Hippity Hoppity
We had a terrific Easter. It helps that Lux is currently in a period where she is pretty darn fascinated with eggs, so the idea of Easter eggs went down pretty smoothly. She is also fascinated with candy in all its various forms, so there was a lot for her to enjoy when it came down to her basket.The Easter bunny is another thing entirely. The weekend before Easter we were on our own, as Nana Jane had gone to Pennsylvania to visit her Aunt Jean. We made a big decision and opted to go out to brunch in Arlington. One of our favorite kid's clothing stores, Cosmo Tots, was having a special appearance by the Easter Bunny and was right across the street from Whitlows, a great bar/brunch joint. We got there at 10 am, figuring all the single party types who live in Arlington would still be recovering from the night before at that hour. We were right. The place was filled with parents and kids, but we had no problem getting a table.
We met up with Matt and Maya and their daughter Alexandra and Carl and Allyson and their son Jesse for a mini Bradley reunion. In general, brunch went pretty well, though Lux was a little subdued, as she was probably coming down with a cold from her play date on Friday with Liam and Katherine (it was a Bradley kind of weekend). Nick was great. He got a little fussy sitting in his car seat so Susan simply put him in the Baby Bjorn and tried not to spill eggs on his head.
When the meal was done we trooped across the street to meet the Easter Bunny. Outside the shop someone was wearing a giant fuzzy chick emerging from an egg costume. We thought Lux might like that, but she didn't seem to recognize the furry beast as a chick. Inside, the bunny was not appealing to her. We sat her on his lap for a quick shot, but she was definitely not a fan. He did give her an Easter egg filled with candy, which she liked but couldn't open, but it didn't endear him to her. Alexandra and Jesse did much better. Alexandra was pretty happy with her candy, and Jesse thought the egg was a ball and thus was pretty happy himself. Nick was asleep in the Bjorn so we decided not to roust him just to force him into the lap of the bunny.
Of course, since we were there, we did a little shopping and picked up some things on sale. Lux got a funky brown jacket and we bought a scarf for Nick that he'll be big enough to wear next winter. We thought about going home, but things were going so smoothly, we couldn't help but stay out shopping. Susan breastfed Nick while Lux and Paul played on the slides at the playground outside the shops and we bought a new crepe pan for making omelettes and Lux's fried eggs on. We also bought some Girl Scout cookies to feed Susan's sweet tooth.
Nana Jane returned to us on Monday, but stayed with Karen. Still, she came over to play with Lux and Nick and help keep things tidy and organized. Good thing too, since Grandma Paula and Grandpa John were the next grandparents on the schedule.
As with Nana Jane, Lux's favorite activities with Grandma Paula and Grandpa John were playing ball outside, going to the park (Slide!) and feeding the ducks. Sadly, the weather, which had been growing warm and sunny, went back to cool and damp, but there were enough decent days for some good outside play. Grandpa John was clever enough to make an Oobi face out of sugar maple seeds, which Lux loved, and Grandma Paula brought lots of books on being a new sister, which Lux liked for Grandma Paula and Grandpa John to read to her. By the end of their visit Lux was able to say Poo-Ah for Grandma Paula. Nick was, as usual, sleeping much of their visit, but they did get lots of chances to cuddle him up and more than a few opportunities to try to calm him when he got fussy.
On Easter eve we got started on a few new family traditions. We made candy Easter eggs, which came out surprisingly well, although not looking a whole lot like proper eggs. We also made confetti eggs and a dozen of the standard dyed ones. On Easter morning, Lux came down, and with a little direction, found her hidden Easter basket in her fort. Once she realized that the plastic eggs contained goodies (Goldfish crackers, jelly beans or quarters) she was thrilled and wanted each one opened for her right away. Nick's basket of cuddly toys was brought out to him, as he wasn't really up for searching for it. Lux promptly appropriated it for herself.
We got Lux dressed in her Easter best, then Nick as well, threw together a high calorie brunch, and took some pictures. If it looks like Lux has a big red mark on her head, it is because she did, after a tumble the day before. Next time we hope she'll break her fall with her hands instead of her face. Lux then moved on to Easter basket number two from Grandma Paula and Grandpa John. She particularly liked the noise maker and rubber duck soap it held and she wanted to try out each color of chalk and crayon that it contained. Aunt Karen joined us for brunch and brought the all important orange flower water for the Ramos Gin Fizzes. Then we went outside for an egg hunt. Lux cheated a bit by climbing up on boxes and looking out the window while the eggs were being hidden (well, strewn about the back lawn). Even so, she wasn't entirely sure what to do at first. It didn't take long, however, before she was running all over and filling her basket. Nick, sadly, did not participate much in the event either.
What Nick does do is all the normal baby stuff - which is still sleeping, eating and pooping. He sleeps now from about 9 pm to 3 or 4 am, then back to sleep again until 6 am, with a "dream feed" at around 11 pm. Sadly, he still seems to have some problems with painful gas or acid in the morning, so the time from 3 or 4 am until 7 am, when Paul and Lux start their day, often is pretty terrible for him, and so for Susan as well. Some days he is crying and fussing for hours in the morning. We are trying to find ways to comfort him, but haven't found any real solution yet. He also spits up a good deal, which can't be pleasant for him and makes Paul's job as chief laundryman a little more difficult, what with all of Nick's changes of clothing, Susan's changes of clothing and the great piles of spit up cloths.
Still, in spite of his problems, Nick seems to be doing very well. His tracheomalacia makes him a noisy eater and breather, but doesn't seem to be worsening and he does seem to be growing well. Lots of his newborn clothes are too small, and he has been out of newborn diapers for weeks now. He seems to be gaining strength in his neck and back each day and often enjoys long blocks of tummy time. He also likes his bouncy chair and is happier there than any place save the baby Bjorn. He enjoys a warm bath now, though it seems like washing his hair is making him bald. His hair also seems to be lightening some, as his sister's did. We suspect we see a reddish tint to it now, but if his coloring is like Lux's that will fade away to blond. His eyes we aren't sure of. They may be a bit bluer than Lux's were at this time, but it could be that we just don't remember.
Next week Lux starts swim class and Lux and Nick will begin taking Music Together classes. This week we will just enjoy being a family of four.
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