East Coast Trip

Hi Sidra,
Well we just returned from a two week trip to the East Coast. That's four legs of airplane rides. We went first to Dallas, TX which took about 4 hours. Then the second leg was from Dallas to Boston and it took about 4 hours also. On the return trip we did the same thing except backwards. You did pretty well both coming and going. You didn't sleep as much as you would have if you weren't flying on the plane, or eat as much, but you didn't fuss too much, either. From Dallas to Boston on the trip out the flight attendants rearranged some passengers seating so that we got an extra seat for you. That made that part of the trip a lot nicer. Near that end of that flight the flight attendant asked if she could hold you and then paraded you up and down the full length of the plane. They also brought you a pair of wings since you were on your first airplane trip. On the flights home, you were showing off your walking legs by going up and down the aisle of the plane supported by me. I couldn't see your face but your mom says you were charming the passengers as you walked. I don't doubt it, strangers are always taken by you.
The reason for the trip was to visit family on the other side of the country. We stayed with your mom's aunt Deb. Living in the same house is your mom's cousin Dina and her family, husband Timmy, and daughters Mia and Grace. Mia had her sixth birthday the day after we arrived but her mom told us that Mia was more excited about your arrival than her birthday. Deb lives in a 'two family house.' Deb lives on the first floor and Dina's family has the second floor. The third floor and basement are shared areas. We slept on the third floor, which could be kind of hot on warm days.
We also spent a couple of days in Maine in a house rented by your uncle David and his family. The house was on Long Lake. You did some swimming there in your 'floaty' and rode in a motorboat while your mom water skied behind it. Your uncle got you a nice life preserver to wear while you were in the boat. You didn't care for it too much, I think because the vest was necessarily stiff. You took your bath in the kitchen sink and as the picture shows you tried to suck on the faucet. Luckily for us, the bat who lived in the house was evicted before we arrived.
We didn't really stay at his house but a frequent visitor for us was your uncle Ben. He did host Mia's birthday birthday party and dinner one night as well. He came over nearly everyday we were in Boston and entertained you and served as tour guide for the adults. He is shown in one of these photos feeding you.
You did a lot of things while on this trip. I said several times while we were away that the astounding thing to me is that you won't remember any of this when you get older. I guess that's one of the main reasons why I am writing this, so you will know about it. Anyway, probably the most significant thing you did was go to your first Red Sox game as the stadium scoreboard shows. Your uncle David had the good fortune to have the opportunity to rent one of the luxury boxes at famed Fenway Park. It is close to becoming a historic building, built in 1912. It is the oldest ballpark in the major leagues and is the site of some historic happenings in baseball. It might have been more important to me than you as it was my first Red Sox game (in Fenway Park) too. Also, your uncle David's neighbor's son works for the Red Sox and controls the scoreboard displays. So that connection helped get you welcomed to the game on the stadium scoreboard. The bad news is that the Red Sox lost the game, making them 0-3 in games I've attended.
You did a lot of other stuff besides going to the game, too. You rode on the 'T' several times. You visited the New England Aquarium and Faneul Hall. You rode the swan boats in the Boston Common. You visited the 'Make way for Ducklings' statue in the Common and posed for pictures with your aunt and cousins. You went to your cousin's birthday party. You hung out at the trendy Coolidge Corner. You also had many visitors stopping by to see you.
Our meals were fantastic on the trip. Your mom's aunt Deb and your uncle David kept us very well fed. Everything they prepared was excellent, and so was the dinner at your uncle Ben's. I arrived home about 5 pounds over my usual weight, in spite of cycling a lot of miles.
When you got home you became very attached to your playpen. It is a little different than the one you spent time in back east. The side bars are just a little lower and you've discovered that you can reach them from a sitting position and pull yourself up. So for the last two days you've been standing up and sitting down, standing up and sitting down...The only problem is occasionally you fall down onto your back and can't get up. Then you get upset. But while standing on the side you are getting pretty casual about holding on with only one hand, and sometimes letting go completely. Just a minute ago you were on the bed and I was next to you. You used me to get up on your feet, then balanced with one hand, then let go. You stayed up for about a second untethered. You will be walking soon.
Well, the trip was really good for the family. The hosts were very happy to have us and were tickled to get to see you. They know you will be a lot different the next time they see you. Your mom has declared that this was the first of annual trips to the east. That's ok with me, I found some good places to ride my bike and there are tons of other things to do with you there.
Love, aba

Summer

Sidra,
It's been a busy and fast summer for us. It looks like I missed getting a post in here during July. You are now a few days past seven months old. We are beginning to butt heads over a few things. You have figured out how to yell pretty good when you aren't getting your way. It has been a little bit trying for us because you probably don't understand why we aren't picking you up and a holding you sometimes when you've made it clear that's what you want. We're trying to get the point across that you don't get to call all the shots, all the time. For example, you might be upset that you are still in the playpen or play center when you want to be held. We can't get you to understand that we want to pick you up and hold you, but first we need to finish that bowl of cereal, or pick up those toys you were using, or take the garbage out, or change clothes, or something like that.
I can't remember if I've put anything in any of these posts about your toughness, so I will mention it now. You have weathered a number of little tumbles and such without much whimpering. Like today, you got two shots at the doctor's office, and were done crying over it before we left the building. Even though we forgot to give you some tylenol before we went, like we were supposed to. And also today in your little backyard pool you held on to a new position you had learned until your arms gave out. Your determination lasted longer than your muscles. Your mom was also commenting about your 'grunting' when you are frustrated with something. She wondered where you get that trait. I said probably from both of us.
Well, you've had a busy summer, too. We moved into a new house in the first week in july. It was only next door, so the move was for more room. Anyway, you probably didn't get as much attention as you should have from us while we were tearing out carpet, painting, laying hardwood floor, and cleaning the new house. Not to mention packing and then unpacking.
But, you and I have a pretty good routine on some of these summer days. When your mom has to work, we go out for a bike ride (you sleep most of the way). Then when we get home we have lunch. Sometimes there is a disagreement about who should have lunch first. We had that little dispute today. But we settled it. Then you get some playtime in. Next is my favorite part. When you start to get tired, we go into our bed and I read to you until you fall asleep. Sometimes I fall asleep first. Anyway, I hope we continue to do that as you grow older.
Summer seems almost over, because soon we will fly to the east to visit family. Then shortly after we get back I will return to work. We are a little worried about how you will handle the flying. But, we had friend visit just this week and her daughter is just a little older than you. They said that they worried more than they needed to.
The photo captions here are: 1) my two best girls sleeping in, 2) My 7 month old daughter pretending to be a teenager watching tv, 3) The naked napper.
Love, aba