Monday...

Going to pick up Sophie in an hour in Thousand Oaks- she has spent the last couple of days at her grammy's house. Our exchange spot is at a gorgeous and spacious library complete with enormous fish tank. Sophie loves to rip around in there - you would swear she thinks it is a playground. She pulls books from the shelves and flips through them- drops them on the floor and takes off to hug and sit with these giant stuffed animals they have on the floors- a big brown bear, a panda, etc. It is not often I am the picker upper there, it's usually geoff, but when I do I try to impart the library manners- shh, no running, please put the book back- to no avail really. We spend about 5 minutes in there until I feel we have had enough of a presence and bail out - back to the car for a sippy cup and some dry, processed snack food- goldfish, animal crackers, teddy grahams, toddler puffs- maybe some dried fruit...

It was a good weekend. On Saturday I took Sophie to Kindermusik and left Alex here with Geoff- a role reversal. It was fun- I do revel in those moments alone with Sophie- I think they are really good for both of us. She and her peers, Kaity and Amber careen around the foam padded dance studio- running to the beat of their own respective drums. The younger kids tend to toddle and move in smaller circles- while our almost three year olds speed around like moons rotating the planet, the teacher. I was told the teacher imparted that they are ready for the next level- where the parents only come in for the last fifteen minutes. They are really growing up. Afterward a part of the saturday morning ritual sophie shares with her dad is to go to starbucks and get a lightly flavored cold milk. This week she chose peppermint and we sat up at the coffee bar. It was fun- it is good to have the rituals- the regular things for the kids to look forward to.
I am pretty adamant about Sophie having a Saturday morning activity with her dad- special time with him-but it may make sense to take turns- that way Geoff gets some one on one with Alexander. On Sunday we went to a 'mommy and me' friend's son's baptism. The ceremony was really nice- and the reception was relaxing, as Sophie was out in Oxnard for the twins', Megan and Kimberly's, sixty birthday party. We ate and chatted with parent friends. Those opportunities are good and rare- to talk with both moms and dads together.

Alex has a mild case of pink eye- which I am treating with Vigamox- a prescription gotten during Sophie's younger days. It expired several months ago, but I am using it anyway as it was almost $60 when I bought it- and I am sure it is still fine. It seems to be helping. He also has a pretty bad cold and is fairly miserable- smuggy and irritated with life in general. Has not been enjoying the baby cereal- the pureed apples, peas and carrots seem to be okay - but he really does not like the cereal. Trick from a mommy pal- put some cereal to the back of the spoon, and fruit or veg to the front. Sneak it in. It seemed to kind've work today- but I think he just wants to nurse for the most part with feeling sick. He is napping now- I got to get in a bathroom cleaning and kitchen floor mopping- a load of laundry folded and a shower in about 45 minutes. Not bad- gotta act fast when the moment arrives. Something about a super clean kitchen floor just makes me feel so competent. Silly.



I am looking forward to sophie being home and heading back to work tomorrow, the balance I think helps my state of mind- though I do feel fairly scattered when I am working- I am sure that is common with moms of young kids. Geoff started taking an antidepressant yesterday- prozac. God I hope it helps him feel better about his life. Fingers crossed.

tea party

So sweet. Yesterday Sophie and I went with 3 other little girls and their mommies (and baby brothers) to the Gilded Rose Manor on Devonshire Street for a real tea party at a Victorian tea house. It was so much fun. Alex stayed here with nanny Rachel so that Sophie and I could have special time together and it really was so nice. There were beautiful china teacups and plates, small silver spoons and napkin holders, pretty plates with tea sandwiches, scones with cream and jelly, and petit fours for the mommies for desserts, and cupcakes for the girls. They really did so well- I had sophie on my lap for a while which felt so great. Since Alex was born that is so infrequent since he is so often in my arms. She used her 'restaurant manners' and like one of the moms, Pam, said, if we start practicing with them now by the time they are 5 they will be professionals in settings like this!

Alex had his first rice cereal on Wednesday- 2 days before he turned 5 months old. Hosed off the high chair and gave it a good scrub before bringing it into the house- it had been in the sideyard alongside old kitchen chairs and one of the poolside lounge chairs. He seems to be doing really well with the swallowing part and not much has come back up. He grabs for the spoon, just as he grabs at everything else. I just love love love him- not any more than sophie but he is such a BABY - his soft baby skin, his chunky thighs and grasping fingers. He loves to see his sister climb into the big bed in the morning - today she kept hugging him and kissed him on his head. At breakfast she wanted to pick out the spoon for him to use. So cute. She and Geoff are off at Kindermusik in Studio City right now for their saturday morning activity- Starbucks for a caramel milk to follow. Alex is nestled in his bassinet, almost to tall already to fit in there. I weighed him the other day- 19 pounds at 5 months! He has got to slow down. In another pound he will need the convertible carseat- ALREADY. Pretty crazy.

The other day, while working from home, Sophie and I had a quick jacuzzi soak during my lunch break. It felt so great- Rachel held Alex in the shade, and he got a good look at what summer will be like. It will be fun to put him in the little pool floater and sail him around the shallow end. I am sure he will love it- smiley little boy. He is so agreeable and interested in everything around him.

Starting next week, every other Friday Rachel will start to come 4 hours earlier - so I will have her from 9 in the morning til 4 in the afternoon. I am doing this so that I can have special time with Sophie in the morning- either for mommy and me, or another activity where I can just focus on her. I just loved having that alone time with her and I know it is good for her too- I can't wait. I figure when she starts preschool I will be able to do this with Alex too- it will be so fun to take him to Gymboree like I did with his sister.

I am so lucky- and truly, truly grateful for my family. I am only hoping that Geoff is on a road to recovery with his health and state of mind. We will see what the next month brings...