My Sugar

It's slushy, snowy, sloppy outside ... but inside it's sweet!

Ready, Set, Shovel!

Miss Ava Visits Westminster!

This weekend we were very excited to welcome the Lyle girls to our home! A lucky (for us) combination of revised vacation plans and soon-to-expire frequent flyer coupons allowed Alison and Ava to visit us for a few days of fun.

Their first night in town we had dinner at the house and then bundled up the kids in stylish combos of PJs, slippers, coats and hats for a trip to the drive-thru Dairy Queen. Yep, we are cool moms.





The next day we went to the National Aquarium in Baltimore where we saw fish, dolphins, and an octopus (very cool!). Ava and Owen walked hand in hand down the ramp to brave the shark tank, and enjoyed all the sights of the sea, but I didn't get many good pictures.






Saturday we jumped in the car for the short drive to a Gettysburg children's play museum. There we painted (yes, even Alison), ran a construction site, dressed in Union garb, tended to the homestead in Abe Lincoln's cabin, and got swallowed by a giant bubble - fun!











We hope they visit again really soon!

Yeah for Owen!

Yesterday morning was Owen's first solo Tumblekicks class. He and I have been attending the "Caretaker & Me" version for the past 8 weeks; running around, shooting hoops, playing on gymnastics mats and bouncing on big exercise balls in an overheated room at our town's community center.

Owen enjoyed it, but there was always at least one point during the 45 minutes when he would end up clinging to my legs, holding his arms up in the universal sign for pick me up. As for the music and circle time at the end of each class, well, Owen thought that was all quite frankly a waste of time.

But at two and a half (as of the 14th of this month), Owen had aged out. It was time to go it alone in the "Just Me" class and I was nervous. I knew he'd be the youngest, and most likely the smallest. Would he cry as soon as I walked out the door? Refuse to participate? Disrupt the whole class? Be really and truly upset? There are no windows to look into the room; I'd be sitting in the lobby just outside the door with the other moms, listening carefully for my baby's wails of "Mom-meee".

So ... with much trepidation, we went. I walked him in and introduced him to his new teacher. I took his shoes off and told him to have fun and that I'd be back after class. I kissed him and headed out as the crying started. Miss Susan (bless her heart) swooped in and picked him up and within two minutes of the door closing, Owen was crying no more!

Afterward, Miss Susan told me he did great; he played along and especially loved the tunnels so she had the kids all play at that a little longer than planned. He was definitely happy to see me, rushing over with his hand out in front so I could wipe off the stamp they get at class' end (I forgot to mention that little Mr. OCD hates that part). But I think he was proud of himself too - and I know I was very, very proud of him!

Remember, no windows into the room so no pictures from the class; this is a cute one of Owen enjoying his tunnel at home!

Battle of The Birds

As Erin pointed out in her comment, yes, Go Eagles too!

Being born and raised (primarily) outside Philadelphia, I grew up an Eagles fan. I have the Ron Jaworski, Harold Carmichael and Wilbur Montgomery autographs to prove it. I cheered Dick Vermeil and booed Buddy Ryan (but I love his son!). I proudly wore green and silver, loudly defended the "spirited" Philly fans, but wouldn't have thrown snowballs at Santa. Bob and I spent our first date in a Norfolk bar watching the Eagles beat the Redskins (yes, Bob grew up a 'Skins fan; I was able to overlook this fact and marry him anyway).

But then we moved to Baltimore and a funny thing happened. I slowly began to follow a Ravens team with uniforms the color of bruises and a defense to match - and oh, how I love a great defense. I learned the names and stories of the players ... Lewis, Reed, Heap ... and chanted "move those chains" along with the crowd at M&T Bank stadium.

There was something special about this town and its relationship with its football team; perhaps you appreciate something all the more when it's been stolen from you previously (people 'round here still remember the night the Colts left town under cover of darkness). And when a scrappy wild card team crushed the Giants to win Super Bowl XXXV (something my Eagles have never accomplished), Bob and I were officially hooked.

So now I wear my over sized #52 jersey every Sunday, jump at any chance to attend a game, try to visit training camp - held across the street from us at McDaniel College, and love my Ravens.

And what will I do if the Eagles meet the Ravens in Tampa this year? Surprisingly, it's not really a hard choice for me. I'll root for the birds ... the ones that Poe favored. And if the other team happens to win? Well, then I'll be happy about that too (and perhaps someone still living in PA will send Owen an Eagles t-shirt)!

Anyone, Anytime, Anywhere! GO RAVENS!!

One Resolution Down

Day One of "Bed Time Tough Love Plan":

3:30 PM - Owen walks up to me and says "shoes off" (I comply), then heads to the couch, pulls a blanket close ("covers"), and falls asleep. Points off for nap not being taken in his room, but I'll accept it.

9:30 PM - Owen says good night to Ava and Bob and we head upstairs. Two stories and a little cuddle time later and he is fast asleep. Nice.

7:00 AM - I wake up and realize I've actually slept all night! Slight panic - is Owen OK?? Check on him - still sleeping. Very nice! Hmmm, may not have to be the meany after all.

Day Two of "BTTL Plan":

4:00 PM - Owen happily naps on the chair. Well, why should naps have to be in his room anyway?

10:00 PM - Not as happy about going to bed tonight, but some stories and giggling and nose rubbing do the trick and we are both happy.

2:00 AM - Awake, calling for "Momeeee" by the gate. Head into room and say "night time sweetheart" (straight from Super Nanny), put him back in bed, stand by bed for a few minutes. Start to leave, Owen fusses, go lay down with him until he is asleep again.

3:30 AM - "Momeeeee", but calling from his bed this time. Lay down with him until he is asleep.

5:00 AM - "Dadeeeee", Bob falls asleep with him until the alarm clock goes off at 6:00 and I stumble back into Owen's room to wake him (Bob) up.

Day Three of "BTTL Plan":

3:00 PM - No nap, but spent some quiet time on couch with blanket and Mommy.

7:45 PM - Owen is falling asleep while sitting with Bob. Take him upstairs and stay until he is in la-la land once again.

1:30 AM - "Momeeeee"! Get Owen and bring him back to our bed for the rest of the night.

Go ahead. Call me a wimp, call me too soft, call me crazy. Tell me I baby him, tell me I spoil him, tell me I'll be sorry. I know that all the parenting "experts" (save for Dr. Sears who may just be my new hero) preach that children need to learn to self-sooth, to put themselves back to sleep, to "cry it out".

But here's the thing ...

My child spent the first six months of his life in a crib by himself. While I'm sure the care givers tried, I believe there were many times when Owen cried and no one came. So right now I think he needs to know that when he needs us, Bob and I will always respond. We are his comfort, his safety, his love. And that's really important for him - and us.

He is a happy, healthy, good kid. And he's two. It's not like he's going to be doing this forever (I'm pretty sure he isn't going to be sleeping in our bed when he's in high school). And I know that when he is older, I will look back in disbelief at how fast the time has gone and miss the times he slept peacefully in my arms, but I will never think to myself, "gee, I wish I had let Owen cry in his room alone at night more often".

So, I'm tossing aside the Plan. We are going to do what works for us and what feels right for Owen. I'm good with that.

We are going to have to look for a king size bed though ...