Some say that if you are still sane after your first 5/6 months with two then you are doing well. Well, we have hit the 5 month mark and I would have to say that we are doing well. This is not to say that we have had our moments trying to handle two, balance new schedules, and navigate some terrible 2 issues (yes thank you Tucker). However, one thing that Brandon and I constantly feel like we are saying is “thank goodness Tucker loves his sister.” He really displays the most amazing affection toward her. For instance, every morning he has to know where Hadley is and will run around asking Hadley..Hadley (he actually says Ladley). If she is in her crib, he climbs onto the rail and tries to pet her or he just wants to peek in to just say hi. Of course Hadley follows up with a gigantic smile. Tucker also wants to share in the experience of feeding Hadley (before he thought he could nurse her...shirt up and holding his nipple). Now that she is all bottle, we have let him partake in the task and while it gets a bit sloppy, the initiation on his part and the interest to be a part of the process is spectacular. Then there is Hadley who just ADORES her older brother. She LOVES watching him. If Tucker is hopping around the room (literally) she will want to watch and does so with a big smile. It really is a fun to watch their interaction.
So as I have been able to sit back and take these moments in, frantically at times, I have done a poor job of communicating these great events. Hence the lapse in my monthly blog updates. While this blog is as much for family and friends, it is also a memoir documenting our time as a family and hopefully something that Hadley and Tucker will enjoy reading when they get older. For the five month picture notation, I used something that Tucker created. Going forward I am going to try to use something that Tucker has either done at home or school to document the monthly picture.
Month 4 began right as we were leaving on our annual “get us the hell out Maryland” pilgrimage. I use such strong words because for me, I have to hightail it out of the state to escape the horrible heat and humidity. My mind/body does just does not tolerate the summer weather in Maryland and as such, I have to leave for an extended period of time (or as long as my parents can tolerate us intruding and taking over their house). Nevertheless, I look forward to our trip to Maine as much as I look forward to Christmas. Which means that I do not sleep for a week and am giddy with excitement.
HiHoHiHo...off to Maine we went! Let me just preface this by saying that 2 weeks is just not enough time. Furthermore by saying that in my head I had BIG plans to do things but I bit of more than I could chew. I quickly realized that I was in a bit over my head trying to handle two kids in a new environment while Brandon was gone on work trips. My parents were a big help but it did not help matters that immediately upon arriving, both kids came down with colds coupled with the fact that Tucker was just a bit out of sorts and Hadley decided that sleeping at night was for the birds. We worked through it all and had a spectacular time but I was exhausted after the trip. This was by far NOT a vacation, but I have come to realize that I am not sure when I will see the day/week when I can just sit back and be.
This year our trip was planned not only to coincide with Brandon’s work but also planned so we could have Hadley baptized. This even took place the day after we arrived. We were lucky to not only have my parents but also my brother Drew, wife Ashley and nephew Nate along with one of my dearest friends Sarah, her husband Scott and son Mackie join us in the celebration of Hadley’s baptism. The night prior to the event, we all gathered at The River Club and feasted on a fantastic meal overlooking the river. My dad took all of the little ones out on his boat which for Tucker, was a HUGE hit. Of course he said “Pop pop tiny boat” which got a chuckle out of me since we have been working with Tucker on his expressive vocabulary and all of a sudden this came out. What really made the night was watching the boys, who are all very close in age, play together. For Tucker and Nate, cousins, this was really the first time that they had met. They sure did not miss a beat and dove right into learning how to barter for cars and trucks. Sorry Tucker, Nate has your cement truck! I think that Mackie took the prize for having the best appetite out of everyone and I bet in 18 years we will see him on the mound pitching for the Sox!! All in all, it was a memorable night but never enough time to catch up with friends and family.
Hadley’s baptism was amazing. We have such a great connection to St. Ann’s Church in that not only was Tucker baptized there but also Brandon and I were married there. Furthermore, Reverend Agnew performed all of our services. I think that having a connection to a church and a Reverend like that is very special. The icing on the cake, Sarah and Drew, are now godparents to both of our children. During the service Hadley got some great “air” time and both Tucker and Nate played very well with their cars. Mrs. Bush even took a few pictures of Hadley. Yes Tucker and Hadley, President Bush and Mrs. Bush were at Hadley’s service. Sorry, Tucker, we had a private ceremony for you.
Unfortunately, after the first weekend, Brandon had to travel for work. The downside, I got to deal with the tribulations of a 2 year old, the upside I went to see Andee in NH for a night. Tucker and Avery were SOOO cute together and watch out Ryder, Hadley had her eyes on you! Tucker flourished in Maine. It must have been the nice crisp clean air! His ability to communicate blossomed, something that had been worrying me for a bit of time. It was like a light a switch went on and before I knew it, I was about to tell him to stop talking and asking questions. He went from garble babble to asking questions and saying a lot. His favorite phrase – Pop pop Antique Car. This was in reference to my parents Red MGB which Tucker fell in love with and got a few rides in. The vast improvement in his ability to communicate was such a relief.
I have failed to mention Tucker’s new friend, Snickers, my parents 5 month old puppy (born 3 days after Hadley). But let me take a step back and take a moment to remember a very very important family member, Skooter, who passed away early this summer. My parents got Skooter 15 years ago when Drew and I were in college. He was a remarkable dog who brought all of us so much happiness. If either Drew or I were coming home my parents would tell Skooter that he had a surprise coming. Immediately he would wait in anxious anticipation, always ready to greet us with lots of jumping and licks. Then he would do laps around the house. He had and endless supply of energy. As Drew coined once, he was the “Duracell puppy” in that one of Skooter’s first Christmas’s with us he just never slowed down and wore all of us out.
Brandon remembers his first encounter with Skooter fondly. We had only been dating about 4 months and we traveled down to South Carolina to spend Easter with my parents. This was the first time my parents and Brandon had met. That first night Brandon woke up to Skooter trying to push him around on the bed. Basically being a dog bed hog. The next morning my parents were wondering where Skooter had spent the night since Skooter ALWAYS slept in their room. Brandon did not quite know how to tell them that Skooter had made his way into his room and monopolized the bed. Brandon and I still laugh about this as Skooter got to spend the night with my boyfriend and I was stuck in the adjoining room alone. The last time I got to see Skooter was this past May. While I know that Skooter is in a great place and am grateful for all of the memories, I am saddened by the fact that I did not give him one last hug before he left, I just expected that I would see him again this summer.
The physical void that Skooter left needed to be filled and with that, Snickers was welcomed into the family. Ok, you are thinking, a newborn, an energetic toddler and a puppy all under one roof HOW?? Well it was an interesting time. There were moments of stress and tension because one or both (meaning dog and toddler) were misbehaving but in the end, their joyful exuberance was fun to watch. Tucker and Snickers became best bud’s. They would run laps around the kitchen, would play with toys, and even run together on the beach. Tucker would even insist on taking Snickers for a walk and get his leash and try to drag him around the family room. So one must be asking, when are we going to get a dog? I would have to be insanely drunk to give into that one right now. So my answer, give me a year. I am all for having a dog but right now, juggling 2 is enough!
Yes Hadley was on the trip as well...she was just so easy going and mellow. Sorry my girl, your brother monopolizes our time sometimes and because you are so good and sweet we just smile at and with you. Hadley continued to roll and roll and roll! It really is amazing watching her and how alert she is. She loved to grab at toys (and hair) and really started to get her knees under her butt. Hmmm crawling anytime??? Lets hope not, I am not ready for that!!
After spending a little over 2 weeks in Maine we started our journey home but not before spending 5 days in Mystic, Connecticut. On our way down we first stopped in Boston to go to the Children’s Museum and to see Daniele and her son Jack. We learned a HUGE lesson that day. NEVER NEVER NEVER go to a children's museum on a rainy day! The place was packed like sardines and while the boys did not really seem to mind, we were a bit flustered. Oh well, it was still great to see D and Jack and next summer we will plan on meeting up on a remote island :)
Once in Mystic we stayed with Debbie and Rich, friends of ours that had moved from Annapolis earlier this year. It worked out great because their daughter Kate is several months older than Tucker. For Tucker, he finally had another toddler his age to get crazy with. Now all Tucker talks about is Kate this, Kate that...Needless to say, he had a BLAST! Cara and Hadley just took it all in and were good little girls. Brandon and I were able to check out the area a bit which was good. Of course the highlight of the trip for Brandon was actually getting a tour of a sub from Rich. He came home with a smile from ear to ear and just said WOW! This after confirming that I would not have liked to take the tour due to extremely confined spaces. After leaving Mystic we drove to NYC to have dinner with the Teeters before returning to Greenwich for the night. It was great to see Rob and Melissa as we had not seen them in a couple of years. The next morning we got to see Aunt Sally (my godmother) and then we popped in to see Nate on his 2nd birthday. The boys picked up right where they left off, trading cars and trucks. This time the cement truck stayed with Nate.
Maryland oh Maryland oh Maryland, what awaited us when we got back...a hose that had been eaten while we were gone and thus a mini swamp in our backyard. Needless to say a good fall project on our hands. We also retuned to the humidity, expletives that I just can’t write.
Tucker has started school (St. Anne’s and Maryland Hall for the Arts –Artstart) and so far so good. The first week was a bit of an adjustment, but all in all he did well. I did not have any emotional “my son is so grown up” breakdowns. I was actually elated and excited that he was about to embark on a new adventure. I realize that some mother’s cry and have trouble letting go but for me, I love seeing where new things will take him. He is ready and this is the right thing for HIM. So I can probably forecaset the fact that I will not cry when he actually does go to school full time. Hadley is elated because this means that she gets some one on one mommy daughter time! I am happy because I get some Hadley time as well as some down time. It is a win win situation for all of us!
Tucker...monkey see monkey do. Since Aug Tuckers vocabulary has exploded. As mentioned before, I was worried about his delay in communicating, he seemed to be lagging other kids his age. My concern was legitimized in July through a county Infant and Toddler speech assessment. I hate to say that he failed something but he showed a delay in his ability to “express” himself and thus qualified for some extra help. Prior to leaving for Maine in Aug we met with his instructor and she gave us some things to work on while we were away. Needless to say that when we returned the instructor was amazed at his progress. All of a sudden it is like a light went off and now he does not stop talking and we can understand him. Now he is always asking, “what’s this?” One fascination he has is with the moon and I am starting to wonder how much longer I can keep saying that the reason the moon is not out is because it is napping. Or, if we are in the car and he wants to hear Elmo and I do not want to listen to Elmo, I have to tell him that Elmo is asleep. He promptly follows with “Elmo, wake up.”
For Hadley, she is always in school :) Each day is a new learning experience for her because well...there is so much for her to learn. She just takes it all in like an eager beaver. I am forever impressed with her ability to just play with things. One of her favorite toys is a mirror with a twirling ball attached to it. When I put her on the floor she immediately turns her head to figure out where the mirror is and the next thing I know, she has rolled over and is in front of it grabbing at the ball. Another milestone, she is sleeping on her stomach. We had a rough couple of weeks but now she is great and trying to sleep on her knees.
Other events to quickly note. Tucker and I had our first crab’s at Cantler’s (local but very popular crab place on the water). My opinion, hassle food to the nth degree. Tucker was not too sure about the crabs. His expressions were priceless. Sesame Street Live – my birthday was going to see Elmo as a family. Tucker had SOOO much fun. His two favorite characters, Elmo and Ernie. Now he likes to sleep with his Ernie doll, along with his “buddies” skip it and bunny. They are never far.
