Happy Halloween

Magenta and Blue

How much fun is it when you discover a good friend is wearing a costume that compliments yours? Lauren dressed as Blue, and her friend Christina dressed as Magenta - both of Blue's Clues fame, pictured above before school this afternoon.

Mommy with Tiger Cub

Lindsay dressed up as a tiger for Lauren's Halloween party at school. It was a good time - we made frames out of popsicle sticks, decorated cookies, and played games such as pin the nose on the jack-o-lantern, boney bowling, and Halloween Twister.

Cinderella and Blue play pin the nose on the jack-o-lantern

Two Princesses in a bowling competition

Blue and someone's little brother playing Twister

The girls

Wearing their sister t-shirts: one big and one little

Pumpkins

Alec saw that It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown was on tonight, so all four of us climbed into our bed (since it was technically the girls' bedtime) to watch it. It was funnier than I remember, probably because at this point, it's very dated. Lauren thought it was OK. Lindsay was more interested in staring at Daddy and having her bedtime snack.

I haven't done the side-by-side comparison view in some time. I realize they are looking a little less alike these days.

Lauren at 5 months, March 2003

Lindsay at 5 months, October 2006

Making of a hero

While we ate dinner this evening, Lauren recited "Five Little Pumpkins" as Lindsay looks on admiringly. Note the black cat plate and pumpkin bib - Hallowe'en is upon us Chez Stoll. Lindsay was in the middle of eating squash when Lauren began her performance. Lauren was struck silly by Lindsay's amusement with the end of her poem.

We made pumpkins and bats as our art project, and decorated them with stickers sent by G. We also received a spooky I Spy book in the mail from G today. We enjoyed that at storytime with Daddy.

Learning puppy

I'm not sure who likes singing, game-playing Learning Puppy more. Lindsay's too little to make him work except by accident, so it's kind of fun to have an older sibling who can make things work.

Seamus, the very pissed off cat

I'm just about at the end of my rope with the cat.

Alec's travel schedule picked up toward the end of my pregnancy with Lindsay, and became weekly once she was about 2 weeks old. None of us likes that he travels several days a week, but Seamus has taken it the hardest.

He was occasionally peeing on the floor right after I had Lindsay. It seemed to happen when the litterbox needed to be changed. Lindsay got a bit bigger, and I was able to take care of changing it more often. But it seemed that every time I would change the box, he would immediately pee on the floor.

It is happening on a daily basis even though I change the box once every few days. Today, I have gone into the bathroom to find the floor wet 3 times.

Alec keeps pointing out that I haven't caught him doing it.

When Alec went away on Monday, the cat went down to the basement. He didn't come up the entire time Alec was gone, even though the door was open. He wet the floor at the foot of the basement stairs...but the floor in the bathroom remained dry.

What to do about the cat? I am considering moving him down into the basement and setting up a litterbox and food down there for him. He may or may not actually use the box. I'm not all that thrilled at the basement stinking of cat urine all the time.

I've really grown to dislike him, and I feel horrible about that. He was our adored pet.

Watching television together

You'd almost think they like hanging out together. We're watching Little Bear. This was after a long walk in the gorgeous Indian Summer weather. We have been relishing these last warm days before the days get frosty and short.

We painted the "not pumpkins" today. They look like miniature pumpkins, but they're actually a gourd. I painted a face on mine, and Lauren painted polka dots. Lindsay watched and knocked each of her toys off the table one at a time.

The girls

Lauren and Lindsay, October 2006

Hello, my friend...or Overheard in the PM Pre-K line

"Hello, my friend Natalie!"

"Hi, Lauren."

"Mom, this is my friend Natalie. Natalie, this is my mom. You can call her Mrs Stoll."

"Hi, Natalie." I said, cheerfully.

"Hi, Mrs Stoll." Natalie says, standing in front of Lindsay in her snugli. "Hi, baby!"

"My dad calls my mom Heather. But I get to call her Mommy."

"Heather," Natalie says dreamily, "is a pretty name."

"Thank you, Natalie. You have a pretty name also."

The reading project

Lauren is learning to write her letters. She can, in fact, now write her own name. Some of her letters are reversed, and she usually can't write it on one line...but pretty neat stuff.

Today, Lauren's teacher sent home a book. Every week, on Mondays, she will send a book that we must return on Thursdays in order to get a new one.

The note accompanying the book said "Please make sure to discuss the cover, title, and author with your child. Also, let your child turn the pages". So I lay the book in my lap, and said, "Tell me what we have to talk about on the cover..."

"Well," she said, thoughtfully, sitting beside me. "Tell me who the authors and illustrators are."

I did.

"Okay. Now you have to read the title."

I did.

"As we read the book, you're supposed to point out the exclaimation points. And then, ask me what happens next..."

Wow. This reading thing is tricky.

Our reading time ended tonight with The Cat in the Hat. This book was written and illustrated by Dr Seuss. She grinned. Oh, how we adore procedure...

Redacted

Ok, the matching dresses are pretty cute...and this picture is a good example of why it's fun to have girls. Don't you love the dress over jeans look? Lindsay helping big sis with her shoes. Ten dollars says this picture is blown up at Lauren's wedding...

Mama and Lin

Here we are, about to head out and get Lauren at the bus stop. I guess she does kind of look like me these days.

And, yeah, I know they wear a lot of Hallowe'en stuff. What fun is October if you can't wear spooky pajamas? Even if you are too young to know what they are...

Lauren riding Snowball

Lauren, October 2006

Lauren had a pony ride on Sunday when we visited Giamarese Farm. We've been there several times over the past 3 years for the autumnal hayrides, pumpkin picking, and great farmstand.

Voracious little eater

Alec feeding Lindsay, October 2006

"I want to do it myself!"

Lessons in Spanish

Today, we went to Target to buy Lindsay a Bumbo seat, simply because Cecily from Wasted Birth Control has one for Tori. It's a great little chair, and perfect for our cereal experiment today.

There's a Starbucks inside the Target on Route 529 in Piscataway, and we always stop for a little treat afterwards. I ordered a grande iced coffee with a shot of hazelnut syrup, and Lauren chose a vanilla milk for herself.

"A grande coffee?" Lauren asked. "Is that what you ordered?"

"Yep."

"That makes sense." Lauren said. "You are grande and I am pequeño."

"Right! Good job speaking Spanish."

"Oh, I know, Mom."

The cereal experiment was great fun during dinner. Lauren and I had chicken stirfry with fresh veggies and ramen in a lemon zest ginger soy sauce, and Lindsay had a scant teaspoon of single grain barley cereal in about an ounce of milk. She ate voraciously, at times trying to take the spoon out of my hand and do it herself...and at the end she was looking for more.

The girls

Lauren and Lindsay, October 2006

This post brought to you by Auntie Helen

When I was a kid, we used to look forward to Auntie Helen's visits. Helen is actually my great aunt, my grandmother's sister. She would stay with Gramma Jean for some weeks in the summer, and then head back home to New York City.

She taught us to play Gin Rummy, her Viceroy cigarette dangled from her lips as she spoke. She was one of the few adults who would indulge us for hours playing games with us in Gramma's pool. She wore a white bathing cap strapped under her chin not to spoil her always very blonde hair.

There was a game we'd play in the pool, she'd bounce us on a knee and sort of sing/howl:

Ponygirl ponygirl
Wontcha be my ponygirl
Giddyup whoa, don't say no
Come and ride with me
Giddyup giddyup giddyup whoa!
Come be my ponygirl

A quick Google search reveals these aren't actually the lyrics, but that's what she sang.

Every night, the girls and I get into the bath together. I started the tradition when my pregnant belly prohibited my leaning over our large porcelain tub. Now, Lindsay gets bathed first, then Lauren. When it's time for me to take Lin out, we sing the Ponygirl song to her. We sing very out of tune. She giggles and splashes.

Morning announcements

"Mommy, this is called zydeco music," she said, pointing at the Sesame Street gang decked out in their cowboy hats.

"Sure is."

"Do we like that?"

"Sure, zydeco music is kind of fun. Daddy likes the accordion."

I am happily feeling refreshed this morning after Lindsay ate every 20 minutes from 8:30 until 10:30 PM, and which point she fell asleep. I snuck upstairs at 11, figuring I ought to catch a couple hours of sleep before the next session. Miraculously, it didn't happen until six blessed thirty. Lauren padded in with Turtle and Elephant (all of the stuffies from her babyhood have utilitarian names). When I lifted her bangs to examine her forehead, they still look like mosquito bites, so I'm going to assume that's what they are.

Every day the past 2 weeks has been "wear a color" day at school as the kids are learning about primary colors and how they blend to create other colors. Thanks to Lars, Lauren is the only girl who had appropriately colored clothes on orange day (Tuesday) and black day (today). She announced yesterday that Ms Murphy helped her write her name because she knows how to spell it L-A-U-R-E-N. She was pleased to graduate from "making her own L".

My girls and their bright eyes

Lindsay and Lauren, September 2006

Mama's eye view

The Stoll Posse

We all have the same nose!

Mama looks tired, but happy

Jersey girl

We had yummy beef stroganoff and cauliflower au gratin with Karen, Chris, Ross, and Lars last night. Lindsay seems to have developed a large crush on Lars. Whenever you say his name, she looks at him and grins.

Karen commented last night that her boys sound Jersey. It is coming up on 2 years I've lived here,and already my ears are muting out what was a distinct regionalism when I first moved in. Ever so much more distinctly I hear my in-laws from New Yawk, my mom with the blendy-schwa goodness of a New England accent, and my sister's rapid fire language is nearly indecipherable. I know my own accent melts into the sounds around it. There are some words I say that sound distinctly Midwestern, and everytime I have a conversation with Mom both my vowels and my "r"s get a little softer.

I was thinking about it as I awoke this morning. Lauren was already up, playing library with the stuff animals in her room. She poked her head in and announced, "Ear and I are in charge of checking out the books."

Ear?

The second time she walked by, this time to retrieve the bathroom stool, I sat up to see she had her great stuffed Eeyore in tow. Ohhhh. E're.

The stinkeye doctor

The eye doctor has a gorgeous office with all new furniture and carpeting and stuff. I spend a lot of my time in doctor's offices. This place was really amazingly brand spanking new and very clean. There were little flip-type coding flaps at the top of each exam room door. When we were brought to the room, the assistant flipped the pink flap over.

The doctor came in and introduced himself. A good deal younger than I thought he would be for how many people have told me how wonderful he is - probably in his mid-forties. He was very good with Lindsay, and Lauren who was in a little snit this morning.

"Hi, I'm the eye doctor. Do you like doctors, Lauren?" he asked, smiling at her.

Lauren glowered back at him. "No. I hate doctors."

He looked surprised. Clearly this is not the answer he usually gets. "Really?" He flipped around Lindsay's chart to see where the assistant noted the girls' pediatrician, but that just seemed to confuse him further.

"Yes. Doctors are mean and nasty." She folded her arms and pouted.

"Oh. Um. Well, eye doctors are fun. Everybody likes eye doctors." he said, smiling again.

Lauren looked at him doubtfully. "Yeh. Well. We'll see."

The eye doctor has this wall of animatronic animals to get kids to look a certain way while he looks at the back of their eyes. Lauren actually stared at it with her mouth agape. And then when he left the room, she spoke of him in dolce tones as though he were some sort of God.

"Did you see," she whispered, "that the pig, Godzilla, and the tiger all danced together?"

Oh my.

We were there for quite a while, because the issue with hemangiomas on the eyelid is that they can cause pressure inside the eye resulting in astigmatism, so his assistant dialated Lin's eyes. She didn't like it much, so I spent a while pacing back and forth. She fell asleep about 5 minutes before he came back in to check her.

So this will be our routine for a while, returning every 2 months for an assessment of growth and pressure.

More coffee

I am very tired this morning. No, I was not up late partying. Oh you! You're so funny.

Lindsay had a reaction to the DTaP vaccination she received on Monday, which wasn't entirely a surprise. Lauren had similar reactions to them: general irritability and a low-grade fever. Lindsay was further made miserable yesterday by cold symptoms: stuffy nose, sneezing, coughing. I gave her Tylenol for the fever, and tried to keep her nose suctioned out. Treating a baby cold is always tough business. They absolutely hate to have stuff put up their little noses. She slept a lot yesterday, but when she was up and trying to eat, she was a fussy little girl.

Her fever broke around 10 PM, and she slept through the night despite Alec's rising at 4 AM to leave for the airport at 4:30 this morning. Lauren climbed in my bed around 6:30 AM and Lindsay slept until nearly 8.

She sounded pretty good when she woke up, but as she ate, she got stuffier. She culminated her first feeding by spitting up, mostly out her nose.

Lauren sounds a little nasal too, but she also is suffering from hayfever. Poor thing is allergic to ragweed and we're getting into the miserable weeks of itchy noses and eyes. She seems a little less drowsy for the Zyrtec therapy this morning.

If you're wondering if Lindsay looks like me

Dad and me, 1975

I haven't any idea when this picture was actually taken. But I saw it and thought, That smile looks pretty familiar.

Come to think of it, I do smell like a monkey

September 19, 1979

I'm 32 years old today. I am writing that because I am one of those people when asked how old I am, there's a long pause even though I could probably tell you how many days old Lindsay is.

When I turned 20, I really thought I had it all figured out. At 32, I feel like I am in a state of constant learning about the world around me, and even myself. I think that's pretty cool.

Lauren

...weighs in at 30 pounds. She is 36 inches tall. She liked it that Nurse Michelle says she is a yard tall.

A yard!

Lauren had to have a shot today called the ProQuad which is MMR and Varicella together...so one vaccine instead of 4. She also had to have a TB test. We have to go back for a flu shot and her second hepatitis A shot. She's going to be a mad little girl by the end of October, but at least we're done until next year.

Her doctor suggested putting her on allergy medication for 6 months to try to desensitize her of her seasonal and indoor allergies. The medication makes her a little sleepy, but it's taken at bedtime, which just means no middle of the night rousing for a while, which frankly sounds pretty nice. The doctor said that after a couple of weeks, she will tolerate the medication better and not be so sleepy.

Lindsay

...weighs in today at 11 pounds, 10 ounces. She's gained a half pound since her last visit to the doctor. She's 23 3/4 inches tall, so she has grown well over an inch and a half. My mom likes to say that babies can't grow in both directions at the same time...so there you are. She got taller this month. Lindsay remains in the 10th percentile for weight and the 5th percentile for height.

The doctor said, "Oh well, your husband is short," as though my genes don't explain both of my daughters' low percentiles for height.

Although they armed me with a sheet of food introduction order, which seems to have relaxed since Lauren was 5 months old, we agreed we'd discuss it again next visit. When Lauren was a baby, food introduction was cereal: oat, rice, multi; orange vegetable and fruit in alternating order, then green vegetables. It was frankly a little like a puzzle we never quite got right, and they'd always say we should've done something else first or whatever. It didn't escape my notice that the food guideline worksheet is published by Gerber.

Unfortunately, Lindsay has thrush again. Seriously annoying. The doctor recommended buying new nipples (I assume he meant for the bottles). I pointed out that she sucks her thumb now and should I worry about her reinfecting herself. So now in addition to yet another round of nystatin for both of us, I have to wash her thumbs several times a day. I am supposed to wash with soap and dry with a hairdryer after every feeding, which just about sounds like the most comical thing ever. Seriously, did anyone else have to go through this? I don't even have any symptoms of a yeast infection...

The R School

Alec and the girls dropped me off at school for class at 9 this morning. At noon when they picked me up, Lauren noticed that this was a different place than they had brought me last time.

"Is this a different school, Mom?"

"Nope, Lauren. This is where Mommy goes to school."

"Oh. This isn't the R school?"

As I looked around campus, I noticed that many of the building doors and windows had the university logo on them, a big red R.

She noticed it too, and began to point. "This is the R school!"

"Oh, yes. This is just a different building. Rutgers has a lot of buildings."

She nodded solemnly.

Later this afternoon, Alec turned on Rutgers v Ohio. When she saw the university logo, she pointed and said, "Mommy's school's playing."

"You're supposed to say 'Go Scarlet Knights'."

"GO Scarlet Knights!!"

Another photo from yesterday

They look a little amused. Lauren has a bad fake smile, and Lindsay's actually about to cry here because she really just wanted to sleep. Lauren was excited because we were going to have dinner at McDonalds. And pretty much chicken nuggets and fries will wipe away an entire afternoon of studying while Lauren picked up buttons.

I finished my 3 chapters of psychology homework. Wow, I really hope the reading isn't going to be so substantive every week, because that was really my limit. I renew my confidence that taking one class this semester was really all I could handle.

Boo boo face

Lindsay at 16 weeks, September 2006

Cloning

Lauren, January 2003

Lindsay, September 2006

Lauren's first day of school

Lauren's first day of school was today. She spent the entire walk down the hallway to her classroom telling me she hates school, and the entire walk back to the car complaining that she never wants to go back. Tell me how miserable she looks...

Lauren, drawing with markers

Lauren, making her pirate hat

Circle time

Story time

In Memory of Jeffrey Patrick Walz

Nine years earlier, Jeffrey Patrick Walz left a promising career as an electrical engineer for the US Navy to become a New York City firefighter, in the path of his father. It was with Ladder 9 Engine 33 in the City’s East Village that Jeff met Rani Lurie – the woman who would later become his wife. It was Hallowe’en, and his department was dispatched to a party she was attending. Their picture was taken together, he in his uniform, she dressed as a Dalmatian.

“The only way to describe Jeff is to say he was the most caring, gentle, kind and patient person every to enter my life.”

Rani Walz, Jeff’s wife.

Jeff and Rani lived in Tuckahoe with their 3-year-old son Bradley, who, after being told they couldn’t have children, was somewhat of a miracle to them. Every Thursday, Jeff’s day off from Ladder 9, he would do something special with his son. They went to nearby Bronx Zoo and Mets stadium, or spent the afternoon at a park. Jeff shared a passion for mountain biking with his older brother, Raymond. He often would ride his bike from his home to the firehouse, a 2-hour trip.

“The bond between brothers is an extraordinary one that can never be broken. His heroic efforts are a testament to the type of man we can all be proud of. I not only lost a terrific brother, but also my best friend.”

Raymond Walz, Jeff’s brother.

“He cherished every possible moment with his family. He was a wonderful husband and father.”

Karen Ciaccio, Jeff’s sister.

Family was tremendously important to Jeff. He cherished his wife and son. He was proud of being a firefighter.

"Jeffrey grew into a very fine young man, not just as a son, but as a brother, husband to his wife, Rani, and most of all, a wonderful father to his son, Bradley,"

Jennie and Raymond Walz, Jeff's parents.

On the morning of September 11, 2001, Ladder 9 was dispatched to the World Trade Center. Jeff did not escape Tower 1 before it collapsed.

Rest in peace.

Lauren is 4

Birthday girl

Jessie, Lauren, and Jessica

It is barely believable that my itty bitty baby Lauren turned 4 today. It seems like yesterday that hollering 4 pound 3 ounce babe was placed on my chest and my life forever changed. And yet, I can barely remember what life was like before her.

September 10, 2002

You are a constantly questioning little person, and while I try to encourage your curiosity, it does get tiring answering all the whys of life. Your life has a soundtrack, and todays was "It's a Bug's World After All".

The dollhouse with rooms furnished by some of Lauren's family, complete with pictures

You and your buddies enjoyed the day. Lars, "That Guy" aka Ross, Ryan, Jack Jack, and your big friend Jessica enjoyed Daddy's barbeque, played on bikes and kicked around balls. 3 of your grandparents - G.G., Grampie Fisher, and Poppy and your 2 stepgrandparents Nanny and Grandpa Paul attended, along with Uncle Ben and Auntie Maria, Uncle Jason and soon-to-be Auntie Janet. Mom and Daddy's friends Karen and Chris, Rebecca, Jessie and Nick also celebrated with us.

Lindsay and Uncle Jason

Uncle Ben and Auntie Maria


Me, Rebecca, Chris, and Karen

G.G. and Grampie Fisher

Alec, grillside

First words?

We all heard her say, very distinctly, "Got it."

The Girls

Lauren and Lindsay, September 2006

Another Mommy drive by

You remember my last Mommy drive by...It was, in fact, the Drive By of the Day yesterday on Mommy Drive By.

Today, I walked Lauren to daycare with Lindsay in the snugli. We haven't gotten to walk there in what seems like weeks because of the constant rain here in Jersey. It's about a 5 minute walk...it actually takes me longer to drive because of the slow light on Raritan and Third Ave and trying to park.

On the way back, I had to stop in at Century 21 to confirm that we are participating in the townwide yard sale on Saturday and to pick up our signs and maps. So I was standing at a light. Lindsay, who holds her head up well now, was front facing and looking around.

An older woman, probably in her 60s smiled at Lindsay.

I smiled back and said hi.

"Boy or girl?" she asked.

"Girl."

"Hard to tell when she's not wearing pink."

"Yep, well. Can't wear pink all the time."

"How old is your baby?"

"About 4 months." I replied.

The woman chuckled, I assume because Lindsay gave her huge grin with raised eyebrows.

Now, although the neighborhoods in Highland Park have huge trees, Raritan Ave is pretty devoid of vegetation, so it was suddenly quite sunny.

"She really needs a hat if you're going to have her out in the sun."

"Uh..." I stammered. Thinking, why no, I didn't grab the hat. It wasn't this sunny a minute ago.

"Well, I hope you're taking her right back to the car..."

"Ah..." I was suddenly walking very fast away from her.

Y'know, I really must look clueless alone with Lindsay. I didn't receive nearly this much parenting advice with Lauren...

Laughing wild

Yes. Samuel Beckett is a little heavy first thing in the morning, particularly after a 3-day weekend.

Moody madness laughing wild amidst severest woe.

Lindsay sat patiently in her bouncy seat while I ate my cereal and drank my coffee. Once I finished the last sip of coffee, she whined loudly. I scooped her up to discover she needed a diaper change.

Newborn Lindsay hated having her diaper off. Currently, she will fuss until her wet or soiled diaper is off, and then as soon as the fresh, new diaper is under her, she smiles as if to say, "Oh you! That's exactly what I wanted."

Today, we waited for Lauren to fetch a clean diaper. Lindsay looked up at me and laughed loudly. A big belly laugh, "Ha ha ha!" I laughed back. She squealed, kicked her feet, and laughed louder, which made me laugh even louder.

The neighbors

Our neighbors across the street are a very tight-knit family. Ed is retired, a former marine. He attacks his suburban life with military efficiency, from placing little gnomes and animals around his garden, to strategically arranging the 4 cars in his driveway to maximize coverage during snowstorms, to decorating precisely 30 days before every holiday. His wife Dotsy is a heavyset woman, also probably in her late fiftees, with long dark hair. His 2 daughters, Heidi and Holly are both grown, finished with school, yet still living at home. They are probably 3 or 4 years apart. I find them a little hard to tell apart - both slender and pretty, with long dark hair.

Whenever anyone leaves the house, everyone remaining in the house comes to the front porch to call out, "I'll see you later! I love you!"

It's sort of sweet the first few times. Once you realize it happens about 5 times a day, it becomes a little comical to the point that if we see anyone leave their house, Alec and I call in falsetto voices, "I loooove you!"

While it is very endearing to see how devoted those girls are to their parents, I hope our girls won't be still living at home in their 20s...

Midget

We had to go out to get Alec's contact lenses "fitted" today, which really meant we had to have the sample the eye doctor gave him last week replaced. They determined he needed "extended fitting" and charged another $50.

The good news is that my glasses were in, so I picked them up. They look cute, but the stronger prescription, the first change I've had since I was 18, is a big adjustment. I was trying to explain to Alec that it makes me feel very short. He says it's probably been a while since I've seen the ground clearly...

No bragging

Because whenever I brag about my girls sleeping, they stop.

Last night, of course, was another sleep strike. Lauren demanded her stuffies at 11:30 PM, a drink of water, and then had to go to the potty. After I finally got her down after midnight, Lindsay woke up and had to eat. She was up again at 4.

Alec returned on the red-eye from Scottsdale at 7, and woke up Lauren as he came upstairs.

Not so much loving this.