Putting the Pieces Together

Harvey said "Mombo" for the first time today. He's also getting pretty good at the puzzle thing. Yesterday he did a really hard wooden puzzler. Too hard to explain...will provide photo tomorrow. In music class today he put all of the reindeer to bed by putting scarves on top of them. He also likes to put his Paddington Bear to bed. We watched the Dog Whisperer tonight and are planning to give it to all of our dog-owning friends and family. It was quite an eye opener! It is on Friday nights at 8 PM on National Geographic. Check it out or get it on Net Flicks. In other news.... we are still trying to finalize our vacuum cleaner decision. It seems that you have to spend $400 or more to get the good ones. I am dreaming about the Miele. Joe wanted me to try the Electrolux Pronto. I got it...not convinced yet. I never had vacuum issues until H came along.

Is That a Toupee on Harvey's Head?

We must have taken a million fantastic pictures of these boys last week. Joe, HS and I headed to Berryville, Virginia with our dear friend Jim from NYC for 4 days over Thanksgiving. It was such a relaxing time:

- Singing
-Jamming on the Gilbranson and the Steinway at Jim's sister's house.
-Eating luscious pears, fritatas, tortilla soup, smoked turkey, sweet potatoes and the endless treats that rolled out of Mary Jane's kitchen
-freely and openly discussing politics, books, religion, health-care and all those other "can't touch this" topics
-baking pies (pumpkin and key lime)
-Watching MAD MEN our new favorite TV show on itunes in glutonous quantities
-Luxuriating in the Bathtub after a well-deserved afternoon nap while Harvey slept.... (someday I will miss his 3 hour respites)

and (drum roll) star-gazing on the sacred mountain on a shivery night while we feasted on Jenny's fab paella.

I can only begin to recount the precious memories... There is a meditative peace and tranquility that surrounds me from the moment I set foot on the ground at M and MJ's house on Church Street. There is a feeling of empowerment, love and warmth when we visit. Oh and the wagon rides through the sleepy little town!!! Funny how I started up my yoga practice on the mat again the day before we left and have found my way back... Thank you Harvey for sleeping the WHOLE RIDE OVER and the WHOLE RIDE BACK!! I owe ya one, little guy:) Berryville: the place where dreams become true. Thanks for a beautiful time, Michael and Mary Jane. Let us pamper you sometime in our not-quite-as-sleepy town of Wayne, Pa!

Crib Tent

Click to Play

Tough Day

I had no idea how tough this would be. I guess I just assumed it would never happen to Harvey. One of the kids bit him at play group. Unfortunately we didn't even see it happen as there is a corner in the playroom with a blind spot. The other mom and I were totally shocked and didn't know what to do. I was biting my lip really hard, fighting back tears watching my little guy writhing in pain. The other mom was really embarassed. She hugged Harvey a lot and kissed his wound. She then proceeded to scold her child, tell him not to bite and that they would have to leave the play group. Her son was resisting strongly begging to be allowed to play as she marched him out the door. We hugged each other and said goodbye. She called later to see how Harvey was doing. When I came home, I found a good article on the subject. It was interesting to see what they recommended - which would have been a 3 minute time out from playgroup in this case and increased vigilance to prevent future mishaps. Unfortunately, everyone I have talked to seems to have a story about biting. I guess it is just one of those many unpleasant occurances that life is full of. I put this photo up here to cheer myself up. Yesterday HS pulled out EVERY SINGLE shirt from his drawer and insisted that we put them all on.

Hot as a Chicken

Harvey in Chicken Couture Circa 2006




















....and 2007

Old habits die hard. I am so used to putting many layers on underneath Halloween costumes to protect against the nippy night air. I think I overdid it this time. Poor Harvey was hot as a chicken when I took off his outfit! He was so exhausted from all that activity too and went right to bed. No wimpers, no jumping up, no babbling or talking, not a single stuffed animal was jettisoned from the crib. This boy was zonked!

The Continuing Adventures of Chicken Little

Harvey went Trick-or-Treating all over the Aberwyck. Then we visited various friends to show off how well he still fits into his chicken suit! It is such a great costume. Underneath it he is dressed in flannel and corduroy to keep warm. My logic is a bit flawed here. It's not as though HS was trapsing about the streets of Wayne to collect his candies. We ended up at the Kunda's house eating chili and pumpkin pie - which we did last year - what a spook-tacular tradition. HAPPY HALLOWEEN HARVEY!

Halloween Part I

It all started with the bag of candy they gave him at the Day Care. Harvey likes a good lolly!