Another ABC Book

We have really enjoyed reading the alphabet book that I made for Theo.  At the time I made it, he was starting to really blossom with speaking, saying lots of words.  He can read every word in the book, which is what makes it so fun to read.  Since he wasn't really saying a lot of phrases at the time, I chose to make most of the letter's stand for one word nouns (17 of them), and only added phrases for a few special letters that included his cousins (kissing Kyen, hugging Annalyn, reading with Maci, napping with Aydan and Picnicking with Chloe). 

I'm in the mood to make another book already, this time using "ing" phrases, with as much alliteration as possible.  I started looking for recent pictures that could work, and am already running into a problem... mainly that everything starts with "P".  I can't decide which is my favorite.

Patting Pepper

 Piecing a Puzzle with (Grand)Pa

 Posing with a Pumpkin

 Pulling with a Puppy

This one probably won't be ready for a while (X may be a problem this time), but it's going to be fun to create.

Monthly Picture Outtakes

So, I've been trying to take a photo each month of Eli and Theo together.  Sometimes in matching/coordinating clothes, but not necessarily.  Just something cute.  It's getting a little hard each month.  This time, between Eli chewing on his hand (and shirt), and Theo just being plain ornery, we were barely able to get a passable picture.  But, it was the first good snow we've had this season, and I wanted to showcase their cute new shirts, so even with two timeouts we made it work.  I put the good one on facebook, but wanted to share some outtakes here.

Feet in the air.

 "Tickling" each other.

 Cute.

 Theo was being a bad influence.

The Lion and The Mouse

Since college, I have been slowly collecting all the Caldecott (and Newberry) award winners (and some of the honor books).  I bought this one, The Lion and The Mouse, (the 2010 winner) a few years ago. 

It is a wordless, illustrated book retelling one of Aesop's fables.  I was reluctant to add it to Theo's library since it is so gorgeous, and I haven't actually spent a lot of time with this book yet with Theo, but someone has, because this was what happened during playtime today.

Theo (to Eli): 

"You mouse.  I a lion.  ROAAAARRRRRR!

Don't wake me up!"

It was too cute for words.

Caffe Gelato: Newark, DE restaurant week

So, one of our favorite times of year around here is restaurant week.  While most of the college students are still away, Newark entices us to leave our warm houses to try out new specials at Newark's best restaurants.  Today we visited one of our favorites for a cheap-er lunch than usual-well, it would have been if we had skipped dessert.

I first mentioned Caffe Gelato on my blog over four years ago as the first restaurant we ever visited on Newark's Main Street.  Their specials today for restaurant week were:

French Onion Soup au gratin

or

Roasted Cauliflower Bisque with aged Vermont Cheddar garnished with crisp pancetta

and

House-crafted sun dried tomato gnocchi ‘gratinati’ with caramelized onions, radicchio, roasted garlic béchamel and smoked mozzarella 

or

Prosciutto Panino with sliced apples, Manchego, fig jam, arugula and caramelized onions

I had the cauliflower bisque and gnocchi, while Brian enjoyed the French onion soup and panino.  All four courses were delicious.  My dishes were both very fragrant and delicately seasoned, and perfect on this cold January day.

 Their children's menu is pretty typical, but Theo enjoyed his sweet potato fries and chicken tenders. 

He was just being good the whole time to get his gelato at the end.  He immediately picked out his Strawberry flavored dessert when we walked in and were waiting to be seated, since the gelato selections are right inside the door.  He almost went for "green" (mint chocolate chip), but decided he "doesn't like" chocolate chips-which is the biggest lie I've ever heard.  Two year olds...

Cheeburger Cheeburger (Newark, DE)

After having the Chuckbox as our go-to-burger-place in Tempe, we were quite spoiled when it came to finding the perfect burger.  Chuckbox is absolutely the perfect place for college students to get a burger, beer and onion rings (or fried zucchini in my case).  This one-of-a-kind (and location) restaurant cooks the burgers to order on their huge fire pit, and lets you dress it yourself at the fixin's bar.  We pretty much took everyone who ever came to visit us there.

(couldn't find a pic of us there, but here's my brother-in-law and sister-in-law there)

There is really no comparison to it here in Delaware.  And the first few years we were here there were really no burger places at all on Main St. (though there is a Jake's just out of town).  But, as luck would have it, when we crossed the line from needing a college joint to a family atmosphere, Cheeburger Cheeburger came to Main St.  This is a chain restaurant, that seems mostly to be in our area and some of the south.  Some random airports across the country also have a location.  With a 50s décor, their shtick is to have you "invent" whatever you would like to eat.  Their menu boasts over 1.285 million milkshake combinations, and there are about 30 different toppings to choose from for your burger (I like the black olives!).  They have regular French fries, sweet potato fries, and really thin delicious onion rings. 

We took Brian's parents there last weekend, and it was probably our third visit to the new restaurant.  We have yet to be disappointed. 

You get your picture on the wall with this burger if you eat their big burger in one sitting.

Theo loves the car that his meal comes in, it keeps him occupied for a while. 

 Even Eli had a good time!

Now what...?

On Thursday, I surprised my students by telling them it was my last day with me.  After starting the year out on maternity leave, I only ended up teaching this group for about 2 months.  I'm not one for big good-byes, so I thought just telling them on my last day was the best day to go.  My enrichment was having a going away party for a student who is moving, so I used that as my chance to say good-bye as well.

I finalized their grades and had them complete personal evaluations for me during class, so by the end of the day I had every grade entered and the end of the marking period complete.  After chatting with co-workers, I spent some time at my desk just kind of confused with what to work on.  I went to pack up to go home and was pretty confused when I realized I had nothing to take home and put in my bag! 

I really don't mind the teaching-but the grading, and the hours of prep work that can't be done during the school day are what really make me not want to work full time (while raising babies).  I've always envied people who can get their work done during their actual 9-5 hours and aren't always scrambling to get work done before work or taking it home after. 

 My room before we started packing it up.

I love these drawings... they had to use specific types of lines and write the equation for each line used.  These are form last year, just one of the many things that I had to leave behind.

We spent three hours on Saturday, and four more this morning packing up my classroom (two full car-loads of stuff).  As we walked to the playground afterwards (at Theo's request), I started letting the weight of my job lift from my shoulders.  As I was sitting swinging with my baby, and watching Theo and Brian chase each other through the playground equipment, I realized it was the first care-free moment we (all four of us) had had in weeks (maybe months!).  When we got back in the car, I turned to Brian and said, "Now what?"

Delaware Bucket List: DogTown

After we packed up my classroom, we decided to check one place off of our Delaware bucket list.  We aren't really sure how much longer it will take before we make the official move to DC, but hopefully Brian will start commuting before we have made the physical move.

 But back to the bucket list.  Though I taught in a school very near Middletown, DE, I haven't been to very many places in the actual town.  One that I have driven by numerous times and always wondered about is DogTown Hot Dogs.  Located right on the busiest corner in the town, in the quaintly redone "downtown" area, this little place is small enough to contain Theo.  It was pretty packed for a Sunday afternoon, so we chose a high table rather than putting Theo in a high chair (though they had two). 

Their menu features many different styles of hot-dogs, and a few other things, see at left.

I really liked that their kids menu actually had different size items, rather than all one size.  Most of the time the kids meals are too big for Theo, and too expensive for what he'll actually eat.  I appreciated that the meals were smaller and cheaper for toddlers.  The best part was that the hot dog was already cut into bite size pieces in the " Little Toddler " meal!  Add some ketchup and he was ready to eat.  They also have JUICE BOXES!  One of Theo's favorite thing on earth (thanks to Chipotle). 

I enjoyed my No-Dog burger that was on a great not-soggy yet not too thick bun, and the fries were crispy with an almost breaded taste, plus a side of cheese. 

Brian enjoyed a Miami Dream and Fly' N Hawaiian dog on this January coat-less day, and Old Bay tater tots.  Only in the Delmarva region can you get Old Bay on just about anything. 

But Theo's favorite part was the "Big Dog" statue! 

Elijah: 4 months

Jan. 12, 2013

So naturally, on your four-month birthday you awoke me at 4 AM for a feeding.  While normally, I can fall right back asleep after this, today was a struggle.  So, I am writing your letter to you today on time! 

Your infant stage is far behind, as you continue to grow quickly.  You are trying to sit up on your own, and can sit for long periods in the bumbo.  Dada let you try the jumper this month, and you had a great time twirling in there.  A tooth could be coming soon, because you are constantly drooling and chewing on whatever you can find.  Your only real problem seems to be dry skin, and we are trying to fix that.

I can't wait until a week from now, when I will again be a stay-at-home mama with you, and be able to spend all day watching you grow.

Weight:  17 pounds
Length:   26.25 inches
Size:  Same as last month!
Feeding:  Pretty much the same as last month.  During the day you like to eat every three to four hours.
Sleeping:  Last night you slept from 10-4 before waking up to eat, and have been sleeping since 4 as well.  Naps come and go during the day.
Likes:  grandmas, chewing on things, toys
Dislikes:  being hungry, tummy time
*You giggled today!  Grandma found your ticklish spot (your neck!).  It was the sweetest sound!*

Blogging in 2013

Despite the fact that blogger tells me my last post was on Nov. 1, I actually have been keeping up with my blog I just haven't been publishing anything I write (I had no way to upload photos to my computer so all my posts are half finished).  Hopefully that will change soon. 

My computer went down in November.  It was a very sad day, but we found that my original laptop was still alive.  Thus, I've been using it for a couple months.  However, it works at the speed of about a 1990 computer and has no camera for using Skype (amongst other issues like lack of photo editing software-I can't even crop a photo).  Luckily, my in-laws helped me out with a nice Christmas gift to go toward a new laptop, so I'm now happily speeding along on a new computer again (though figuring out the new Windows is taking some time).

When I first started my blog, I mainly wanted to give my distant friends and relatives a look at our life here so they could feel a part of what we are doing.  Several of my friends "back home" (whether that is Arizona or Indiana) have blogs that inspired me to start mine.  However, as we settled here in Delaware and started our family, my blog changed along with us.  While originally I was highlighting the places we discovered here in Delaware, in recent years I have also added on posts with information about babies and toddlers and raising them here.  I use this place as a diary that I hope will be interesting to them when they are older.

As we anticipate moving to DC soon, I assume my blog will change right along with me.  As new posts highlight all the new places we will discover there (picture this mama with a baby strapped in a baby carrier tightly holding the hand of a toddler on the metro traipsing all over DC this spring), I am going to try to be a little more explicit when posting about these places with info that other mamas/dadas would find helpful (such as:  kid-friendly menus, changing facilities, nursing rooms, general age guidelines for places). 

After being here for so long, and bringing two baby boys home to this tiny apartment, it is bittersweet to anticipate our move.  It will be the third time in the last decade that I have left everything I know behind (except Brian), and started in a new place.  But, it should be an exciting new chapter to this blog.  I thought of changing the title to 2304 miles minus 100 miles (exactly how far Brian's work is from here, back in the direction we came from), but I thought that was a little too complicated. 

Elijah: 3 months

Dec. 19, 2012

Today you turned three months (and one week) old!  Mama forgot to write this on time, but since I am home sick today I decided to try and write this.  You have been such a good baby all day, just mellowing out while mama sleeps and tries to feel better.  I hope so much you don't get sick, but your little smiling face has sure helped me through this rough day.

You are such a smiley baby!  When you want attention or picked up you just turn on the charm and give a big flash of your toothless gums.  This month you have really wrapped mama around your finger with your sweetness.

You did have a little cold (runny nose, cough) a few weeks ago, but are feeling great now.

Weight:  15 pounds, 9 ounces
Length:  (did not measure, first month without a doctor check-up!)
Size:  The 6-12 month winter clothes I bought you fit surprisingly well, and size 2 diapers are fitting best.
Feeding:  When mama went back to work, you started getting some bottles and have done pretty well with them.  You eat right before and after I work, but only eat twice while I'm gone, and continue to nurse several times through the night.
Sleeping:  Your starting to stretch into fewer, longer naps now.  You sleep a lot in the morning, and are normally pretty tired by 8:00 at night.  You stay in your bassinet for the first part of the night, but normally end up in bed nursing with mama.
Likes:  smiling at Mama, Dada, and brother; grabbing and holding rattles and toys
Dislikes:  when Theo bonks you accidentally

Elijah: 2 Months

Nov. 12, 2012

This month we finally cleared up your jaundice (breast milk jaundice this time) and baby acne, but now you are getting some dry skin in this cold month.  Your hiccoughs are happening less, but you do still get them.  You started the month banging your head into our shoulders a lot, but have really started holding up your head pretty well now.

You have ridden in the Moby wrap quite a few times now, and seem to like it (you always fall asleep).  You like to sleep in your swing often too.  When awake you like to hold onto toys, and have started liking being able to watch your mobile.  You have learned how to give really big smiles when you want picked up or played with.  They are so precious.

Weight:  13 pounds, 9 ounces
Length:  23.75 inches
Size:  We're into size 2 diapers, and your 3-6 month clothes. 
Feeding:  You eat every few hours now (for about 15 minutes a time).  You have experienced a bottle now and took right to it.  Some nights you will go almost 6 hours before waking to eat.  You burp really well.
Sleeping:  You are still such a good sleeper.  You end up sleeping with mama a lot after your early morning feedings, but spend the first half of the night in your bassinet.  We don't swaddle anymore, but have started the sleep sacks.
Likes:  Toys that rattle, Mobile, mama, Dada, and big brother
Dislikes:  Cori barking at the mail man

HallOween

So, for some reason, I have decided that I would really like to make my kids their Halloween costumes for as long as they will let me.  But I am not one to spend a lot of time with an elaborate costume.  I try to find ideas that are fairly simple (cheap) and quick.   Here are the ones we have come up with so far.

2012:  Football 1 month old and Football Player 2.5 Years Old

Having a newborn at Halloween kind of narrows the options, but I saw this on pinterest months ago and knew it would be perfect.  The football onesie was very easy.  Dyed it brown, and then used fabric glue to attach white bias tape that I already had in my craft supplies.  Brian gets the credit for making the stitching look as realistic as possible.  Bias tape worked much better than ribbon, which the glue kind of bled through on.  We put a green sleeper underneath for warmth, and thought it could double as a the green grass on a football field.

 For the player, we used a Colts jersey, blue socks, and white sneakers that we had at home.  For the pants, we bought some girls leggings and just adding two strips of ribbon down the side.  Theo was most excited to put on "mama's make-up" for his eye black, and was tolerant with the pads that dada made for him.  My husband spent quite a while making very, very realistic looking shoulder pads out of a plastic container and cardboard, and kitchen twine. He also made thigh pads out of cardboard and stuffing.  It was a little dangerous walking around in Eagles territory with the Colts jersey on, but he still got treats from everyone.

2011:  Johnny Appleseed:  1.5 Years Old

This year Theo had just begun saying the word "apple", so it gave us the inspiration for this costume.  Hubby again got in on the action with this one, creating the hat that Theodore would wear (a real pot was too heavy and wouldn't fit his head correctly).  He used cardboard covered in tin foil. I added a quick vest I made out of some brown cotton material I found, and made a quick pouch for his "apple seeds" (candy bag!).  Theodore carried an apple with him, and rolled up his pants to complete the look.  He could have gone barefoot to add to the look, but that wasn't practical. 

2010: Chocolate Chip Cookie 6 months old

For his first Halloween, I made T a cookie costume.  I simply made two light brown circular pillows, and then added dark brown chocolate chips to each one.  He still has these pillows on his bed.

For some more recent costume ideas, check out 2013 and 2014!

Kilby Cream

After a quick search of my blog, I realized I have never really done a post about one of our favorite local places, Kilby Cream.  Though this one is a bit away from Newark, I would still consider it close enough to call local.

A quick jog down 95 will lead you into rural Maryland (third state Eli has visited now).  It always amazes me how quickly we can get to the country here. When we lived in Phoenix it took FOREVER to get "out of the city".  Here we are not nearly as trapped in the urban sprawl as we were there.

This dairy has really great ice cream, a petting zoo (calves, goats, mini horses, etc), and a playground that Theodore just can't resist.  And in the fall it is home to a corn maze.

Last year was our first time there, and we had a fun time taking Theodore through, though we went at a busier time and some of the lesser behaved children annoyed us.

But this year, we had the whole maze to ourselves on an early Sunday evening, and Theodore really had a blast leading us through.  He wanted to "read" the map the whole time, and kept deciding "This Way" at all the intersections. He was oddly right most of the time too.  Every now and then he wanted to trick dada by telling him to go a different way, but then would get worried when he was gone.  T would literally jump in the air when dada would sneak up on him by going around a different way, and then start giggling.  It was a lot of fun, and of course was followed by some great scoops of ice cream!  Not a normal fall pairing, but one Theodore is probably going to always link-  ice cream and corn mazes.

Elijah: 1 Month

Oct. 12, 2012

Today you turned one month old!  You are still the sweetest baby ever.  I've started calling you "little goat" because you sound just like one when you mewl.  However, I much prefer that to crying and am lucky you are so calm and rarely cry or spit up.

Your umbilical cord finally fell off on the 1st of Oct.  After being grossed out by it for a month, your brother turned 360 degrees and became upset when it fell off and complained he "want cord back" for the next few days.  You seem to be interested in your big brother, and like to watch him.

Weight:  10 pounds 14 ounces
Length:  22.5 inches
Size:  We can just barely squeeze you into newborn clothes and diapers, size 1 and 0-3 months fit better.
Feeding:  Like a clock.  You eat every two hours if you have a "half order" and every three hours if you have a "full order".  At night you only eat every four hours.
Sleeping:  All the time!  You do like to get up more in the late afternoon and evening hours, which works well since that's when dada comes home.  You like to sleep on mama, but will also sleep in the bassinet and the vibrating chair.
Likes:  Being swaddled at night, rocking and being cuddled.
Dislikes:  Binky, hiccups (you get them all the time!)

First Out of State Trip

I have felt a little trapped in my own house since the baby was born.  I really can't leave with both boys, since I am not supposed to lift Theodore and there are too many instances in any trip where I would have to lift him and I haven't fully started driving yet after my surgery.  And Brian is working as much as possible, so he can't really take us many places.  But today, I made him take us for a little outing.

We couldn't really decide what to do, but I've been wanting to drive up to Lancaster for a while now, so we headed north without any real plans except to find some "orange trees" as we instructed Theo.

By the time we got there around noon, we were quite hungry so we searched for restaurants on our GPS and randomly picked the fifth one it listed - The Smoketown Diner.  Apparently, Smoketown is one of the many, many towns that cluster outside of Lancaster.  It was a small diner, loud enough that Theo wasn't too distracting to everyone else, but quiet enough that the baby stayed asleep pretty much the whole time.  It was a cheap meal, and pretty filling but not too large portions, though we had to wait a bit.  Though I normally don't order dessert, I was excited to see peanut butter pie on the menu and disappointed when they didn't have any.

We picked up a guide and a map here, and were interested by a dairy, and a pretzel shop, and headed that way.

The dairy, Oregon Dairy, turned out to be the perfect place to spend one of the last nice days of the year with both boys.  We ordered some really tasty ice cream and ate out on the ice cream deck which was perfect with the sun warming us.  Theodore then had a great time playing on the playground, and I enjoyed seeing all the white deer they kept there.

Then we traveled just a bit more and came to a nice, historic town called Lititz.  We found  "the first commercial pretzel bakery in America,"  Sturgis Pretzel Bakery.  Though it was too close to nap time for us to take the tour, it looked interesting and was only a couple bucks a person.  We picked up some bags of pretzels, and a few hot freshly baked ones as well.

On our way out, we enjoyed the rest of our scenic, winding drive, and headed home a different route through Gap.  Of course, we had to stop at our cheese shoppe there.  Theo, always the chatterbox, thanked Bill for the cheese as we left with Manchego and an Irish cheddar with porter.

Elijah only cried a little on the drive home, as he was getting a little hungry.  Overall, it was a very successful first outing as a family of four, and Elijah's first time out of his home state.