it's raining today, which is great. it's forcing us to slow down and unwind from a long week of firsts and fun. alden's been napping for over an hour now, which is unusual lately--i think he's worn out!

raising this little bunny in brooklyn has given me a whole new understanding and appreciation for how some people end up unintentionally over-booking their kids. we are by no means eager to push alden too hard and we certainly don't ever wish to expect him to perform beyond his age-appropriate capabilities, but damn if there isn't just SO much to do with babies and kids in this city! so far, he seems to enjoy our outings and adventures, but i'm going to have to pay special attention that he's having as much fun as i am. heh.

so what did we do this week?

monday was, as posted previously, library and swings day, which was fairly low-key and relaxing.

tuesday we hung around at home for most of the morning, playing and singing before going in for alden's nine month checkup. he had a great time playing with all of the toys in the waiting room, though he especially enjoyed opening and slamming shut the wooden play oven. and then, the doctor! bun is slimming down and had only gained 10 ounces in two months, which had me worried, though the doctor thought nothing of it. maybe it was the month of tummy troubles? his new workout routine? anyway, he's otherwise perfectly healthy, so we'll just watch and see. it's just strange that our little butterball, previously weighing in at 77th percentile is now only in the 41st. eh! ian and i aren't big people, so i think this is ok. anyway, we also got our first shot! yes, grandparents, breathe easy. he's being vaccinated. we started with DTaP, which went over just fine. he gasped when the shot was administered, but didn't cry and never ran a fever or reacted in any way. i'm feeling much less anxious about all that now. whew. after the doc visit, we sat in the park with some buddies until it was time to go home to see papa.


wednesday! we met up with some mid-brooklyn friends at the prospect park zoo. alden LOVES sea lions. he stared at them intensely and kept shouting, "EH!" which, loosely translated means, "take me over there!" later, we had lunch at a mexican restaurant. alden really likes black beans, queso fresco, cilantro and yellow squash. he isn't crazy about raw green pepper. after lunch, we went to mccarren park and met up with a few buddies for a quick park sit before it got suddenly cold and windy.

thursday we met up with baby and mama friends yet again and had lunch at enid's, which i think may be the baby-friendliest place in williamsburg/greenpoint. alden and i shared spicy collard greens and he ate the lemon from my iced tea. bun has an adventurous palate, for sure. later, we were stuck with the stroller (but without the rain cover) in a sudden downpour. running through the park, we spotted some friends who were hastily packing up their picnic blankets and we all decided to wait out the storm with a cup of tea at a bourgie bodega before walking home.

friday morning we went to the knitting factory for a sing-along with a member of the deedle deedle dees. after that, we picked up sandwiches at saltie and headed to the park with our buddies. alden helped me finish my "clean slate" (hummus, quinoa, pickled beets, etc. on naan)and then napped in his ergo. later he sampled some ginger ice cream from van leeuwen (eh?), had a swing in the park and then napped on his stroller ride home.

saturday, alden and papa spent the morning hanging out, doing guy stuff and listening to iggy pop (who is apparently alden's favorite rock dude) while i attended a clothing swap. then they rode the subway together (with the stroller!) to come meet me in the park. we sat a bit, had a swing, then trucked home, all a little cranky from the pollen itching our throats and the long week finally catching up with us.

today we've been apartment-bound, eating pizza and cookies made by papa, listening to music and dancing and eating books--resting up for another week of fun!