Alia is 23 Months old!

We celebrated Alia's 23rd month birthday (okay, actually it went unacknowledged in favor of a pre-2-year-old birthday celebration) here in Turkey. As I sit here in the living room looking at the royal blue Agean listening to music pumping, I reflect on the last three weeks we've spent here and how Alia has blossomed.

During our stay here in Turkey, I've watched Alia grow beyond belief. Physically speaking, Alia has actually put on a little bit of weight. She has come out of her shell and has been eating very well. She loves the fruit here fresh from the neighborhood fruit stand. She's eaten unfamiliar things, different cheeses, and even branched out into mint ice cream. She is brown, thanks to her dad's genes. She also seems taller. All in all, the time away from home with non-stop Daddy time and non-stop Grandma time has done amazing things for her.

Socially, Turkish people have really helped her to come out of her shell. Before the trip, Alia was very shy. Although she did begin to show signs of improvement before our arrival, the Turks are lovers of babies and kids, and every evening when we strolled through the village, men and women alike would approach to admire her, offer her flowers, kiss her feet, pinch her cheeks. I'm not kidding...the Turks love children, and not in the "if I were in the U.S., I'd feel creeped out" way. The affection is genuine, and as a result, Alia now greets people with "Hi" and her version of "Marhaba"(hello in Turkish) which sound  little like "AAbba".

Alia's verbal skills have also made tremendous strides this month. She counts. She strings two and three words together. Her first string of words was "Ice, Ice, baby!"...which may make us bad parents, but we really enjoy our little trained monkey! She also free-styles nursery rhymes....one, two, buckly my Froggy! three, four, shut the Goka! (Alia speak for yogurt), etc.

Alia went swimming nearly every day we were here with her new water wings. In the beginning she was a little concerned about them, but once she realized their value, she happily complied.

It has been a wonderful month for me as well. I feel that this holiday has done both of us good. Our relationship is no longer one filled with daily battles. I have been able to let go of the every-day stress and really enjoy Alia again. She is a bright, funny little girl, and no longer a baby.

Amelie is 7 Months Old

Well. I have to say. Amelie is coming into her own. This past month has been an amazing month of progress. Amelie is happy. She is healthy. She has taken to eating solids. She has consolidated to two solid naps per day and sleeps through the night roughly all the time now. Exhaaaaale. Amelie now sits proudly in a highchair. She models designer scarves...there's nothing she can't do....well, except sitting up unassisted, which we work on daily!

Amelie rolls back and forth, and has become a tummy sleeper. She loves watching her sister above all else. Amelie is nuzzling her way right in to the center of things in our family.

Amelie typically goes to bed at 7 and wakes up anywhere from 5am to 7AM. If she wakes early, I feed her and put her back down. Sometimes she'll go back to bed, sometimes not. She is typically up before Alia, so every morning when Alia awakes, Amelie and I go to greet her. I put her in her crib, and she enjoys playing with toys there. She still does not sleep in their bedroom as we just have too many wake ups between the girls and don't want to risk the girls waking each other up. As it is now, we don't go to either girls in the night unless they don't settle themselves within 10 or 15 minutes.

So there we are...another month has come and gone and Amelie just keeps becoming more of herself. She is happy, sweet, and loves to be apart of things.

thoughts on international travel with baby and toddler

Okay, here I sit in Turkbuku, Turkey. That's an hour flight from Istanbul if you're one of my non-family readers. We made the journey last Friday with Alia and Amelie. This is the second international trip I've taken with baby, and as a relatively seasoned traveler pre-baby, let me just say that it's a different world once your mini-me is along for the ride.

So what have I learned? It's probably not a good idea to try out new hip boutique hotels in the center of the hip up and coming area of a given city. Although that would have been right up our alley 2 years ago, this year, we arrived Istanbul at midnight on a Saturday night. After 20 hours of travel, we found that the 20 minute ride to the hotel took more like an hour due to pedestrian traffic in our little party zone. Now, I could go on but I'm sure you get the picture of two crying, exhausted babies stuffed in yet another mode of transportation and arriving at the hotel with boom boom boom music going full blast. Sure, it looked like fun for anyone who enjoys nightlife, enjoys catching the scenery, but that was not us at that moment. So what did I take away from this? Maybe next time we leave L.A. on Wednesday night rather than Friday night so that we arrive on Thursday night rather than Saturday night. And instead of trying to grab a new Istanbul experience where there really isn't time for one (we were just over-nighting for one night and heading to Turkbuku the following day), maybe our tried and true spot is a better bet...or perhaps even the airport hotel at Attaturk airport would be even better and more streamlined. Oh, and with two babies? Confirm and double confirm that they will in fact have two cribs waiting for you after your long journey. Trust me...you don't want to wait yet another hour for a single crib to be delivered and then learn that there isn't a second one. It's not a good time to begin your toddler sleeping on an impromptu floor pallet.

Staying at the airport hotel would alleviate any issues with Istanbul nightlife and traffic jams, but another thought on leaving mid-week (and thus returning mid-week from our typical 3 weeks away) is that it might be nice for Ajay to return to a two day work week rather than a five day work week. Just a thought.

What else....if you have a baby that is just learning to eat solids? Bring lots of bibs. No telling when you'll get to a laundry facility, and let's just say Amelie still has a way to go with dining and etiquette! Oh, and it is not a mistake to bring your video monitor if you're used to having one at home. This year I brought ours and am so glad I did. Yes, they do require plug converters, and make sure they are the ones that convert current as well as plugs), but it's really helped my piece of mind while they nap as well as the mid-night wake-ups from jet lag.

This time I really packed quite a lot of baby accouterments. I brought formula, bottles, baby food, baby spoons, sippy cups, toys, books, bibs, baby shampoo, baby sunscreen, baby sun hats, and even the spring-open tent that the girls play in at home. And while we have somewhat taken over the house with all of our baby paraphernalia, I am happy I though ahead enough to get all this stuff together. The girls are comforted and entertained by having their familiar things here, in addition to new toys that we packed for the journey. Oh, and I really thought I over-packed the girls clothes? But in fact, I really didn't. Considering Alia's level of activity and propensity for covering herself in water from the hose and dirt from baby-jesus-knows-where, as well as Amelie's general baby-messiness, and Europe/Asia's lack of electric dryers, laundry takes longer to get done. Everything dries in the sun. So I'm glad I packed so many pjs, onesies, outfits, socks, etc. for the girls. Otherwise they'd be wearing either damp or dirty clothes.

Now lets talk about the flight. Last year traveling, Amelie was still on the inside. We flew coach, and Alia had her own seat. She still just barely fit in her infant car seat so she flew in that, slept in that, and when she got antsy, we put it on the ground in front of her seat and let her stand and bounce on the airplane seat. That flight for me was pure hell. Six months pregnant, stuffed in a seat with no way to alleviate my swollen ankles, leg cramps, and general discomfort, I was pretty unhappy for the entire trip. This time we flew business class. We got 3 seats for the four of us and since Alia is still under two, we brought Amelie's car seat on board and gave her the third seat, and Alia was our lap child for take off and landing. Once we were in the air and Alia was ready for sleep, we made a pallet on the floor for Alia in front of Amelie's seat and she slept rather happily for 6 hours which is more than most of us slept. Amelie on the other hand had a hard time sleeping in her car seat and awoke from time to time trying to twist and turn onto her belly. All in all, the flight was a thousand million times better this year. Maybe it was me not being pregnant. Maybe it was that they treat you like a human being in business class rather than cattle in coach. But if you've got miles, I think using them up on business class tickets is miles well spent.

So that's where we're at. Turkey. Enjoying a good change of scenery, time with family, new adventures for Alia, and new sights and smells and sounds for Amelie.

Alia is 22 months old

It finally happened. Here I sit at my computer on the 27th of the month and I just realized that I forgot Alia's monthly birthday for the first time ever.  It blew past without so much as a realization.

That should clue you in to how busy and how at times overwhelming things have been around here. We're getting ready to take off for our annual visit to Turkey and I suppose the preparations for the trip in addition to all the activity of the household, the month passed unnoticed. So there you go...nobody's perfect.

This month I have felt a lot less than perfect when it comes to parenting Alia. It was a huge relief to me when my Mom came for a visit. I swear up until the day she arrived, I could bet that Alia's goal in life was to defy me and test me for all the waking hours. That said, it's getting better. Although there were days that I felt like crying from the moment I got up, that is just one side of Alia. The other side? The one that uses her smarts for good versus evil? Well, she is a delight.

First of all, the words just keep coming. Mango, knees, wine, nuts, bus, eyes, nose, ears, duck, quack, doggie were all learned within a couple of days...some within minutes of the others! She is getting a little more comfortable around other kids and often will wave hello when she sees another child. Unfortunately, she waves endlessly and sometimes the other child will walk away without acknowledging her or will swat at her ever-waving hands. It's tough being a baby/toddler!

Alia is tall. Most people think she's 3 instead of not-yet-2. She wears a 3T in most clothes, and a size 8 shoe! Ajay jokes that she should just share my shoes, but I tell him it's not the same 8.

If there is one theme for my life with Alia, it would be complicated at the moment. She tests me. She resents my attention on Amelie. She still slaps and kicks. She is given time-outs. But she is also a prankster, a jokester, a little girl with a punchline at the ready. She is beautiful. She is quirky. She is very bright. Alia is healthy. Alia likes healthy foods, but not NOT meat. No way! Avacados, yogurt, cheese, and milk are staples. She also likes oranges and bananas, raisins, and nuts (cashews and almonds specifically). Alia likes more than anything her Daddy. Her world begins and ends with him. And that makes him a very lucky man!

Turning the corner

I realize I don't write much these days. Call it writer's block. Call it having the blahs. Call it shear exhaustion from having two under two! I'm tired. I lack creativity. The quippy thoughts that once filled my head have been replaced with wondering about if I'll get a nap in the next days.

I feel like I've just exited a rough patch with Alia. Little Miss Sassypants has really been testing me and questioning her boundaries...almost to the point of me dreading days to come. Seriously, I never thought that I would be the Mom saying I haven't been enjoying my child, but there are those days.  Some days I wake up knowing that Alia is going to fight me all day every minute, and I'd rather be spending that time cooing with Amelie.

What's been going on that's so bad? Well, first, I'm tired...really tired. Although both girls technically sleep all night long now, we can count on 1 to 4 crying outbursts through the night on any given night that may or may not require our intervention. Yes. That's right...Alia, my best little sleeper began waking up at 12, 3, 5 a.m. crying for Daddy. Amelie, who can sleep from 7 to 6 am no problem sometimes awakes at 3 and can't go back to sleep, so finally at 4 I'll get up and feed her and put her back down.  So that said, regardless of how involved we are with a given wakeup, it's interrupted sleep nonetheless.

That said, I feel like we're turning a corner. After my Mom's visit last week, I felt that there had been a much needed buffer and distraction between Alia and me. And while having my Mom here was like caring for 3 instead of 2 (sorry, but it's true), there were benefits from the visit.

Amelie is 6 months old!

I sit here thinking about Amelie...reflecting on where she is and how far she has come. My heart fills with love thinking about this sweet little human being. Amelie weighs in at 17.15 pounds and is 27.5" long. That's right...another girl in the greater-than-95th percentile!

Okay, seriously, she's the sweetest little thing in my life right now. Of course Alia is sweet too, don't get me wrong...when Alia is sweet, she's sweet. But Amelie? She is sweetness....see?!

So what's new this month...well, for starters, Amelie is engaging a million times more. With everything! I have to feed her in an isolated spot because she gets too distracted to eat if she's not!  She loves to watch the palms sway in our yard. She loves to watch the grasses blow in the yard. She love love loves to watch her sister! 

This month marks a HUGE advance in Amelie's sleep. I finally got around to fully sleep-training her...even for naps. Yep, that's right. I put her down, and she now miraculously goes off to sleep on her own...every time. It is amazing to me how quickly she can learn.

Amelie also continued on solid foods, adding squash and sweet potatoes to her old repertoire of rice cereal. She's doing well...I offer her food twice a day (mid morning and mid afternoon) and she typically is interested in eating once, sometimes twice.

Amelie giggles with the best of them...her laugh is infectious. She enjoys being tickled. In fact, when she's really tired and cranky, a good old game of "tickle baby" does the trick every time.

Amelie began resembling Ajay this month...sure the nose is mine, but the eyes and brows are definitely Ajay. Oh, and did I mention this month she'll travel to Turkey for the first time? Here she is trying on her bathing suit....and can I just say how much I love that little body???? 

Who's afraid of their babies?

As I sit here typing this, I have just completed my first day solo with the girls. My nanny had a death in the family and Ajay is on 24 hours at the hospital. Yes, my baby is 6 months old, and Alia is 21 months old, and today is the first time I fended for myself entirely. Except for the day when my Dad was visiting and Ajay had to work and my Dad was put on "hold the baby" duty while I wrangled Alia. Anyway...today? Whew!!!!

I have to say I've worked up to it.  Many days I'll have the girls solo while Ajay is at the gym, or if my nanny is coming in later and planning to stay later, etc. But today? We made it through the entire day. Okay, even that's not true...my nanny showed up but was utterly useless to me (yeah, I know, realllllly nice, Andrea, right? sooo sensetive....so thoughtful) so she went home at 11. So she actually was here for 3 hours. But you know what? To be honest, she was a warm body but I handled everything....Amelie's sleep training style nap, Amelie's feedings, Alia's breakfast, lunch, bath, and dinner. Amelie's nighttime routine. I did it. And know what? The sky didn't fall. There were a few more tears than normal, but we didn't crumble.

And I realize, I am capable of this. If the girls were slightly older and slightly further apart in age, it would definitely be easier, but know what? I can do it. Now would I want to do this every day? All by myself? In addition to the house/laundry/etc.? Ummm, simply? No. Not if I had a choice. I appreciate the help I have and appreciate that I can spend so much time with both girls as a result of having help. I appreciate that on any given day I can grab a daytime nap to compensate for a sleepless night due to teething or whatever. And I appreciate that it allows me to be a little calmer, a little easier.

That's all. I'm the boss. My babies don't rule by fear any longer. Oh, and Amelie? Day 2 of sleep training completed. She put herself off to sleep like a champ for the third time today without a hitch.

Alia is 21 Months!

That's right...our little jokester has put another month to bed. This month, it's like Alia's sense of humor blossomed before our eyes. She enjoys punchlines...usually "GOKA" which is what she calls yogurt. Here's an example...
Me: Who loves Alia?
Alia: Daddy!?
Me: who else?
Alia: Mommy!
Me: Very good, Alia. Who else?
Alia: Noni! (My Mom) Amma!!! (Ajay's Mom)
Me: Very good...who else!?
Alia: GOKA!!!!!!!?

And Goka is said about 40 octaves higher than the other names for impact. Yep, that's our funny girl. Alia is also making lots of connections in her mind....for example...she knows how to sign "wind"...you put your hands in front of yourself with your palms facing each other and then sway your arms back and forth. Well, Ajay and I have always used "did you make a windy" to mean, well, you know...pass gas, and the other words I hate for the natural occurring event. Only now? When Alia makes a windy? She signs "wind" and smiles her biggest Alia smile. If it didn't smell so bad it would be adorable!

Alia is learning sometimes several words per day. All you have to do is get her to focus and she'll play along as long as her attention span allows.

Alia began going to many more social things this month. She goes to gymnastics on Monday and music class on Friday. On the days in between we go to the library for story time. She especially likes the songs...she looks up at me like she's in heaven as soon as the begin Twinkle Twinkle.

Alia has finally gone down to one nap per day. Moving her from a 10AM nap to an 11AM nap in order to accomodate her class schedule has been relatively easy. Now she sleeps a solid two hours and usually chugs all the way through the rest of the day with no need for her former 4PM quiet time. Although if she's cranky? A little quiet time never hurt anyone!

Alia's favorite things are Daddy, Froggy, Yogurt, Amelie, Mommy, Aunt Carol, books, puzzles, and somersaults. She likes to inject Noni and Amma into her stories....Noni rides skateboards and motorcycles, while Amma finds worms with Alia on her walks. By the way, Noni and Amma are Alia's grandmothers who refuse to be called Grandma.

Alia loves her bath. She will not sit in a filled tub, however. She prefers the spout to constantly produce a nice stream of warm water so she can back her bottom up to. She sticks it out for the perfect water/bottom contact. She loves to fill buckets and cups full of water and dump them on herself and all her toys.

Alia is transforming from a toddler to a little girl. She is more sure-footed. She is more tenacious. She is a confident little girl on the cusp of developing more independence. And until then? There's Daddy!

Sleep training...in earnest...

So Amelie turned 6 months old today. And yesterday? I realized I hadn't really been doing the greatest job of sleep training her for her naps. Sure, at night we have our routine....bath, pjs, bottle, and bed. She puts herself off to sleep without fail every night. But naps? Another story.

See, during the day, I have my nanny do the majority of naps, and she is a user of crutches...the bouncy ball instead of rocking chair, and she also will use a pacifier if Amelie is particularly difficult to put off to sleep. Nap time usually involves tears and feeling of forcing her to sleep. With crutches. And when she finally goes to sleep? It's usually for 30-45 minutes. Yeah, not good. Then the process might even repeat itself if my nanny deems her still tired....she'll bounce her back to sleep for however long it takes. Until this weekend.

With our annual trip to Turkey just a month away, I realized I need to get serious about getting this girl trained. I can't be taking bouncy ball on the trip with me! And the last thing I want is to fight the time zone change in addition to an already difficult nap situation.

So this weekend I dusted off my Ferber book and reviewed. I know that he is highly criticized for being the cry it out guy, but if you really familiarize yourself with his theory, you'll find he is much gentler than Dr. Spock of the 70's that all our parents used. Anyway, yesterday we bit the bullet.

And today? Amelie is 2 for 2 on getting herself off to sleep at naptime. There are complaints. There is squawking. But she's already caught on to the routine after 3 naps yesterday following the same pattern. Sleep sack, put it bed, white noise machine on, and "It's sleepy time, Amelie". That's all. No bouncing. No pacifier. No crutches. Oh, and did I mention that this morning's nap was an hour and a half long with no need for intervention?

Let's see how tomorrow goes!

When did I become this....grown up?

Yesterday it hit me. I've lost my spunk.


When Ajay got home, Alia greeted him looking like this....

Her double layer of t-shirts, jeans, a coordinating bindi on her forehead, and also by then her hair was in 3 pigtails. Oh yeah, and matching bunny slippers. You just can't complete a look without matching bunny slippers!

Amelie, too, was dolled up in her Jumperoo, complete with hot pink bindi....

I, on the other hand, have my frumpy in-between stage hair in desperate need of cut and color, makeup I applied at 6 a.m., and the worst clothes you can imagine...a regular Mom uniform of jeans and God knows what shirt (how can I remember yesterday?). Ajay laughed when he saw Alia and said, "do you know who she looks like?" I waited for the answer. He then said, "you! before babies! ...you know, spunky and cute!"

Well, that got me thinking. I felt equally unspunky when my sister visited last month. She had newish clothes, accessories, a fresh cut, good color, and took the time to do her makeup...even touch ups! So I asked myself...what happened?

I remember when my sister was here, we took Alia to one of the carousels that Alia loves to visit. To my delight, as I was getting Alia strapped in, my sister mounted the horse next to her. I mean, why wouldn't you ride a horse on a carousel? I thought about this...I guess since I'm so busy being the Mom and being responsible for the 1.5 year old on the horse that it's no longer an option to default to whimsy. I default to Mom....tired....doing my best...getting through the days with two babies who are totally reliant on me.

But today? It was me in the cute coordinating double t-shirts...one long sleeve, one short sleeve on top. It's me with short cute pigtails, with the sides being held back with Alia's barrettes. Yes, the make up is old, the hair still shows bright strands of gray, but at least I resemble my former self....or at least I think I do.