NYC, B.C.: Brunch at Balthazar, walk and shop Little Italy, Soho, ABC Home, Union Square Greenmarket, Chelsea, uptown to Cooper-Hewitt (my favorite museum) ... dinner and drinks at trendy new restaurants.

NYC, W.C.: Bialys, playground, carnival at Queens County Farm, diner for lunch, and home to nap.

Now to be fair, we would have gone into the city and done Central Park yesterday, but decided to stick to the outer boroughs in light of the Pope's visit. And since we're here for Passover, we have to have dinner with the Grandparents. Will arrange babysitting on our next visit so we can go out for a proper evening in NY!

(B.C. = before child, W.C. = with child -- in case it wasn't obvious...!)

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Have you ever ridden in a hot air balloon or a helicopter?  Where did you go?

What a random question. But since you asked, yes, I've been in a helicopter twice. Once, a sightseeing tour of the Grand Canyon, and once in a private helicopter over Mt. St. Helens. The latter (pictured) was awesome, one could get used to a ride like that. ;-)

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The pump and I are on our way to Vegas for 36 hours on a work trip. I fly in just before my afternoon meeting today and have a red-eye home tomorrow night, so I only have a few hours of spare time tomorrow evening. Our hotel's not even on the strip. I'm not much of a gambler and am not supposed to be spending $, ruling out shopping or spaing, so that doesn't leave much. I may just go by the Bellagio to try and catch the water show (it was too windy when we were last here) and eat some gelato. :)

This is the 1st overnight trip away from the baby. It was so much easier getting on the plane solo, compared to my last two trips. But I'm not looking forward to trying to squeeze in pumping (pun not intended) during every meeting break. Fortunately L has double backup while I'm gone. His sister is now nannying for O, and O's Aunt Jill finagled a work trip/weekend visit and gets in tonight. So O probably won't even notice I'm gone .... And I'm keeping my spirits up by focusing on the fact that I'll soon be dining on my first in-n-out (cheeseburger animal style) in more than a year! This has probably been my longest INO deprivation yet. I usually have it flown back for me between my own trips west, but L's last Cali trip was while I was preg and I didn't want to risk eating 8hr old meat then. I'm 4.5 hours into a 5 hour flight and this INO talk has my tummy rumbling...

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my first christmas hat

We had a nice time in Oregon. Owen's 11 month older cousin Hailee warmed up to him a little. On Christmas she obligingly sat next to him for a photo shoot in front of the tree. He was fascinated by her and would reach out to pet her blond hair. And by the end of the visit she was bringing him her balls to play with.

Owen's hand-eye coordination improved just in time for the holidays. Rather than just thrusting his hands in the general direction of an object, he can now pick it up in both hands and put it in his mouth. He had quite the appetite for wrapping paper, in particular. He and Hailee had soo many gifts under the tree, we had to stop present opening TWICE for naps. My family makes everyone open presents in turn, youngest to oldest. Even with Hailee and Owen doubling up on their turns, this still took an eternity.

christmas morning

In new baby tricks, Owen groans/grunts violently as if to say "gimme!" in the direction of what he wishes to put in his mouth. And now that he can sit up on his own, he is so over the infant carrier. He digs in with his elbows to resist being put in. Once in, he still takes good naps in it, once he gives in and lets himself relax.

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