Musical Morning at the BSO

This morning we made our family outing a music concert at the Meyerhoff in downtown Baltimore.  The Baltimore Symphony Orchestra (BSO) has a "Music Box" series geared towards families with little ones 6 months-3 years.  This month, the theme was Bugs!  We purchased our tickets a few weeks ago and lucked out going on this rainy Saturday; it was a perfect indoor activity.

Thirty minutes before the concert began, there were different stations with musical instructions and other toys to develop musicality, creativity, coordination, and literacy.   Shakers are a dime a dozen at the library and other play areas, but cymbals?  Now that's a new thing.

I am slightly fearful we might have a drummer in our future

The concert was held in the lobby.  There were three musicians (pianist, cellist, and violinist) and a woman who is a dancer, storyteller, and singer.  Each musician talked briefly about their instrument and played a short piece.   

You can see how low key the concert was.  It was packed with
families.  It's always nice when you know everyone is in the same
situation as you: trying to keep their children quiet and nearby.

We sang songs like "The Itsy, Bitsy Spider" and "Shoo fly".  Our usually vocal singer was shy during the performance; however, she was a respectful audience member and clapped at the appropriate times.  Braylen had to be distracted with some goldfish to keep him seated.  He followed his sister's lead with the clapping at the end of the song.  30 minutes was a perfect length of concert.  I am disappointed we can't make April's show, which is farmyard animals.  I know that would be right up my "e-i-e-i-o" loving kids' alley.  

Sneaking in some more goldfish post-concert

As two parents that played instruments and met in the marching band, we can only hope our musical genes will be passed onto our little ones.  I am pleased to see they were somewhat interested today.  Good job BSO reaching budding musicians!

Our Perch

This is a perch (courtesy of google.com)

This is our "perch"

Our "perch" is participating in week four of her seven week class at the Y.  I encouraged Jason to be the one to take the class with her.   He didn't put up a fight.  I am proud to say that my husband is the only dad in the pool with his child.  I don't know if that makes me look bad or him look good.  I say makes him look good.  I gave them a few weeks to get acclimated before I stayed to watch her class.  This was my first time seeing her in action.

We hyped Evie up for swim class for days before the class using Maisy to show her what to expect.

We discussed how Mommy will drop Evie off at the pool and Daddy will meet her there after work.  Daddy and Evie will change into their bathing suits in the locker room.  (Evie's class meets on Tuesdays from 5:30-6 PM).   

Evie enjoys looking for Daddy's car in the parking lot and waiting for Daddy to walk out to pick her up in his floral swim trunks, Old Navy flip flops, winter hat, and button down work shirt, usually plaid (it's been about 30 degrees every week).  He's a looker ladies.  All four weeks she has been really excited to see Daddy for swim class.

I don't think the other men in the locker room would
appreciate Jason taking pictures of Evie getting ready in there,
so I'll show you what Maisy is doing :)

The first task is to get your child into the water.  After viewing said task on week 4 of the class, this is a challenge for some.  Once they are in the water, they sing the Wheels on the Bus, getting the "perches" to move their arms and legs in the water.

Once they are warmed up, noodles are used to practice floating and kicking.

Evie was proud to tell me after week 2 that she floated
"on my own"

Daddy said Evie was clinging to his neck for a good chunk of week 1, but by week 2, she was all smiles and willing to do everything.   I got to see Evie swim without the help of a noodle or Daddy this week!  I took a video, but my phone did not capture it well enough to share with you.  A still picture will have to do for now

swimming (looks like doggie paddling to me)
to the wall!  She smiled the entire time or
she might be freezing.  You be the judge

Evie laughs when Maisy blow bubbles and says Daddy does it too.  Evie attempts to blow bubbles, which usually results in her ingesting water.

Half way through the class, the kids sit on the wall and they sing Humpty Dumpty.  Parents are encouraged to lift his/her child up and dunk them.  Evie did not appear to be a big fan of going under (when I saw her this week), so Daddy just dips her in from her shoulders down.  

At this point Braylen and I left.  I am so pleased that Evie and I are enjoying their special time together.  I know Evie is shy in new situations and was slightly worried it would take her weeks to feel comfortable.  She is doing such a great job!  I think Daddy has just signed himself up as the swim parent from here on.  

Oh, I can't forget to mention Evie's favorite part of swim class.  Getting to shower with Daddy.  Thankfully someone at some mom event said something about taking a shower with their child.  I thought it sounded odd at first, but it makes sense to practice at home before you are out at the pool or beach and need to shower them off.  The shower can be a scary experience for a little one.  

Unlike Maisy, Evie wears "shower shoes" (AKA Jellies)

Our goal was to get Evie ready for the outdoor pool season; we hope to minimize fear of the water.  We don't belong to a pool, but we know lots of friends who do.  wink, wink.

Toddler Boy Battle Wounds

The accidents to Braylen's face in the past three weeks have produced more blood than I care to see over a three week span.  Every time he cries now, I brace myself for more blood as I assess the situation.  It hasn't been pretty, but thankfully only one accident caused significant (it's minor in the grand scheme of things, but major to me) damage to his face.

When Evie falls, she usually bites her tongue or bottom lip.  That makes sense to me.  Braylen, on the other hand, bleeds from under his top lip, which makes it appear at first that he knocked out his front teeth.  It is so bizarre to me that he smacks his chin in a way that causes this to happen.  Luckily the first time it happened Jason was home and we got the situation under control quickly.  We are MUCH calmer with Braylen than with Evie's first few mouth cuts.  It's scary to see blood dripping from your baby's mouth!

On second thought, I take back my comment about being much calmer.  On Tuesday, the kids were reading all their new books from the library in the living room before we had lunch.  I pushed Braylen through his morning nap, so he was running on fumes.  He tripped and fell into the carpeted step into the dining room.  I didn't think he hit anything on his face until I picked him up and all the saliva he was producing from crying so hard was red.

Okay, get ice.  Wet paper towel.  Try to avoid getting blood on my shirt.  I got this.  Oh wait, remember that part I added about running on fumes?  Yep, he was screaming bloody murder, mouth in this case.  Like hyperventilated, back arching, "you will not get anything near my mouth Mommy", "I am so tired and hungry" SCREAMING.  My medical assistant, Evie, tried showing him his favorite book and sweetly telling him "it's okay".  I strapped him into his seat in hopes of getting something near his mouth to clean up the blood.  Evie, bless her concerned heart, cooperatively went into her seat and stayed out of my way as I put on my fighting gloves to battle Braylen swatting at me.

After about 10 intense minutes (probably 30 seconds), I called Jason at work concerned that I couldn't get Braylen to stop flipping out or the blood to stop.  Stress took over and I joined in on the hysterics.  Nothing like getting a phone call at work with your son screaming and your wife sobbing that she can't get the blood to stop.  Jason must have thought someone was dying at this point because he said he would race home from work to help me.  Enter wave of guilt for not being able to deal with this situation on my own that I need my husband to come home from work.

I hung up and frantically rang Lisa.  She wasn't home.  The bleeding was not stopping. I needed backup ASAP.  Then could I find my cell phone to call another neighbor?  No.  As I fly out the door to get my cell from my car, leaving my two children buckled in, I see my neighbor's car and have an epiphany that she is a pediatric nurse at Hopkins.  After multiple knocks, she answers and comes to the rescue.

Braylen FINALLY calmed down after I could cradle him and have someone else look in his mouth.  Shannon said it was clotting up and would stop bleeding soon.  She stayed long enough to make sure I was ok and the blood let up.

Jason raced in about 10 minutes later expecting to see a crime scene and instead saw everyone sitting nicely about ready to eat lunch.  Sigh.

Shannon stopped back a few hours later to check on Braylen and give me her number with a note that said "call anytime".  Nothing brings neighbors together like an emergency :)

Wow, that was a lot of details on that accident.  I'll keep the next one brief.

We went to the zoo on Saturday as a family.  Braylen is no longer the steady, slow walker of a few months ago.  He walked too fast.  He face planted on the gravel.  He cried.  He bleed.  He looks like this.

The day after

And I left Jason in charge of cleaning up and wrestling Braylen this time.

Precious Daddy & Daughter Moments

Evie knows how to push her daddy's buttons, but she also knows how to reel him in.

That's true love for Daddy to share his Chick Fil-A shake

Evie strung some beads on a pipe cleaner and gave it to Daddy.  He proudly wore that purple pipe cleaner bracelet 24/7 for over a week.  He received a few compliments on it too.  Here they are making him a new one on leather string this time.

Daddy points out that he wants green and light blue,
the colors of his kid's birthstones.  

Evie searches for them

Evie loves her alone time with Daddy.  She and Daddy take swim lessons together every Tuesday.  She looks forward to that extra special time with him.  I hope to sneak in this week to get some pictures of them in action.  She is definitely Daddy's little girl (and she will be LITTLE for a long time)

Winter: A Thing of the Past?

The cold front is coming through as I type bringing the temperature from the 60s to the 20s;  I don't think winter is over yet.  But I do know two things:

1.  We have had it up to here with snow.

Evie requested this picture when she and
Daddy went to Target last week after church

2.  These two "THINGS" are ready to be outside

One of the rare times I can dress my boy and girl in the same outfit

We took full advantage of every minute of warmth and sunshine over the past five days.  We brought Braylen's lawn mower, a Christmas present that went straight to the attic, down and it has been a huge hit.  

Guess who has been using it the most?

The grass is too soft and muddy; so far the mower has been around the block 15 times and on the outdoor basketball court.  Braylen has yet to see a real one used this year, but he seems to know what to do.  It must be a male thing.

I think Daddy will have a helper this year!  

We took the kids to the playground two different times, meeting up with friends (and the other billion families combating cabin fever).  Braylen came home both times with dirty pants, something that would never have happened with Evie at this age.  Evie was timid to go in the grass let alone fall into the muddy mulch.  I am happy to report that Evie was throwing dried dirt on the slide and sliding down to "wash it off" with her pants.  She has come a long way.  Maybe her exploratory brother is teaching her to lighten up a little.  I need to learn some stain removing techniques for this season of their lives!

It felt so good to be outside!  We were out "walking" the circle in the 'hood again.  This weekend was Braylen inaugural walk with the Smith's.  We "walked" all the time last year, taking turns holding Braylen or pushing him in the stroller.  Alex will take over the baby role this year while Braylen joins the putzing walking crew.

Evie, for the most part, knows the rules
about the street.  I hope she will be a good
role model for her brother.  He looks like a boy
on a mission

Poor "Gracie"

Evie is always in the lead.  She's our runner/fast walker.
Emily and Braylen are easily distracted :)

I hear the possibility of another snow storm on St. Patrick's Day.  After three days of Spring-like weather, I think most of us are ready to pack up the snow shovels and winter coats for good.  I've lived in the mid-Atlantic my whole life to know that March doesn't necessarily mean Spring.  At least we got a taste of it; we soaked that warm sun up!