivingbabies.com/Images/mom&arianna.jpg

Hope you enjoyed the virtual trip to Letchworth!
Rebecca

P.S. I have an iMac, which makes adding pictures in Blogger impossible. Hence, all the external links. Maybe once a few more people start buying the new TV-like Macs and video iPods, the scales will start to tip in Mac's favor again. . . .

Common Ground?

This is a very interesting article on swaddling and how both extremes of the parenting spectrum embrace this age-old technique as an excellent baby soother. There is a bit of controversy about how long one should practice this (4 weeks or 10 months?) and of course, the SIDS-minded folks are very cautious about overheating babies or obstructing the mouth.

Harvey Karp seemed to be the baby expert most quoted in the article. I've heard of his book, The Happiest Baby on the Block, but have never read it. I was glad to hear that he is a strong supporter of baby carriers and breastfeeding, and is popular with Hollywood celebrities. Perhaps that's why we are seeing so many of the stars sporting baby slings and carriers. Check out http://www.mammasmilk.com/pages/celebrities.php for a who's who in babywearing.

My (Native American) grandmother was superb with infants. She just had a knack for calming them and making them feel secure and content. Rumor has it that she worked her magic on me so well, that I would sleep all day while she watched me and I would be up all night for my parents! My mom would often bring me over to my grandmother's in the middle of the night so she could rest up for her job the next morning (she was a beautician).

I watched my grandmother with a friend's baby when I was a teen. She swaddled the baby tightly in a light blanket and held her on her shoulder. When the baby fell asleep, she rested the snoozing bundle on her lap, giving her an occasional bounce or jiggle with her knees. Everyone seemed amazed that she could do this so quickly and with any baby she met.

Perhaps swaddling was one of her secrets? I remember her teaching me how to swaddle my baby dolls. Who knew that she was sharing ancient wisdom with me at the time!

Rebecca

P.S. Mamma's milk also has an excellent sling directory. It's one of the most comprehensive lists of carriers I've seen, including world-famous brands to new WAHMs (work at home moms). http://www.mammasmilk.com/pages/slingdirectory.php

La Nausee

My cousin's wife had terrible nausea during her first pregnancy and had to be fed through an I.V. During her second pregnancy, she happened to be vacationing in the Thousand Islands. When she started experiencing nausea again, she went to a doctor in Canada (it was a U.S. holiday) for treatment.

They were horrified to hear that she had been given an I.V. during her first pregnancy when there was a simple medication for her condition. Most U.S. doctors are reluctant to give medication for nausea due to the Benedictin scare many years ago. They prescribed her the equivalent of 1/2 a Unisom (doxlamine) and a vitamin B6 tablet.

Here's another article with more information:
http://www.babycenter.com/expert/pregnancy/isitsafe/1366869.html

"The FDA has now classified the combination of ingredients in Bendectin (doxylamine and vitamin B6) as "safe and effective for nausea and vomiting of pregnancy" and you can buy both ingredients over the counter. Doxylamine is available as a sleeping pill (under the brand name Unisom Nighttime Sleep-Aid; be sure you don't get Maximum Strength Unisom SleepGels because that's a different product). And you can find vitamin B6 in the vitamin section, of course. Ask your doctor or midwife if this combination would work for you and, if so, what dose you should take. Remember: Never take any drugs, vitamins, or herbal supplements during pregnancy without first talking to your practitioner."

If you are experiencing nausea and you are not pregnant, you might try reading Sartre's first novel, Le Nausee, where the main character experiences extreme nausea as a result of a powerful existential crisis. (Sorry, no known cure for this one.)

Rebecca

P.S. I hope you feel better, Sharifa!

Telephone

Arianna hasn't really learned to talk on the phone yet. Sometimes we hold the phone up to her ear and say, "It's Grammy!" and she'll listen for a few moments. When nobody is on the phone, she'll pick it up and mimic how we talk on the phone.

So, I was quite surprised the other day when I called Rebecca from work. After a series of bumps that sounded like the receiver being dragged across the desk, dropped on the floor, and picked up again, I heard a little voice say, "Hi!"

At first I thought I must have called the wrong number, and somebody else's kid answered, but I recognized Arianna's voice. I said, "Is this Arianna?"

"Hi, Daddy!"

"How are you doing?"

"I'm playing in the office. I was playing with my dolls."

Then I asked, "Is Mommy there?"

She said, "Mommy's all wet and soppy!"

I said "Where is she?"

"She's taking a shower. What are you doing at the hostibal? (her word for hospital) Are you taking care of Lisa and the boy?"

I had told her some stories about my work several weeks ago about a girl that I took care of, and a little boy who was happy because I sent his Mommy home. This little girl never ceases to amaze me, I couldn't believe she remembered those stories. So I told her a little about what I was doing at work.

Then I said "Can you tell Mommy I called?"

She said, "OK", and I heard the phone thump on the floor and little footsteps running away. She came back in a minute and said "Mommy's all soppy; she's still in the shower. I'm going to play now, bye bye." I said bye and listened to the phone thump down on the floor again.

Rebecca told me later that all day long Arianna kept picking up the phone and saying "Hi, Daddy!" Arianna never did tell her I called, though.

My little girl is growing up so fast. Talking on the phone seems like such an abstract concept -- to be able to talk to someone you can't see who is in an entirely different place than you. I am amazed that she has figured it out already!

Andrew

Goodbye, Summer!

Well, I have to say we've been enjoying the 80 degree days this week. Today, like the past several, Arianna and I played in the water for an hour or so (she threw rocks into the water from the boat ramp and I swam around). I also took her for a little boat ride in my floating lounge chair, which she loves. It's been too chilly for her to practice her doggie paddle lately.

The lake was calm and the sun was HOT. You could see the sun rays rippling down to the lake's bottom. Every time I tried to drag myself out of the water, I felt this force pulling me back in. I think it was the bittersweet knowledge that this would be the last swimming day of the season. Knowing that I wouldn't be able to swim again in Lake Ontario until next June or July just seemed too much to bear. So I dove in again. And again. We've had such an enjoyable summer, I didn't want to say goodbye.

All good things come to an end and we're expecting 50 degree weather by the weekend. So sad, but the seasons cycle ever onward. Arianna and I dug out the Halloween decorations in anticipation of the fall. She still hasn't decided on a costume, but here are the current nominations: a tiger (again), a bear, a pirate, a cat, and a fairy (I told her I had some fairy wings, if she was interested). I think she's game for anything.

I also wanted to make her some Halloween overalls out of this Trick or Treat Dora the Explorer fabric I bought in NH. The print is rather large, so I am thinking about an overall dress instead. Hopefully, she will let me do some sewing! She loves to play on her swingset (thank you Chris and Marnie), but I can't leave her alone outside -- she's too little.

She is getting into arts and crafts now, too. A page of stickers and a sheet of paper can keep her busy for an hour! She seems so grown-up now. She insisted on carrying all of her stuff into the house from the lake. I helped her up the hill, but she did the rest. It took her 15 minutes, but by gum, she did it! I have to admire her tenacity.

Well, that's it for our weekly update. I hope you are enjoying your last days of summer,
Rebecca

The Finger Lakes

Can I just say, I LOVE the Finger Lakes?

We just got back from a wonderful weekend at Joyce's lake house on Keuka Lake. We always have a blast hanging out with Joyce -- she just knows the hot spots for every season in that area and Arianna adores her. But we've never gone wine-tasting before.

Now I realize all of the fun I've been missing! I'm not a big drinker mind you. I probably have one drink once or twice a year. It's rare that I find an alcoholic beverage that I like well enough to commit to an entire glass.

A little taste is an entirely different matter. After a few samples, my pallette became more discerning and I started to understand the wine terminology as I experienced each description. It was like learning a new language and falling in love at the same time. But, I am getting ahead of myself. Let's start at the beginning.

On Saturday, we went to the Windmill, where we found the most delicious variety of local seedless grapes called "Einset." We discovered fresh-pressed grape juice is also a real treat -- like wine without the after-effects. This was just a prelude to my affair with wine-tasting, though.

I also found two elegant pearl necklaces (Happy Birthday to Me). They were only freshwater pearls, but they were so inexpensive (only $30 for the pair) it seemed foolish not to surrender such a paltry sum in exchange for these little treasures and the regal way they feel around my neck.

Delighted with my purchases, we went to Hunt Country vineyards for our first wine-tasting experience of the weekend. We all agreed on the Vignoles 2004 (Joyce cleverly asked for a bottle already chilled, for our dinner) and the Foxy Lady Blush. Andrew loved the Cream Sherry, but refused to buy himself a bottle because I didn't like it (silly boy). We went back to the lake, took a quick swim and had a lovely meal of roasted vegetables and pork -- Joyce really knows how to put out a spread! Then we had some strawberry-rhubarb pie for dessert.

We hadn't planned to go wine-tasting on Sunday, but we simply couldn't resist! Our next stop was Chateau Frank a.k.a. Dr. Konstantin Frank. The awards won by this vinifera were outstanding. We received quite an education about wine from the guide there. The clear winners of the day were the Dry Reisling and the Chateau Frank Brut Champagne. They were all sold out of the Rkatsiteli, which is one of Joyce's favorites. Too bad, because our tastes seemed to be similar to hers. The folks here were the most erudite of all the wineries we visited and I appreciated the knowledge they shared with us.

Then we went to Heron Hill and had a picnic overlooking the west bend of Keuka Lake -- breathtakingly beautiful! We didn't partake of the wine here because Andrew and I were feeling light-headed after the lengthy education we received from Dr. Frank. Joyce said the Eclipse wine was good; we'll have to come back and try it later. I sure enjoyed the view.

Our last stop was Bully Hill. It was by far the most entertaining trip, with the comedy act given by the wine guides (replete with sales pitches for Bully Hill's private label glow-in-the-dark underwear), but the wine itself was most disappointing. I bought some fruity, wine cooler-sweet Pink Catawba wine and some grape juice. They have the most creative wine labels I have ever seen (which they sold for ten cents a piece) and they definitely earn an A+ for personality.

Needless to say, we are already planning our next trip to wine country.

Thank you, Auntie Joyce, for the initiation into the glorious world of wine-tasting and for taking such excellent care of us this weekend -- you are the best!

Fondly,
Rebecca

P.S. Arianna says she likes her Auntie Joyce because she is very nice. I second that!