Cold Spaghetti

This morning, the four of us had the adventure of a pediatric visit — with shots. Will wowed everyone by not making a peep while he got his (including the painful MMR); the doctor was so impressed she told him he could have as many stickers as he wanted from her basket. (Will picked two, both involving construction trucks, and put one on his chest and one on Kate’s.) Considering what he has gone through in the past with shots, we felt this was worthy of some serious treats.

Kate, however, did not take the pricks so well. She was pissed. I haven’t heard her wail like that since the PKU prick in the hospital. Although she quieted down quickly, her brow had no intention of unfurrowing. She really wanted us to know she was Not Happy. Even after we got home, fed her, and rocked her to sleep, she still had her brow furrowed. Doctor Milvid suggested Motrin for Kate in the afternoon. When we got home, I realized that I had none of the infant drop variety, as we’d graduated to chewables (aka: hide-in-food-ables) with Will. Since it didn’t look like Kate was going to come back anytime soon, Will and I walked around the corner to the neighborhood pharmacy.

Uptown Pharmacy is your classic small-town, Mom-and-Pop corner drug store. It’s the place to get Boudreaux’s Butt Paste products and clothing (Boudreaux’s is a local brand) and a great place to pop into for just about any little thing you’re missing at home. There is one dangerous part to visiting the store: checkout is in the back at the pharmacy desk, where the shelves are lined at preschooler height with every sweet and salty snack imaginable. The clerks were checking on their stock of Alavert-D (they ended up ordering it and will have in tomorrow for pick up, how’s that for speciality service?) — which meant that Will was all over those treat shelves. After saying “you may look but you may not touch” four dozen times, Will finally got the hint to not pick things up and began pointing and asking “how ’bout this one?” … over and over and over.

I was about at my limit when I got an idea. In my best pirate voice, I said to him: “How ’bout we get some Pirate Booty on the way home? What say ye ta that, matey, arrrgh??”

Will thought for a second. Then as if on queue, smiled and said, “Yup! Arrrgh!”

So on the way back from the pharmacy, we stopped by our Whole Foods. Will picked up the bag of Pirate Booty (when he says it, it sounds more like “Pirate foody”) and brought it to the cashier. “Arrrgh,” he said to her. I explained that we were pirates out for a snack. “Oh,” she laughed. “Arrrgh,” Will repeated. And then blew her a kiss before grabbing his booty and walking home.

Tonight was the first fundraiser for Abeona House, the child development center that Paul and I are involved in starting. The event was held at SIP, a local wine bar on Magazine and had food tasting from Cochon, a popular FQ restaurant.
Along with the wine tasting for adults, kids had juice tasting. Will took this task quite seriously and went to town on the juice boxes. We’re not sure how many he had, but in the future, we will look to cut him off after two. If not for our sanity, for the limited absorbancy of his diaper.His friend, Aya, was also there. Will and Aya spend Thursday and Friday mornings together and are THE hot item. They hold hands, hug, and give kisses. We got to see a lot of this action tonight. I fear that we are raising quite a lady’s man. They had a great time drawing chalk patterns on the sidewalk (and on each other), stopping every once in awhile to “aww” us all with spontaneous acts of cuteness.
Along with the wine and food, there was a silent auction offering a range of truly great stuff… jewelry and art from local artisans, massages, Zoo memberships, photography sessions, AND… three hours of Paul to fix your computer. Paul’s services went for $80.

We invited our awesome babysitter, Michelle, to the event. (We’re hoping she’ll apply for a job teaching with the Center; she’s great.) Paul got the shock of being called “Sir” by her super nice boyfriend. Reflecting on it tonight, we realized that once we were the ones being extra polite and having folks tell us not to call them “sir” or “ma’am”… and now WE are the “sir” and “ma’am.” When did that happen??? Actually, no one called me “ma’am” tonight, so maybe it’s just Paul. I guess I’ve got a few more years?

Sip was also the place to be seen tonight. We saw one of our Octavia Street neighbors, the realtor who sold us our house (Helen Katz, who we adore and recommend to anyone moving to NOLA), and Carl, my committee chair. I ran into another committee member at Whole Foods yesterday — signs that the universe is pulling me back to work!?! Mostly, we enjoyed the company of the other Abeona families… progressive, child-positive, relaxed, artsy, intelligent, informed, and interesting… it felt wonderful to be in a place where we FIT.

The night was poised to end perfectly. I walked into a favorite coffee house for an iced coffee to take home and met Paul and Will at the car…. where Paul informed me that Will’s Very Wet Diaper had been joined by a Very Big Poop. And together, they had formed a Very Wet and Dripping Mess. And did I mention that Paul discovered this while carrying Will on his shoulders? Thankfully, husbands and children wash well. The car seat will have to get washed tomorrow. An interesting end to a long day!

We love you and can’t wait to see you soon! 

This morning, Will, Kate, and I went to Abeona House for our first Music Together class! Aimed to kids from newborn to age 5, Music Together works on the belief that all children are musical. The classes work to foster that natural sense of music in young children.

In other words, it’s seriously cool.

Renee, a teacher at Abeona and classically trained vocalist, directs the class. She’s great with the kids and we had a wonderful time. Even Kate seemed to get involved — moving her hands and watching with rapt attention that seemed beyond what an 8 week old should muster.

I also discovered something about Will: he is really shy. Yes, SHY. There were several activities where Will was the only kid clinging to Mommy. But he did begin to open up towards the end and I think after another class or two that will be all over. I know he enjoyed it, though — we sang parts of one of the songs at his naptime.

To all parents: I whole-heartedly endorse the Music Together program for you and your kids!

Me: “Will, do you want to use the red paint, too?”
Will: “No, I blue.”

Paul to Kate: “This is an example of how your parents will embarrass you for the rest of your life.”
Will (in the background, playing with blocks): “I hope not!”

This photo is a good example of the child we call “no neck.” 

Last night:
– Rachel Ray’s bread gnocchi with garlic and tomatoes
– Sugar snap peas
– Red leaf lettuce with vinaigrette

(Report: liked all around, but is a direct to serve dish — gnocchi done before everything else and Paul and Will weren’t ready for dinner until long after things were ready.)

Tonight:
– Masoor dal (red lentils) with tomatoes
– Hari Bindi (Indian-style stuffed okra with potatoes and onions)
– Rice
– Red leaf lettuce with vinaigrette

(Report: Dal has already over-flowed on my newly cleaned stove top. *WAA!* Kitchen is steaming… I’m sweating like a whore in church. At this point, I could care less what it tastes like as long as it feeds the family for the next day.)

If I can see it, it’s mine.
If I give it to you and change my mind later, it’s mine.
If I can take it away from you, it’s mine.
If I had it a little while ago, it’s mine.
If it’s mine, it will never belong to anybody else, no matter what.
If we are building something together, all the pieces are mine.
If it looks just like mine, it is mine.

As a parent, sometimes I feel it’s hard to compete with the Creed.