Eli & Parenthood at 10 Months

August 24, 2010 in Eli, Movies | Leave a comment

At 10 months, we have a real kid on our hands.  We no longer feel like we have a baby to take care of, but a real kid.  A kid who can’t walk or talk yet, but a kid nonetheless.  He has emotions, curiosity, likes, dislikes and even communication. He’s not speaking in words, but we can still pick up on attempts at language through motions and sounds. Sometimes very bizarre sounds.  (see clip below)

Over the past few weeks, Eli saw his Uncle Brian get married, met new relatives, went “swimming”, tried lots of new food, and just got back from a camp weekend with his grandparents (Nana & Papa) in Lenox, MA.  The Berkshires are home to summer camps attended by Rachel, her brothers, her mother and her grandfather.  Over the past few years, we’ve been making an annual ‘camp’ trip to the area with Rachel’s family at the end of the summer.  Photo above is from Eli’s first visit to Stockbridge Bowl.

On a side note, I’m watching a 30 for 30 documentary about Michael Jordan’s stint in baseball while I type this.  The documentary series has been outstanding.  In particular, “The Two Escobars,” “Run Ricky Run” and “Winning Time.”  Check them out if you haven’t caught on already.

Brother Married

August 18, 2010 in Family | 3 comments

I fell behind on more than just the blog over the last two weeks….but for good reason.  My brother was in town along with a crowd of friends and family for his marriage to my friend Natasha.  The week of the wedding was as much of an event as the day itself.  Brian married a good friend from my days working at Medsite (they originally met at our own wedding in Brooklyn).  A few highlights from the week:

  1. Meeting Natasha’s family at our backyard BBQ, and beating her dad and brother at a game of croquet.  (They both quit after I went ahead.  I guess that’s how they roll in their town.)
  2. Wine tour on Seneca lake.  Special thanks to the owner of Damiani wine cellars for what felt like a 2 hour tasting.  They know how to entertain a group.
  3. Hosting our cousins and their dogs at our house.  In all, we had 6 cousins, 4 dogs and 3 babies under one roof.  And it felt normal.  I’m ready to put an extension on the house and create a family compound.  (I think they have other ideas about that though).
  4. The ceremony, party and perfect weather in the Plantations.
  5. The bride’s best friend calling my brother Bridezilla during her toast at the wedding.
  6. Bonfire and S’mores after hours the night of the wedding.
  7. Seeing my brother & Natasha happier than I’ve ever seen them before.

You’re officially a Piece of Ash, Natasha.  Congrats B&N.

(The picture above is from their fantastic wedding photographers (Tatjana & Charles of Wrinkle in Time Photography)

Eli & Parenthood at 9 Months

August 1, 2010 in Eli, Family | Leave a comment

At 9 months, Eli feels more like a family member than just a baby in our lives.  His personality is coming out, he’s exploring everything he can get his hands or mouth around, and he’s on the move.  He has the knee crawl down, but he moves faster on his belly, and usually prefers that mode of transportation.  He’s standing and walking around tables, chairs and anything he can use for support.  And if there is anything unbolted to the ground, he’ll grab it, put it in his mouth and then throw it across the room.   As parents, we’re spending more and more time chasing him, pulling things out of his mouth, and picking up the path of debris he leaves behind him.  The result is a new kind of exhaustion.  Not the sleep exhaustion from the first 3 months, but something new.  The closest thing I can compare it to is the mental drain you feel after a tough exam.  (One you didn’t study for…)

Here’s a video of his new favorite activity – the shoulder bounce:

Oh myocarditis

July 23, 2010 in Family | Tags: , , | 3 comments

Since this blog is primarily intended as a life update for our friends and family, I thought I would send a quick message on the events of the last few days.   Over the past 11 days, I’ve been fighting a nasty stomach bug, which appeared to travel to my lower intestines over the weekend.  After some tests and a diagnosis, we thought we had it covered and I went on antibiotics.  But on Tuesday afternoon, I ended up in the ER due to chest/arm pain and shortness of breath.  I was put through several tests, but the pain went away and I was kept overnight for observation.  At 2am on Wednesday, the nurse came into my room because my pulse had dropped and she wanted to make sure I was okay.  At that point, I experienced what must feel like a powerful heart attack.  My chest felt like it was being crushed, I had trouble breathing, my left arm ached and then went completely numb, and I began to shiver and shake all over.  The nurse gave me nitroglycerin and morphine which didn’t seem to change anything.  After 30 more minutes, she gave me a drug called dilaudid, which brought me very quickly out of the shock and pain.   From there, things went from scary to confusing, as I was put through a series of tests ranging from a CT scan to a cardiac catheterization. The theory of my cardiovascular surgeon was that I was being rocked by a nasty virus and suffering from something called myocarditis (inflamation of the heart muscle).  As the day and tests went on, everything seemed to confirm this theory.  And at 1:30pm on Thursday, 48 hours after being brought to the hospital, I was headed home with Rachel.  Even now, we don’t know exactly what caused the myocarditis.  Over the evolution of this condition, I’ve tested positive for two known bacteria and one assumed virus.  Since you can’t cure the virus, I’m now at home with antibiotics to fight the bacteria, and a supply of ibuprofen to keep the pain and swelling down.  Overall, I feel tired, a little sore, but relatively normal.

Thanks to everyone for the calls, the well wishes and the visits, and thanks to the staff at Cayuga Medical Center.  It was indeed a scare, but also a healthy pause and reflection on what matters most.  And if this experience was a test on recognizing the important things in life, the answers walked through the door when Rachel came home with Eli yesterday evening…

Eli Meets Crawdad

July 20, 2010 in Eli | Leave a comment

We went to a friend’s house for a crawfish boil last weekend, which I couldn’t fully enjoy due to a nasty stomach bug I’ve been fighting.  But Eli had had a blast, meeting both chickens and crawfish for the first time.  Maybe it’s natural for this age, but he has no fear.  I had to keep pulling his hands out of the chicken coop, and he was diving for the crawfish.  I can’t imagine what this Eli defense is going to be like when he can actually walk around.  It’s exhausting!  A professional photographer was at the crawfish boil, and he sent a few pictures of Eli and me.  Thanks Tom.

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Eli’s Vocal Discovery – Pfthhhhhfftht

July 17, 2010 in Eli | 2 comments

I had been trying to capture this on video for a while, but could never get him to do it on cue.  But this was a video my dad took while on vacation a few weeks back and I just found it on the computer.  Oh, and I recognize that this may be one of those things that is only funny to the parent, but nonetheless, take it away Eli:

On Milwaukee

July 16, 2010 in Family, Food, Travel | Tags: , , , , | 1 comment

I took a trip to Milwaukee last weekend with my brother and a few friends, in advance of his wedding next month.

A few thoughts from the trip:

  • Milwaukee:  My new favorite city in the midwest.  No hurt feelings, okay Chicago?  At least you have Carlos Boozer.  Overall, a nice-sized town, with waterfront, green spaces, great food, and a friendly people.
  • Best Brunch:  Trocadero Gastro Bar – Great food, cool neighborhood and an awesome garden patio.
  • Best Bar:  The Old German Beer Hall.  While you’re there, be sure to play a game of hammer-nail-into-stump.  It’s a pretty bizarre yet gratifying game.
  • Cheese Tasting:  Wisconsin Cheese Mart. Conclusion? Wisconsin cheese good.  Very good.  German cheese bad.  Now I know why it was funny that my grandfather used to stick limburger cheese under my mom’s pillow as a kid.
  • Frisbee Golf: We stumbled on a store after brunch called “Art Smart’s Dart Mart.” Obviously, we had to go in, and Art convinced us to take up the game of Frisbee Golf.  4 frisbee sales later, a city bus ride to the park, and we were on the first tee of an 18 hole frisbee golf course.  It was nearly as fun as regular golf, but much less frustrating-and free.
  • Best Breweries:  Rock Bottom Brewery for best outdoor space on an inlet, Lakefront Brewery for best brewery tour and fish fry (so we’re told…we only tried the beer), Milwaukee Brewing Co. for waterfront patio and a real nice flight.
  • My Brother: Could you really be getting married?  How can that be?  It feels like just last week that we were catching fireflies and playing GI-Joe football.  Natasha will have a life of fun and laughter living with you.  (Okay, there will be some headaches too).  But it was great to have a weekend to be kids again.  Congrats little brother.

Eli & parenthood at 8 Months

June 30, 2010 in Eli | Leave a comment

So, what do we know about you, at 8 months into this life?

  • You have two long rabbit teeth, with two more on the way
  • You have a small head and meaty thighs
  • You love standing, bouncing, and playing in water
  • You seem to like people, the outdoors, music and dogs
  • You are curious and energized by just about everything around you
  • You’re refreshing in that way

As parents 8 months in, we are starting to wonder which traits will be a part of your future personality and which are just passing phases.  But you’re only 8 months old, so we’ll just have to wait and see.  The picture above is from your first visit to a finger lakes winery.  We’re getting you started early.

Goal!

June 24, 2010 in Sports | Tags: | 1 comment

Don’t let anyone tell you that the U.S. doesn’t care about soccer. Was that goal the “miracle on ice” moment for U.S. soccer that we just witnessed?   Yes, I think it was.  Unbelievable.

Check out the many reactions in the video below. Best of all, the facial contortions of the blond guy, lower right…

Eli’s Memoir

June 19, 2010 in Eli, Family | 1 comment

Well Eli, with the amount of travel you’ve been through over the last few months, we’ve been joking that your future memoir will be titled, “Growing Up in the Back Seat of a Volvo.”  Between work, weddings, family visits and vacation, you’ve already logged in over a thousand miles in your car seat.  And fortunately, you’re a pretty good sport about it all.  Right now we’re in NJ visiting your grandparents, cousins, aunts and uncles on your mom’s side.  Tonight your incredible cousin Noah is giving a speech at a fundraiser for his non-profit organization Calcutta Kids. I’m sure you’ll visit him in India with us someday soon.

Last weekend you met your cousin Robin for the first time and saw your Uncle Brian & Aunt Marilyn.  Below are two clips from your travels and visits.  One at your music class and one in the Westfield pool.  You seem to be really taking to music and water.  Is it a sign that you’ll be a great swimmer like your mom and a great musician like your cousins Tim, Mira, Dora and Noah?   Can’t wait to find out…