Brother For Sale

Alessandro's been going through a rough phase...playing rough, that is. He's a hair-pulling, knee-tackling, eye-grabbing kind of guy right now. That's how he thinks he fits in. We're all having a hard time adjusting to it. The girls in particular were at the end of their rope this evening. Ava asked me if I could put Baby Brother in a box. "In a box? What do you mean?" I ask. "In a box downstairs with the other stuff you're going to sell at the Twins' Sale," she answers. "You want us to sell Baby Brother?" I ask. They both nod their heads... Let's go with this and see what come out of their little hearts. I get on the computer and take dictation:

Dear Buyer,
We have a baby to sell and his name is Alessandro. And we don't want to have him because he hits us and do everything else that we don't like and we really don't want him for us. We want another baby brother - a girl baby who will listen to our words to what we say to her. And we don't want to buy Alessandro to us, OK? We want to sell it to you. Alessandro hits a little bit and pulls your hair. It hurts us very, very, very much. And we don't like him. And he goes jumping on our back, pulls our dresses and hugs our knees. We want girl everything.

They're watching me type the email and Ava thinks of an idea. "Let's send this to Antonio [our nephew whose parents are expecting in May]. He wants a baby brother and not a baby sister. Maybe he'll take him." I'm sure Sylvia would, too!

Daddy asks, "But, aren't you going to miss him [Alessandro]?"
"Yeah," says Ava.
"Yeah says Bettina too!" Bettina adds.
But, they both give a look like, "So, when can he move out?"
Poor kids...too bad we love him too much to sell him to someone else.

Better Than a Shot in the Arm

It's the scare everyone is talking about...the local news, the morning talk show, Dr. Dean Edell and every mom at pre-school drop-off: H1N1
There's been so much controversy and panic over how everyone should handle the H1N1 flu season....especially since the vaccine is out late. And, I can't believe how many people, because it's late and not already incorporated into the seasonal flu shot, are scared of the H1N1 shot and think it's actually bad for them. Even my sister, who's an intensive care nurse, pregnant AND has a young child at home, planned on skipping the vaccine. I had to ask: "WHY?!" Well, she summarized, it's a new vaccine and hasn't been tested, so she can't trust it. She was going to get the seasonal shot, because she's been getting that one for years, and that was the extent of it. WHAT? Um, Ainsley....the flu shot, because it's customized every year to which strains they think will hit, is new every year! I know how to get to her, though....I know I'm not convincing...but someone else is: she listened to 2-days of Dr. Dean (which she can do while visiting down in the Bay Area) on the radio and she's converted. Anyone who doesn't get the shot, according to Dr. Dean, especially if you in any one of the high risk categories (my sister was in 3 of them!), should just die from it so the gene pool is that much better off.
Well, the next problem, after you wisely decide to get the shot (and have all your kids vaccinated as well), is to find a place that can give them -- has them actually in store. A few weeks ago, finding the vaccine was an every-day thread in Facebook friends and Mommy-groups communications. Who's got them? Where can you find them?
It was through one of the mom-groups that I learned the City of San Francisco had a large stock of vaccines that they were going to give away at a number of clinics. After following the link, I discover that there's one literally in our neighborhood and I jumped on the chance.
Armed with coloring books, snacks and a stroller to contain Baby Brother, we arrived an hour in advance of the clinic's opening. I was pleased that only about 40-people were in front of me. I was close enough, even, that the kids could run and play in the driveway where they wouldn't be too close to the traffic on the street. Within a half-hour, the line's to the end of the block. Kids run in all directions, women, heavily pregnant, sit in camping chairs that their husbands carried for them, infants sit or fuss in baby bjions or infant car seats. People are talking with each other and the parking lot takes on the feel of a family reunion only the kids were all strangers 45-minutes ago. The clinic ends up becoming a community event.
When the clinic opens, I'm surprised to see not one, but 5 Sheriffs working both in and out of the clinic, reading the rules (high risk people only) to ensure that people behave properly. I think of the other 8 clinics in San Francisco and wonder how many Sheriffs are working overtime so people can get their flu shot. I suppose, however, with all the anxious people worried about being left out, the City didn't want to chance a frenzy or panic. The poor sheriffs ended up being totally unneeded - once inside, they allowed non-children and non-preggers to get their shots, too. So, now, we're all vaccinated with our first round of H1N1. This was 3-weeks ago. Still, almost all my friends living in the East Bay have not been able to get the vaccine, even those with high-risk kids. Their doctors (including my pediatrician) still can't get their orders in. Our pediatrician isn't sure she'll even get some in be the time our second dose is needed. Crazy.
While we were waiting in line at the clinic, Ava, always apprehensive of owies, was still asking why she really needed to get a shot. I told her the shot would be easier to forget than being sick at home for at least a week. She said she thought she'd take her chances and just stay home from school sick, until I reminded her that she also would have to stay home from ballet and Tae Kwon Do and ballet/jazz. She wouldn't get to see her friends anywhere. After consideration, she decides to get the shot. At least it's good to know that she thinks her friends and regular activities are better than a shot in the arm!

Why is Every Kid Under 4 Afraid of Santa?

It surprises me every year...before we're thinking of what to cook for the big Thanksgiving meal, it's always a trip to see Santa! The stores are playing Christmas music and the malls getting the kids excited with Santas abound. We learned last minute about this Santa opportunity at a local nursery and gift store that's known for having the best Christmas displays and tree decorations -- been around since I was the kids' age. They serve hot apple cider (which to Baby Brother, doesn't taste nearly as good as plain apple juice) and home made mint brownies and cookies....HOME MADE (I think I ate about 5!). Each kid got to pick out one tree decoration and we took photos with Santa and put our name in a raffle. We left with lots of cute photos, some knowledge of how German hand-painted decorations are made, full bellies and a prize from the raffle! And I never win those things!
The girls are wearing their Japanese headbands - gifts brought back by Grandma's recent trip there. They have little kimonos that match, too! Alessandro's kimono comes with a matching headband, too -- samurai style.

Halloween On The Hill

Barbie-Princess Fairy (Bettina), a Princess (Ava) and our Little Prince (Alessandro)

Halloween was a fantastic time this year. The girls made up their own

costumes (and carved a pumpkin) while Alessandro got a chance to "understand the rules" and routine of trick-or-treating. At first, he didn't quite know what to do; we had to convince him to take a candy at the first house. At the second house, he took the candy from the first house (which as half-eaten) and put it inside the basket of candy. At the third house, he just picked up the whole basket of treats and started to leave. But, following Ava & Bettina's lead, he learned to take just one..and later, just one handful, and put it in his basket. Funny to watch the whole learning curve.

The girls helped to carve a pumpkin which we entered into the Community Garden Jack-o-Lantern walk party and then Farley's Jack-o-Lantern contest. They won a free hot chocolate, a lollipop, and a whoopie cushion (which has proved to produce much slap-stick style laughter)!

All were tired when we got home and went to bed before eating too much candy. Tomorrow we start daylight savings and gain and hour. I wonder if the transition will be an easy one or if we will all be waking up far too early!

Happy Halloween! Can you find us?

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Boogie for Ba'ha

Ava and Bettina participated last year in a philanthropy event called "Boogie for Ba'ha" (picture is from last-year's event). Their pre-school sponsors the education of a young deaf Palestinian boy named Ba'ha. Ba'ha lives in the Gaza Strip and attends a specialized school for the deaf called the Atfaluna Society for Deaf Children. Ba'ha is the only deaf child in his family with six children and the specialized school helps him to communicate with them as well as the outside world, giving him lifetime skills that will allow him many options to grow up more self-sufficient and full of confidence.



Last year, Ava & Bettina raised $160.00 for Ba'ha's tuition, which is only $600/year. That meant that, together, they helped Ba'ha go to school for nearly one-quarter of a year! This year, they wish to be equally helpful and will promise to dance in the dance party the whole 10-minutes the music plays for your pledges. YOU CAN HELP by:

• sponsoring their dancing efforts (a flat fee or a per-minute pledge) and/or
  
• writing them encouraging notes confirming they are doing something important to help
  

They dance next week, Nov. 4th at 10:30am. Please let me know if you'd like to pledge. Checks (make out to LOPC - Lafayette-Orinda Presbyterian Church) need to be turned in by November 9th.

You can read more about Ava & Bettina's event last year on our blog: http://aboutourbabies.blogspot.com/2008_10_01_archive.html
We are sure to post about this year after its end as well.

Thanks for your help!!
XO,
Allison & Paul

JUMP!

Cousin Braxton (almost 23 months) and Alessadnro (almost 16 months) entertain the crowd by showing they can jump off the fireplace hearth at Grandma's house (a whopping 4"!).

Alessandro - 15-Months

This month, Alessandro gets his 2nd haircut - atop a pony!

Alessandro is

growing like a weed. Each day seems to bring new surprises. While doing busy work around the kitchen, I realize I'm listening to Baby Brother sing "Happy Birthday." How he picked that up, I don't know. Perhaps at William's birthday party? (He was asleep during Elsa's.) However, the girls and I love hearing him so much, we sing it with him just to watch him grin at our recognition and the attention he gets from the applause. He is still experimenting with his gross motor skills, trying to master jumping. So, whenever he climbs a stair or the hearth on my mother's fireplace, we all count, "1, 2, 3!!!" and he jumps and grins, giving himself a hand at gaining both our attention as well as more practice. He is also getting anxious about wanting to hold the spoon during eating time and feeding himself. Usually a disaster, but it's good practice from time to time. I've also noticed that lately, he gets into the cabinets for the purpose of setting the table rather than just making a mess.

He melts hearts in public, insisting on greeting every person he sees with a dimpled smile, a "hi" and a hand wave. He will also blow kisses as he leaves. He is DESPERATE to join the girls at pre-school. He literally jumps from my arms and runs into the classroom, climbing up into a chair to reach the markers and paper or to join the other boys playing on the carpet. He doesn't understand why he can't stay with everyone all day long. The teachers suggest that I enroll him into the class for the 1-2 year olds, but that's not what he wants to do. He wants to be a Sunflower (4's class) just like Ava & Tina and their friends. Much more exciting to draw, do art and play with the big kids.

He still shows no signs of dropping his morning nap or drinking milk anytime soon. He loves watching and chasing the chickens. Sometimes he wants to be with them so much, he walks into their coop, swats and waits for them to come close enough to touch. He is captivated by animals and is nurturing a new love of books. He will carry books all around the house, stopping every now and again to open the pages and show them to people. His favorite is shaped like a race car and came from the Bairds' last visit. I'm loving this age where hugs and kisses come freely and he's usually not far from me - laced between my legs or singing or chatting closeby. He is a real blessing!