Apple Day 2008

One of the things that we have really enjoyed (yes, I said enjoyed) about living in NJ is the abundance of farms and fresh produce. There is this really great farm a few miles away from us where you can pick your own fruit and vegetables. We often stop by on our way home from the gym and pick up corn, potatoes, tomatoes, watermelon, berries, etc. for the rest of the week (they don't call it the Garden State for nothing). Finn likes the blueberries and watermelon the best, but then again, he's not exactly a discriminating eater.

Last weekend, we went to another one of the local farms, Terhune Orchards, for their annual Apple Day festival. They had food, bands, farm animals, apple picking, a pumpkin patch and tons more. We knew we were in the right place when the band started playing Sweet Home Alabama. Finn was so excited that I thought his head was going to spin around and pop off. He rolled around in the hay bales, sampled frozen apple cider (a favorite), visited all of the farm animals, and crawled around the apple orchard tasting each one of the apples that had fallen on the ground. When we left, there had to be at least 20 apples under that tree with four tiny teeth indentions.

A Little Part of Me is Gone

Haircuts. We've all had them and most of us have had really bad haircuts at some point in our lives. I don't remember how old I was, but I definitely remember the haircut. It was Little Orphan Annie crossed with a french poodle. And it really looked as bad as it sounds. But I firmly believe there is a difference between a bad haircut you ask for ("I need a change") and a bad haircut you are given. This story falls into to latter category. 

Those of you who have dogs and more specifically, golden retrievers, know how insane the dog hair can get. Add to that, a curious, crawling baby boy who puts EVERYTHING he gets his hands on into his mouth, and you have a recipe for disaster. There were times that Finn looked like he was wearing a fur coat. Just like Lily's. I am a pretty bad housekeeper, but I'm not that bad. I just couldn't keep up with it. So, I made a very tough decision and decided to take Lily to the groomer, for a serious haircut (her first). 

When I picked her up (4.5 hours later), I have to admit I cried just a little bit. She just looked so naked and sad. When we walked in the house, Mark asked her who stole her clothes. It remains to be seen whether or not this betrayal on my part will actually cut down on the amount of dog hair.  I have a sinking feeling that instead of lots of long dog hair, I will have lots of really short dog hair. I think if she could talk, she would say "I'm going to my room and I'm never coming out." If only she had her own room.

Before: Lily in her furry glory

After: Too ashamed to even look at the camera

After: Fur coat? Where are you fur coat?

Gone to Carolina

Just a few days after we got back from Alabama, we unpacked, washed, re-packed and got BACK on an airplane to South Carolina to visit Finn's Mimi and Bop. I must have temporarily lost my mind when I booked trips four days apart. To be fair, it's a lot to ask of a little boy. And to pay me back, Finn waited until we pushed back from the gate to fill his diaper with a whole lot of not-so-pleasant stuff. And because we were on an active runway, I couldn't get up to change him. And then we sat for 45 minutes (plus the 30 minutes it takes for the 'fasten seat belt' sign to go off). Every time he moved, and he moved A LOT, he would stir up the smell. I felt really badly for those sitting around us so I thought briefly about changing him on the seat  . . . very briefly. Regardless, we made to to South Carolina and Bop was there waiting to pick us up.

Finn spent the long weekend with Mimi and Bop while I headed to Charleston for a girl's weekend to celebrate Valerie's upcoming wedding. The girls had lots of fun, shopping and eating way to much food. Finn had so much fun that I don't think he noticed I was gone. We both had a great time and consider ourselves very fortunate to have such great family (even if they are Gamecock fans). 

Finn and Mary Daniel

Practicing walking with Luke

Who has a bigger smile?

Visiting Ms. Agnes Lyles (at a young 103)

Mom, Can I grow my hair out like Anderson?

Playing in the yard

Finn and his lil' mama

Finn and Bop

Where the Skies are So Blue

A few weeks ago we headed south to visit my parents in Piedmont, Alabama. Mark was out of town on business for about a week and Finn and I decided we needed reinforcements. We had a great time. For those of you who don't know, my parents moved from Bremen, GA to Piedmont about two years ago. Pretty much it's in the middle of nowhere; however, it backs up to the national forest, a lake and is close to hiking and biking trails. My dad is in heaven. 

Finn got to experience the country life and thoroughly enjoyed himself. He went bike riding, hiking in the woods, and swimming in the creek (redneck swimming pool) with the dogs.  He loved visiting with Big and Bah and his aunt Lindsey and cousin Katie Grace. His Uncle D let him test drive the golf cart. He even brought home a deer tick on his ear so that he could remember his weekend in the country.

The road to get to the house is this long dirt road and every time we drive down it, I hear the John Denver song Country Roads playing in my head. Minus the whole "West Virginia" part, it fits. We had a blast and can't wait to see everyone again.

Perspective

Those parenting "experts" that say you shouldn't give kids food to entertain/occupy them because it will lead to childhood obesity and chronic video-game playing clearly haven't been stuck on an airplane with an 8 month-old. On our recent trip to Atlanta, Finn managed to eat his way through a box of Cheerios, a mini-bagel, teething biscuits, and fruit flavored puffs. And that was while we were still on the runway. I think I speak for all parents when I say we will do ANYTHING to keep them quiet on an airplane. Yes, I'm talking to you Mr. Business Suit with your NYT newspaper and crackberry, sighing loudly and rolling your eyes at me as I walk down the aisle with, gasp, a baby. Believe it or not, it was not my intention to ruin your life by bringing a baby on the plane. That being said, we are getting ready to do it all over again today. Finn is going to visit his Mimi and Bop in South Carolina. Usually he gets his own seat, but today we will be co-chairs. Ladies and Gentlemen, start your engines . . .

Unfortunately, I'm not going to get our pictures from our trip up before we leave (sorry mom and dad). But I came to a realization recently and thought I would share. Like most new moms, I want to protect Finn from everything that could potentially harm him. Dirt, dog hair, germs, yada, yada. I'm quickly realizing that the difference between first time moms life myself, and repeat offender moms, is a healthy sense of reality. They will get into stuff and it will be gross. End of story. I was in the gym the other day and decided to take a peek at Finn in the daycare. There he was mopping the floor with his tongue while the nursery worker was apparently engrossed in the text messages on her cell phone. But he was happy and quiet. So I went back to the treadmill. He also brought back a present from Alabama. In the form of a deer tick. On his ear. Ewww. 

Basically, I'm writing this to remind myself and encourage other first-timers out there. Let it go.

Finn gumming the un-mopped kitchen floor. When I walked in and found him here I decided it wouldn't hurt him to do it a little longer . . . while I went and got the camera 

Big digging the rocks and sand out of his mouth. Who knows how many he got by us the first time.