Catching Up

Sorry for the radio silence this week the past week or so.  Things were really busy and now I'm having such that awful rib/back pain that just about everything seems impossible.  Anyway, I'm hoping things get back on track soon.

Here's a few things I've been thinking about lately:

• Last Thursday I met up with a parent of one of my students from last year.  She is a super-lovely woman and I adored her daughter.  Anyway, she asked how I was filling my days now that I'm not teaching.  I replied that the days just seem to fill up and pass by quickly.  Which they do.  I find it quite surprising actually.  I meet up with family and friends and go for walks more often.  I do a lot of piddly things around the house.  And yes, I'm definitely spending more time online --browsing, reading, commenting.   It makes me wonder how we got everything done when Jen and I were both working and thinking I should have something more to show for all this extra time.  Yet, with two months until Sprout's arrival, it doesn't seem like an ideal time to start something new.  So, I thought I might try taking on something small.  I contacted the local elementary school to see if they would like a volunteer once a week or so.  Still no word back.  I think I'd really enjoy it if they do seem receptive to the idea though. 

• Inspired, in part, by rlg's post about reconnecting with her partner, Jen and I decide that once a week we will forego watching television and listen to a podcast our favourite radio program, This American Life, instead.  It's still media-consumption, but it feels different than watching a TV show.

• The Bean continues to amaze us with his language explosion.  I know everyone must be sick of hearing about it, but he is adding multiple new words and phrases every day.  It just blows my mind.  He has also started singing which I think it one of the cutest things ever. 

• The other big Bean update is that we have stopped giving him a pacifier.  It's been close to a week now, and is going fairly well.  He didn't used cry (usually) when we put him down for a nap or bedtime, and he is now, but it only lasts a few minutes before he settles.  We had discussed how to approach this, particularly with the new baby coming, for a while and were undecided on what to do, then one night Jen just said, "I'm not giving him a Nuk tonight", and that's been it.  We've read warnings about them interfering with speech and orthodontia and wanted him off them completely by age two.  Looks like it'll work out.  Hopefully by the time Sprout is using them (if she uses them) he won't be interested anymore. 

I guess that's about it for now.  Tomorrow some photos from our visit to the pumpkin patch!

2 moms in Pittsburgh

Back when we were first discussing a summer visit to PA to see Jen's family we talked about leaving The Bean with her parents for a night so that we could go into the city and have some time alone together.  As we expected, they were enthusiastic about the idea and we began discussing what we would like to do.  Dinner out was a given.  Going to a movie was a potential.  Getting together with friends was discussed.

Last week we finally organized ourselves enough to book a hotel.  We took a risk and made a reservation on Priceline.  We eneded up at the Sheraton in Station Square, which would have been a top choice anyway, for about 30% of the cost of a regular booking.  It got even better when we checked in and were able to get upgraded to a room with a king bed and view of The Point.  (Where the three rivers meet.) 

I think Pittsburgh is an amazing city, but unless you know where to go and how to get there you will probably be underwhelmed.  Fortunately I've always had a very knowledgeable guide.  Jen knows most of the different neighbourhoods and can navigate the bridges and tunnels without seeming to give it a second though. 

We decided we would spend Monday afternoon in Lawrenceville, a small artsy neighbourhood, and then head over to Squirrel Hill for dinner at our favourite Thai restaurant.  After dinner we met up with Jen's oldest friend for tea at an idependent coffee shop in Shadyside.  Then it was back our hotel in the South Side for the rest of the evening.  Tuesday morning we walked around the South Side and enjoyed breakfast at a little hole-in-the-wall diner before making our way over to The Strip District to pick up some lobster tails at Jen's dad's request. 

I feel guilty saying it because I feel like it makes it seem like I don't like spending time with our child, but it was so nice to spend some time just with Jen.  We've had date nights, but to have enough time to be able to walk around leisurely and not worry about when we were getting home was wonderful.  It also helps that we completely trust Jen's parents and knew that The Bean would probably be too busy and happy playing with them to even notice we were gone.  (Mostly true... he's been sick and a little out of sorts, but he was still in very loving and capable hands.) 

This is definitely something we'll have to do again. 

*Notes on the photos:* One of the things I love about Pittsburgh is the history of the city.  For many years I have wanted to spend a day taking photos around the city, and this little getaway provided the perfect opportunity.  Rather than trying to capture everything, I focused on looking for old brickads, also known as ghost signs.  I was surprised by the number we were able to find, and didn't even photograph all of them!  Some street art also snuck its way into my photos.  None of these have been edited yet, and truth be told, aside from the occassional crop I don't do much editing of my photos, but may end up trying to tweak the colour a bit or apply a filter or something because I think they'd look kind of cool in an old fashioned sepia-tone.

Date Night

Since The Bean was born Jen and I have gone out together and left him with someone twice now. The first time was when we participated in the Ride For Heart early in June and left him with my sister for a morning. While we were visiting the grandparents we left him again so we could go on a date. (A date!) We went to the local fair.







Lemonade, funnel cake, a monster truck tractor pull, carnies and, most importantly, cuddling up beside my favourite person in the world on a huge ferris wheel. What more could you ask for in a date?