Baseball

A few weekends ago, M won the office raffle and got his company's tickets to see the Yankees. I took Monkey with me.

We had a blast. It was wonderful, sunny and warm - OK hot. We slathered on sunscreen and went on our way with sufficient UVA/UVB protection. Did I mention it was hot out? Apparently our cheeks got so red and flushed from the heat that strangers were taking pity on our nordic skin, and offering up sunblock to us, unbidden. (and who ever said New Yorkers didn't care? all together now, awwwwww.......)

Two seasons ago we took Monkey to see the Phillies play, and she became a fan (of the Phunatic, their mascot) - when they went on to win the Championship, M groused about how it wasn't fair that in her first year of fandom, her team won. He's a fan of the Milwaukee Brewers, so you can imagine why he's bitter.

The last thing that M said as we headed out the door was "Do not convert her to a Yankees fan!".........and I didn't try. Really, I didn't.

But when someone asked Monkey how the game was? She said she loved it. And that she loved the Yankees! What can I say? She's my kid.

Baseball Mania

Monkey is a baseball fan. It's official. And she is SO her daddy's daughter, it is amazing.

Saturday we drove down to Philadelphia and took in a Phillies Brewers game. Yes, M is a devout Brewers fan, what can I say (except go Yankees!). We met one of Matt's good friends and his wife and 10 year old son at the game. They live in Baltimore, so we both split the difference and met in the middle.

Monkey not only enjoyed herself, but we made it through 9 innings with her! She adores the Phillie's mascot, the Phanatic, asking where the "monster" was and laughing with delight when they showed the mascot on the big screen.

There was even a cool kids playground with slides and playground equipment. We would have stayed longer but they had to close it down after some kid puked down the circular slide. Eeeuw.

We sent Monkey to school this morning wearing her Phillie's "tattoo" (of the mascot, of course) and she was showing it off to her teacher when I left.

Now, if I could only talk M into getting Yankee's season tickets......

She's his, all right

So occasionally I blog about how Monkey is like me. You know, likes being the center of attention, social, loves books, yadda yadda.

Well last night? She was daddy's little girl.

At one point she started asking (ok, whining) that she wanted to watch something on TV. M and I couldn't figure it out at first............but she wanted to watch baseball! My beloved Yankees weren't on, so we watched the Mets. And Monkey was seriously into it.

Then, M offered Monkey some edamame.......and she loved it. So much that M had to share the rest of his dinner with her! The two of them were eating edamame as fast as he could get the soybeans shucked. Soon, it'll be an edamame throwdown...you know, see who can eat more. Not that he would (*cough cough*) actually do that.

Bonding time

Last night M was a rock star - and by that I mean he gave me the Yankees tickets he got from work and stayed home with Monkey while I went to the fun (but embarrasing - we left when it was Orioles 11, Yankees 0....and I'm afraid to see what the final score was!) game with my friend and fellow Yankees fan Jeremy.

Jeremy and I had a blast. We were up in the deck with a great view, the sun was shining but the wind was pleasantly blowing so we weren't hot, and the drunks around us were entertaining, rather than obnoxious. All in all, a good outing.

Meanwhile, back on the home front, M fed Monkey, took her on an outing for gelato (she spurned lemon but LOVED pineapple), gave her a bath and put her to bed.

And, apparently the streak of going to bed with grace and humor continued! Last night Monkey got into bed (well, her crib), and when M asked her if she wanted to lay down so that he could put her blankie over her she said "yes" and that was that! Lights out, no fuss, no muss, one soundly sleeping child. Wow.

Of course, I was eager to wake Monkey up this morning. She is so incredibly sweet in the mornings, she almost gives me a toothache. Seriously, this kid wakes up smiling! (wish that I could! harrumph). And, since last night was all about daddy, he's the first thing she asked for.

M came through the door, I moved aside, and the look of love and adoration on Monkey's face when she smiled up at her daddy made my day. That tinkling sound? That was the sound of my heart shattering like brittle glass and raining down on the ground.

And the best part is? When BGC#2 arrives, when I'm focused on nursing her and tending to her newborn needs? Monkey will turn to daddy and find everything in the world she needs right there. This is going to be a time of incredible bonding for them. And it makes me happy.

Phew, I'm exhausted

Monkey is officially a kid. A scabby-kneed, sand-eating, thrilled-to-be-alive kid. Wow is she fun.

And her dad and me? We're tired!

This weekend we:

• Drove to the middle of CT to an amusement park that time forgot - it was so cheesy, it was awesome. I've even got photos of Monkey behind the "muscle man" cutout....
• Let Monkey dance to a DJ (company picnic at aforementioned amusement park) that played - by far - the worst/best collection of music I've heard since I was at a wedding that involved copious drinkin' and dancin'....and let's just say that Monkey likes to shake her thang to such tunes as "Baby Got Back" and "Push It."
• Let Monkey run and run and - whoops! she just skinned both knees - on asphalt.
• Watched Monkey inhale no less than 6 slices of watermelon. By herself. Look ma, no bib! Messy.
• Put Monkey into her swimsuit and let her run through the sprinklers in Riverside Park....in October. Global warming......it's freakishly hot here.
• Watched Monkey eat sand. Sandboxes, they're the next "hot" diet in town....
• Generally had so much fun we wore ourselves out.

Thankfully, my beloved Yankees weren't too exhausted and won last night, forcing game 4 in the American League Division Series!! Huzzah! Go Yankees!!!! (yes, I'm watching the game tonight. don't call, I won't answer.......)