We enjoyed the IMAX (which was a great place to feed Callen)
Tavish loves the little computers
Callen just hanging out
McDonalds came though with a great toy
And in my opinion photos much better than my last trip.
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Air and Space yet again.
Can you tell that the Air and Space Museum in Dulles is one of our favorite museums? This was Callen's fourth trip and at the time he was not even three months old. As always we had a great trip, we took in an IMAX - Legends of Flight and my dad and I even rode on the spinning simulator (lots of fun aside from the fact my glasses fell off and it took about 20 minutes to find them). For the most part though the museum has not really changed much in the other 3+ times that we had gone (read here) but I did get a tip from another mom blog about how to take better pictures in this giant museum. I alway use my flash (I'm a very beginner photographer) and for the most part did not know any better so when I read on the Snot, Tots, and Espresso Shots blog that the flash washed out the pictures, I decided on this trip to go flashless and these were my results:
And in my opinion photos much better than my last trip.
And in my opinion photos much better than my last trip.
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Fixing the Flat
Well as some of you might know Callen has plagiocephaly or a flat head. Today we went in to get a 3D image of his head so that they can make his band aka helmet. The photo process was pretty painless and they did get a good photo. I am thankful he did not have to get a cast made as that looks much more uncomfortable. It was really interesting seeing the 3D afterward and where his flat spots are. Callen's plagiocephaly was mainly formed while in utero which which makes me feel better. I really did try to prevent it by switching the side of the crib he sleeps on, giving him lots of tummy time, and using the carrier a lot. While I think had I gone to the chriopractor right off the bat it would not have been so bad but hind sight is alway 20/20. Regardless he has to get a band and I'm going to make the most of it. I must say I'm looking forward to decorating it.
Callen getting the 3D image taken (minus the nylon they had to put on his head)
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Time for a Swim
As a former lifeguard & swim instructor I think swimming is really important. I also think that the earlier you get kids into the pool the better. I know some people may disagree with me and I'm by no means an expert. I do know that my boys love the water even though we don't go swimming as much as we should. Tavish was 6 weeks old the first time I took him swimming. He lasted about 7 minutes or so before he started to get cold but he really seamed to enjoy it. I started to take him every few weeks and even took him to a diaper fit class ( an aquafit class for moms with babies in boats - wish they had it here). To this day he loves swimming, jumping in the water, blowing bubbles and won't cry when I stick his head under the water (I did that early too around 6 months or so).
Now Callen loves the water even more so than Tavish did, bath times are when he gives his biggest smiles. With two kids it's not as easy to go swimming but when my parents were visiting we took Callen for the first time. He LOVED it. He could have stayed in the water for hours. I have to say I'm looking forward to this summer while I have 2 pools within walking distance so he'll catch up on his swimming then.
Tips for taking babies swimming
-keep babies warm (a onesie is a good to have under the swimsuit)
-don't plan on staying long - depending on the water temperature and the baby's temperament, a baby may only like the water for a few minutes
-take bath times as a cue for when a baby is ready for swimming. If your baby hates a bath then they will most likely hate the swimming pool; wait until they like a bath before you take them to the pool
-go as often as you can and find a friend to go with you as it makes it more sociable for both you and your baby
-go when the pool is not busy - during the week in my experience tends to be much quieter than on the weekend, during the day when kids are in school is the best
-make swimming fun, sing songs, bring toys
-swim diapers are a must and they usually need to be combined with a swimsuit (many pools don't allow a baby in just a swim diaper), I prefer cloth swim diapers but I also prefer cloth diapers but there are many disposable swim diapers too
You should not be nervous about taking your child swimming, think of it as a giant bath. If you need help just ask a lifeguard or take a swimming class. Taking babies swimming not only is it fun but it will make learning to swim much more enjoyable for the child, the parents and the lifeguard (there is nothing worse than teaching a kid to swim who won't get into the pool) .
Tavish's First Time Swimming
Now Callen loves the water even more so than Tavish did, bath times are when he gives his biggest smiles. With two kids it's not as easy to go swimming but when my parents were visiting we took Callen for the first time. He LOVED it. He could have stayed in the water for hours. I have to say I'm looking forward to this summer while I have 2 pools within walking distance so he'll catch up on his swimming then.
Callen First Time Swimming
(sorry about the bad quality, it was really humid in the pool)
Tavish having fun
Tips for taking babies swimming
-keep babies warm (a onesie is a good to have under the swimsuit)
-don't plan on staying long - depending on the water temperature and the baby's temperament, a baby may only like the water for a few minutes
-take bath times as a cue for when a baby is ready for swimming. If your baby hates a bath then they will most likely hate the swimming pool; wait until they like a bath before you take them to the pool
-go as often as you can and find a friend to go with you as it makes it more sociable for both you and your baby
-go when the pool is not busy - during the week in my experience tends to be much quieter than on the weekend, during the day when kids are in school is the best
-make swimming fun, sing songs, bring toys
-swim diapers are a must and they usually need to be combined with a swimsuit (many pools don't allow a baby in just a swim diaper), I prefer cloth swim diapers but I also prefer cloth diapers but there are many disposable swim diapers too
You should not be nervous about taking your child swimming, think of it as a giant bath. If you need help just ask a lifeguard or take a swimming class. Taking babies swimming not only is it fun but it will make learning to swim much more enjoyable for the child, the parents and the lifeguard (there is nothing worse than teaching a kid to swim who won't get into the pool) .
Tavish at swimming lesson in the summer
Monday, February 14, 2011
More Snowy Fun
I must say while I love the warmer weather in Virginia, I must say I do miss snow that last for more than a week and I could do without the crazy panic when snow does fall. Anyway here are some pictures of the latest snowfall (2 weeks ago - I'm a bit behind on my blog because we're too busy doing stuff).
Mr. Snowman
Sleding down the hill with Grandma's help
I can't wait to take him on a bigger hill
Time for snow angels
Callen joins the fun
He's not to sure about it
Sunday, February 13, 2011
3 Months Old
In 3 months Callen has traveled to:
Mount Vernon, VA
Washington, D.C.
Baltimore, MD
Gaithersburg, MD
My Boys
Friday, February 11, 2011
Mount Vernon
The second stop on my dad's historical tour of the D.C. area was Mount Vernon. Mount Vernon has historical significance as it was the home of George Washington. This was my second trip to Mount Vernon and second time seeing it in the winter (we went last year in December with Kyle's mom and sister). Mount Vernon in the winter is quite beautiful but I would love to venture out here in the spring (before the onslaught of school trips) or fall. The best part about Mount Vernon in the winter is how quite and peaceful it is. I think we saw maybe 3 or 4 other small groups wandering around and we even had a private tour of the Mansion. The problem with coming in the winter is some of the buildings were closed for renovations and the pathways to the dock and stables were closed.
After touring the house and the outlying buildings Tavish was getting grumpy and hungry so headed to the food court. I must say I was quite surprised at how good the food was here; for museum fast food it was some of the best I've had in a long time.
Unfortunately our visit ended in a bit of ciaos. I need to finished feeing Callen and then run to the washroom so the plan was that my mom and I would meet the rest of the family in the museum. Somewhere between the bathroom and the museum Kyle and I musted have crossed paths. Tavish who was quite tired having missed his nap the day before refused to go in the museum (the gun fire sounds scared him and he was tired). From the washroom my mom and I met up with my dad in the Museum and I had just assumed that Tavish and Kyle went to the kids discovery room. Now I did have my cell phone on my but I was told to silence it when we went into the main house and I never turned the ringer back on. When we got to the kids room and Kyle and Tavish were not there, I looked at my phone and missed 5 calls. Oops. Kyle was pretty mad. Tavish was not going into that museum at all and really needed a nap so we all decided we were museumed out too and headed home. Aside from Tavish's meltdown and getting lost on the way home (our GPS had issues) we had a great trip to Mount Vernon and I do look forward to coming back in the spring or fall.
Mount Vernon is a great family trip. It's a good place for kids to run around outside but the roped off areas in the house can bit a bit of a problem for some toddlers and preschoolers. The museum is really interesting too and it goes though the life of George Washington and the Revolution. Mount Vernon is a must see if you are in the Washington Area.
After touring the house and the outlying buildings Tavish was getting grumpy and hungry so headed to the food court. I must say I was quite surprised at how good the food was here; for museum fast food it was some of the best I've had in a long time.
Unfortunately our visit ended in a bit of ciaos. I need to finished feeing Callen and then run to the washroom so the plan was that my mom and I would meet the rest of the family in the museum. Somewhere between the bathroom and the museum Kyle and I musted have crossed paths. Tavish who was quite tired having missed his nap the day before refused to go in the museum (the gun fire sounds scared him and he was tired). From the washroom my mom and I met up with my dad in the Museum and I had just assumed that Tavish and Kyle went to the kids discovery room. Now I did have my cell phone on my but I was told to silence it when we went into the main house and I never turned the ringer back on. When we got to the kids room and Kyle and Tavish were not there, I looked at my phone and missed 5 calls. Oops. Kyle was pretty mad. Tavish was not going into that museum at all and really needed a nap so we all decided we were museumed out too and headed home. Aside from Tavish's meltdown and getting lost on the way home (our GPS had issues) we had a great trip to Mount Vernon and I do look forward to coming back in the spring or fall.
Mount Vernon is a great family trip. It's a good place for kids to run around outside but the roped off areas in the house can bit a bit of a problem for some toddlers and preschoolers. The museum is really interesting too and it goes though the life of George Washington and the Revolution. Mount Vernon is a must see if you are in the Washington Area.
Tavish and my parents with the Mansion in the back
Tavish having a great time (before the meltdown)
Callen taking it all in
Tavish had a great time playing in the corner
View from beside the Mansion
Just strolling along - it was a beautiful day
Tavish checking things out with his dad
New Computer
Yeah I finally got my new computer. Now I can multitask. Looking forward to all the fun new posts I'll be able to add on my new Dell.
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