A Reading night's sleep!

Last night, Danielle, Tavi and Izzi came over for pizza and helped Isaac feel safe. We also realized what contributed to the bedroom fear Sunday night.

I forgot that early Sunday night I told Isaac a "funny" story about our family trip to Vinalhaven last summer that started with a motel bed breaking while we lay in it. That wasn't meant to be the takeaway, but given Isaac's imagination, he combined that story with his his new Pepere Bed (my childhood bed that my dad made) and how our bed was "broken" to bring it to Reading (disassembled). Knowing that's what caused the confusion and fear, I'd like to make a book about how we moved that includes how beds are taken apart and put back together.

Anyway, having the cousins over made everything normal and fun. Even the thunderstorm outside was exciting and loud instead of scary.

After the group bath and the Cambridge cousins departure, Isaac was ready for sleep. Then I did a very normal bedtime. 10 minutes later he was up asking for PJs (it was still hot, but he was cold). After that, he was asleep until 6am. Phew! At least we've had one good night!

New everything

The move went really well on Saturday and we have now had two nights in the new house! A big shout out to my parents--who despite being 72 and having had Isaac for two nights-- moved boxes, a heavy bed and random objects all afternoon. Also big shout outs to Nicole for watching Isaac all Saturday and Danielle for his dinner and ride home. Thanks to the Masons and Jenn for listening over the last month as I complained about the movers canceling and other fun surprises. To those wondering, the blue striped couch has made it to another home.

It's not a shock really, but Isaac is having a hard time. Yesterday we went to Watertown to clean and swim and he was too terrified to get out of the car. He claimed "the monsters are in the Watertown house!" No swim and many tears later, we had a nice evening in Reading. Until bedtime that is. Oh man, we have problems! He "does not like" his new bed OR his old bed. He couldn't fall asleep and didn't want us to go downstairs. He was still crying and running out of his room past 10 pm after waking up from a nightmare. Josh ultimately slept next to him on the floor after, "my new room is bad! I don't like it here!"

Josh and I feel so guilty about all this that we're not parenting normally. We chose to move and bring in a new bed. It is a lot for our very imaginative boy.

So it was a surprise when my little guy woke up a changed boy: "what a good cook you are Mommy." Later, "thank you for getting my milk. I love you."

I'm now on the commuter line to Boston and Josh just drove Isaac to his second-to-last day of daycare in Watertown. His good mood remained but was shy going to his class.

Any ideas about how to make this easier? Tips welcome! 

Josh's Mac & cheese muffins were a hit!

It's a bit chaotic at our house right now:

--Josh is finishing his year at Lexington High

--I'm teaching Genetics at Tufts in a couple weeks

--Isaac is leaving his daycare and his beloved Steph-and-Izzi days

and the big one...

--We're moving this Saturday to Reading

My parents will have Isaac for a few days to give Josh and I space to pack the rest of the apartment and then we'll reunite in our new home. Lots and lots going on, but we there is still joy in little achievements like Isaac loving a new dinner (okay, homemade mac and cheese isn't new, but baked in a muffin pan is!).

Fwd: Home

Homeowners at 231 High Street Reading, MA 01867!

Motorcycle buddies

What a nice long weekend!

We stayed local and Isaac and I went to the Children's Museum on Saturday and had an absolute blast. I think it blew his mind how much fun he could have in one place. I can't recall ever seeing him that excited and engaged for that long  (10am - 3pm!). For dinner, we went to Danielle and Zev's and enjoyed every second that Isaac and Izzi play like little partners in crime. It's a joy watching the two of them--not to say they don't fight--it's just that they have a natural, easy way with each other.

On Sunday, we had our old friends Adam, Dayna and their daughter Sasha over for brunch. We've known them so long that a long time ago, I changed Sasha's diapers and helped her use the toilet when she was small. Seeing the tall(!), talented, beautiful woman on Sunday before me, I almost cried. Her sister, Jordan, was busy with her crew team and couldn't make it because her team is so good they are going to nationals!

Later on Sunday, we played at the playground with Maya and Jenn to be joined by Josh's sister, Ella! She was visiting MA briefly and stayed with us for the night. We all continued to play, dance and eat pizza back at our house.

On Monday, we played at the playground and then went to the zoo in JP with Jenn, Paul, Maya, Ryan and Pat. It WAS a zoo at the zoo with lots of crowds, but the amazing playground was what we were really there for(!) and spent a long time trying to keep Isaac and Maya from falling from the crazy structures made for children over 5 years old. Later that night, with Ryan seated at the "adult" table, we ate BBQ and enjoyed watching Isaac and Maya play together in the yard. They haven't always enjoyed being together, but this weekend, I heard them calling for the other and saw them hold hands--unprompted!

For whatever reason, hearing Isaac make his own conversation with another child and engaging with another child pleases me tremendously. He's still a little boy, but in those moments, I glimpse into the future and see him becoming a capable and independent person.

Brandeis Graduation

I know, I know. I graduated already, right? Well, yes and no. I defended in July and got my diploma in August, but never walked in a ceremony. So yesterday, Josh, Isaac and my parents watched me get hooded and then join my "colleagues" on the graduation stage--for the whole time. My participation was totally ceremonial--inside the fancy binder there was a plain note from the registrar saying I already got my diploma. The ceremony was also very long! All the majors had their names called and some had their dissertations or awards listed as well. So yes, it was ceremonial and yes it was more than a little boring, but I am happy I did it. Isaac said I was a princess when I had my black robe on and you know, maybe I didn't fee like a princess, but I did feel transformed out of my normal self for at least a few hours. Here are some pictures that my dad took of the day.