Earth Fest.

Today the little man and I planned on going down to Earth Fest on the Esplanade with some of our friends. We got up nice and early on this sunny day and took the T downtown. 

We stopped to get some coffee for mom and some chocolate milk for the little man while we waited for our crew to show up. Clearly, the little man thought this was a great idea. 

While we were waiting we ran into a family who was on their way to the Clarendon Street park, where a party was being thrown. She said it looked like a lot of fun so we should stop by.

So we did, and when we got there we saw that the festivities did not disappoint. For a 5 dollar cover fee there was a moon bounce, face painting, balloon animals, pizza, juice. It really was an awesome spread. 

The little man wasn't too interested in the moon bounce, but he was very excited to get a monkey on his arm. When I say excited I mean kind of freaked out by the whole thing. 

Luckily, the artist was very patient and the little guy was thrilled to have his hero Curious George on his arm to show his other hero, daddy, when he got home. 

He then ran off to play.

And play some more.

Once it got really crowded we left for Earth Fest but got sidetracked by the ice cream truck on the way. 

Finally we made our way down to the "show" but by then it was time to head home for a nap.We took the T back over the bridge and we made it home just in time. 

Boston/ Cambridge really is an amazing place to have young kids. I am so happy we decided to say in the city and raise our kids here.

I hope you all are able to get out and enjoy this beautiful weather we are having this weekend.

Great Friends.

Last night my two besties took me out to celebrate my big 3.0. The night eventually became a celebration of friendship and really emphasized to me how amazing the friendships can be between woman who bond over their children. I met these two yummy mummies when our babies (all boys) were about 9 weeks old. We met in "baby class" and have been friends ever since. We got pregnant together the second time, and I have been lucky enough to watch them grow through their pregnancies and through their journey as mothers to their new (beautiful) daughters. They were there for me when I lost baby number two, and we have been there for each other through births, birthdays, moves, contractors, colds, stomach flus....you name it.

I feel so lucky to have found such great friends, and I love that our kids will have known each other from the very beginning. I can't wait until we are old and grey, to look back at the pictures of us and our "boys." If I am lucky maybe my little man will be smart enough to scoop up one of their little girls. Ok, maybe I'm getting a little ahead of myself, I suppose I should try to potty train him before I have him married off. But you know what I mean. 

I have never been one to have a lot of friends. In fact I can probably count them on two hands. It isn't so much for lack of trying, but more so because I moved a few times in my youth, and again as an adult. I moved to one state after junior high, another in the middle of high school, yet another after college, and finally to Boston after Law School. I have been able to keep a good friend or two from each move, especially my Maid of Honor whom I met my first week of Law School, but as with most relationships, friendships are always more difficult from a distance. I had an amazing group of friends during the Husband's residency, but right at the moment that we all had babies, my "girls" all moved away, leaving me alone to find some new friends on my own. I was lucky. I hit the jackpot in that very first baby class, and to my delight the "girls" who moved away and I still remain close even if it is just through visits, emails, and the magic of Facebook. 

I can see now that my friends and I are as close as we are because we all have one single, and extremely important thing in common; our children. It's like when you meet someone with children, you can automatically relate. Whether it's in baby class, at the gym, on vacation, or at the park. The fact that you know exactly what they go through on a daily basis, the ups and downs, it automatically bonds you. Especially when you are bonded over very young children. A lack of sleep and a dwindling milk supply can turn two strangers into a necessary support system overnight. I love having someone that I can go to at any time of the day or night and talk about diapers, milestones, what our kids are eating, saying, doing, our husbands, our families, generally just having someone who is unconditionally there for me no matter what, as I am there for them. It's like the song says, "you've got to have friends," and between my "mommy" friends, my "blogger friends" (those who I see on a weekly/ monthly basis and those who I only see online) and my family...I've got it all. 

As an aside, can you believe these two gorgeous ladies just had their second babies less than 3 months ago? Whatever they are doing is completely working. When I grow up I hope I can be just like them, an amazing friend and even more, an amazing mother. 

Thanks for an awesome night ladies. Please, please, please let's do it again soon!

It's About Time; The Making of a Baby Book.

Today it begins. I am finally getting around to putting together some baby books for the little man. I know, he is almost 2, it's about time, right?

When he was born I did the whole "baby milestone book" thing. And ever since I have collected and saved every picture taken, and every "drawing" made. I have had the books since before the little guy was born, complete with rolls and rolls of double stick tape. I have been more than ready to make these for over a year. 

So why haven't I put the damn things together? Yeah, no excuses. 

Well today it begins. I'm hoping by the end of next month I will have every picture affixed, every date written, every event notated. 

So now my trip down memory lane begins, I'll be happily showing off the final product once I am done.  At the rate I'm going let's just hope that is before baby number two arrives.... 

Recipe of the Month, Summer Edition.

I realize that I am long, long, long overdue for a recipe of the week. At this point I am long overdue for a recipe of the month, so here are two (yes, two) recipes that I tried out this week. 

I don't know about you, but as the weather gets warmer, I suddenly become completely at a loss regarding what to make for dinner. When it's hot I just am not all that hungry, and the idea of cooking just seems like too much effort. Of course this is the time of the year when all those amazing vegetables come into season, so this season I am determined to find ways to make some healthy meals that involve very little heat/effort/ and time. Behold the first two. 

Monday night I made this Warm Spinach and Orzo Salad. It was so easy, and we had so much of it that Tuesday we had the leftovers cold and I paired it with a Grilled Shrimp with Corn, Tomato, and Cilantro Salad. Both were delicious, and both were great served hot and cold. 

These would also be great to bring to a picnic or baby/bridal shower. Enjoy!

Spinach and Orzo Salad.

Serves 6 as a Main Course.

Cooking time 15 minutes.

Ingredients.

1 pound of orzo

1 pound baby spinach

1 lemon

1/2 cup olive oil

2 tomatoes

1/4 red onion cut into thin slices

4 oz feta

Handful of pine nuts or walnuts. 

Prepare 1 pound of orzo according to package directions.

During the last minute of the orzo's cooking, add in a pound of baby spinach.

In a large bowl combine the juice of a lemon and 1/4 cup olive oil.

Whisk in some salt and pepper.

Add the orzo and spinach to 2 chopped tomatoes, and a few slices of red onion. Toss.

Stir in 4 ounces of crumbled/or cubed feta and a handful of pine nuts (or walnuts.)

Serve hot or cold. 

Grilled Shrimp, Tomato, and Corn Salad.

Serves 2 as a main course.

Cooking time 30 minutes. 

Ingredients.

16 large shrimp.

3 ears husked corn.

2 tomatoes.

4 tbsp olive oil.

1/2 cup cilantro (or basil if preferred.)

salt and pepper. 

Place 16 large cleaned, deveined shrimp (tails on) in a bowl with 3 tbs olive oil and 1 clove minced garlic. Marinate 30 minutes.

Meanwhile, boil 3 ears husked corn in a pot for 3-5 minutes.

Cut kernels from cobs. 

Mix with 2 cups chopped tomatoes, 2 tablespoons olive oil, and 1/2 cup cilantro. Season with salt and pepper. 

Remove shrimp from marinade; season with salt and pepper. 

Grill shrimp or saute in a skillet with one tbsp olive oil until cooked through.

Place shrimp over tomato/corn mixture. 

Serve hot or cold.

A perfect Summer dinner!

Dorothy Said It.

Dorothy was right, there really is no place like home, no place like home. 

We have been back for 3 full days and I must say I have never been happier to be home. It's not that I didn't have fun on my vacation, it's just that it wasn't really a vacation. Yes, we were on a beach, yes, we had an amazing time, and yes, I would do it all over again. But the fact is it wasn't really a true vacation because I brought my work with me. And by "work" I mean my almost two year old son who after week two really, really, really wanted to be home. 

Well he and I got our wish, and now that we are back even The Husband had to agree...it is GREAT to be back (I may have mentioned that already.) It's like everything around here has this amazing and beautiful glow around it. The trees are greener, the sky is bluer, the weather is nicer, the city is beyond amazing. For the little man his old toys are new again, his park is like his own little slice of heaven, and his room, well I can barely get him to leave his crib in the morning and after his nap.

The two of us are are easily falling back into our old routine and the only problem we have had is the separation anxiety that the little man is having, and the burning separation desire that I am having. You would think that after spending 5 weeks with me, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, the little guy would be sick of me already. You would be wrong. I'm sure (hoping) once he gets used to the gym again, the sitter, and his general environment than we will soon be back to our old ways. Our old ways where are are allowed to be more than one foot away from each other at any given moment. 

The Husband is quick to point out I would likely be having a different reaction to our home had we come back during the middle of a New England winter, and I tend to agree that the beautiful sunny days that we have had may have something to do with my joyful mood. (Note to self, next time go to tropical destination in February, not May.) But either way I am one happy camper. 

I guess all that clicking of my ruby slippers (well, leather flip flops) must have done the trick because at the end of my yellow brick road is a Summer in Boston. I can honestly say there is no where in the world I would rather be. 

Thank God We Live In The City.

Since we have been home the little man has renewed his OBSESSION with emergency response vehicles with a fervor not seen by many (except his mother at a Louboutin sample sale, I dream.) 

When I say obsessed, I mean we now have to:

• Wave to.
• Approach.
• Kiss.
• Hug.
• Wave by-eeeeeeee.

To Every:

• Fire Truck.
• Police Car.
• Ambulance.
• City Bus.
• Taxi 

Given that we live in a bustling city you can imagine how many times a day we do this. Hundreds would not be an exaggeration. Yesterday it took us 25 minutes to walk the 5 blocks to Central Square for a cup of coffee (yes, I am sort of back on the sauce.)

All I can say is thank God we live in a city, otherwise my little man surely would be in a deep depression without all those vehicles to "love." 

Oh, and everything we now see is "blue." Every red fire truck, every yellow taxi, every white bus. They are "blue" according to the little man. I dare you to tell him differently. 

Ahhhh the joys of toddlerhood. 

Traveling.

Today we are leaving on a jet plane.....as the song goes. Well, actually tomorrow we are leaving on a jet plane and today we have 6 hours in a van back to San Jose. I won't have Internet, but I will be back on Saturday to let you know how our journey went. If it's anything like the way down, then we should be just fine. 

I'll be back to blogging on Saturday.......from the comfort of my very own home. Yay!

The Equator Is No Match For This.

If you plan on taking your fair haired little baby anywhere near the sun, or if you are lucky enough to have porcelain skin (which if you do, I officially am jealous and hate you) than YOU NEED THIS. 3 separate trips to Central America, a total of 8 weeks, 6 hours a day in the sun, and the little man is still as white as he was the day he was born.

The secret? Mustela baby sunscreen.

This stuff is made for sensitive skin, so you know it won't give them a rash like some of that other suncreen will do, and it does exactly what it says it does (I know, what a concept.) It actually blocks the sun. 

I lather the little guy up in the morning, and touch up his face and shoulders in the afternoon, and for the rest of the day I don't have to worry one bit about him running topless (this makes me so jealous of boys) in the seriously intense sun that is "living on the equator." 

Seriously, the equator is no match for this, I would love to see what North America or Europe think that they could do. 

While it is a slightly more pricy (not by much)  than the others, this stuff lasts. Two bottles took us through three weeks with two applications a day. Can't beat that. 

Happy Sunning.

Goodbye Beautiful Country.

Today is our last full day in this beautiful country that we have called "home" for the past few weeks. Tomorrow we embark on our two day trip back to civilization, or at least civilization as we remember it. (and by civilization I mean no more beautiful beaches, sunsets, or perfect jungle views) Some days down here felt like months, but now looking back I can't believe how fast the time has gone by. A significant amount of quality time was had by all, and the annoyances were minimal and already forgotten. I can't wait to be home. Home in my bed, home in my house. I can't wait to see my friends, my park, my gym, my City. I'm almost more excited about going home than I was about coming down here, almost. 

For our final sendoff we took a long bike ride down the beach. We must have biked a million miles on this trip (ok, a slight exaggeration) and now that we know the little man likes it so much, our first order of business when we get home is to get bikes. And a bike seat of course. 

Here are some pictures I snapped along the way. As you can see there wasn't another person as far as the eye could see.

After about a half hour we stumbled upon some fisherman. 

A quick Hola and we were on our way.

I tried to keep up with my men.

And eventually I caught up to them. 

At last we reached the end, a small little cove that looks like something out of the Beach (you know, that great book turned crappy Leonardo DiCaprio movie?)

We saw footprints, but no feet to go with them. 

I immediately jumped in the water. Yes that floating "rock" in the middle of the picture is in fact me. 

Oh, Costa Rica we will miss you...

Speaking Of Hair.

I'm going to go out on a limb here and say out loud, It is SO NOT COOL to die your toddler's hair. Here is the super stylish Gwen Sefani and her little guy Kingston. It is obvious from these photos that she has somehow bleached his hair. Having been down the bleach road a few times myself I can tell you that BLEACH BURNS. Nothing hurts/itches more. I get that she wants her son (accessory) to have a "look" but is this really necessary? I try not to bash any other mommies on this site, and this is why you will here no comment from me regarding the binky in his mouth (god knows at the rate we are going that too will be my kid) but I do think that coloring your kids hair is way, way, way over the top. Paging Billy Idol....

Gone Feral.

The people have spoken. The little man needed a hair cut. 

Arranging a hair cut in the middle of the Jungle is sort of like arranging a drug deal. You find a "guy," who knows a friend of a friend, who knows someone who "cuts." We were given a time, 3:30 and we were sent to a place down the road called the Enchanted Forest. No joke. At said forest we were ushered into a little room that looked kind of like a yoga studio/tea room/ bedroom/ hair salon. And by salon I mean there was a chair, a mirror, a pair of scissors, and a pair of clippers. Oh, and about 6 dogs. We figured since it wasn't surgery this place was as good as any. 

I was then greeted by a girl far more Boho than I could ever be and she sat us down on the little stool, covered us in a sarong and went to work. 5 minutes later and quite a few tears later (by the LM of course), and about 8 pounds of hair later, our little Phil Donahue was now our little feral monkey. 

The result?

  TaDa!

I think he looks too cute for words! The Husband even admitted that he looked much "cooler" (in temperature and in social standing.) I just can't stop rubbing his little head. It's so soft and fluffy. I'm so used to seeing ALL THAT HAIR that I love that his little face is now the first thing I see when I look at him. 

I'm sure we will grow it our for the Winter, but for now this will be his "Summer look."

Scarred For Life?

When the little man was just a wee little man I would always swaddle him in this blanket called the Miracle Blanket. And by swaddle him, I mean tie him up so tight that he was in a straight jacket, and would remain that way for the next 12-13 . I wasn't just being cruel, the little guy loved that thing. It really was the Miracle it promised to be (seriously, if you just had a baby or are about to have one you NEED this thing.)

 I would take screaming, inconsolable infant, wrestle his little arms at his side, tuck said arms in a little pocket, and wrap, wrap, wrap my no longer screaming child up. Within seconds he was already nodding off for bed. The thing was like prozac for both of us. It may also be the reason I am so willing to have another baby. 

When he was about 6 months old, and started to roll over I finally pulled away our security blanket (no pun intended) and the little man was finally free to move all around (theoretically, if he had the ability to actually do so.) I figured we had just grown out of the swaddling stage. 

I may have been wrong about that.

The little guy is now obsessed, OBSESSED, with being wrapped in a towel. We have noticed it for a while but no more so than on this trip. I'm starting to think all that swaddling may have done something, scarred him in some way. 

No harm, no foul as far as I'm concerned. If he wants to be the kid in college who sits around his dorm wrapped in a towel, who am I to stop him? Or if he needs to take a break from chosen profession to sit in his office all wrapped up, more power to him I say. I guess I could figure out a way to make a 6 foot miracle blanket if need be.....

Clearly, I'm kidding. Just goes to show how easy these little guys are to train (aka mess up.) I hope all that swaddling didn't leave the little guy scarred for life.

The Clomid Diaries.

Over the past few months I have heard from quite a few of you out there regarding your struggles with infertility. I can't thank you enough for your support and I am sending all of the baby dust in the world back out to you. 

Today is (finally) the day I start the Clomid. I am extremely hopeful that this will do the trick, and the only question we will have is, is there one baby or two? For those of you who are considering this route, or are just curious, I'm going to track (on the side of the blog) my daily issues/side effects/ etc during these cycles. Hopefully, there will only be one cycle, but as I've learned through this journey, fertility is not something you can control. I'm just hoping western medicine can do the trick.