Mommy FTW

My loyal readers know that I grew up in Washington DC (in the Chevy Chase / Tenlytown area) and that my parents still live there.  Cameron and I have been visiting a lot lately – and plan to in the future, so I have begun to blog about our adventures there.

I hope my Facebook Fans of Mommy FTW who are in DC can get some use from this – I have also learned that a lot of my mom friends who live here in Fort Greene and Clinton Hill have some roots in DC – pretty cool!  Anyways, because of all the Washington DC related posts that I’ve done, and plan to do, I decided to add a new Catagory to Mommy FTW – Washington DC.  I hope that you all find it useful!

I’m the kind of person who orders everything off the internet – from my groceries, to my diapers, and everything in between.  When it came time to get Cameron his first set of “big boy shoes” (hard soled shoes for walking) I had my doubts about ordering online.  After all, fit is really important, and I didn’t want to slow Cameron down with the wrong shoes.  When I was in DC this past week visiting my parents with Cameron my mom suggested we check out Ramer’s Shoes (3810 N. Hampton St NW DC).  They are a Stride Rite retailer.  She told me that she used to take me to Ramer’s Shoes when I was little… and once we got over there, I definitely remembered it.  Dear readers, I am 31 – so that should tell you this place has been around for awhile!

When we arrived we walked in on another mom who was also there getting her babies first walking shoes.  The mom and baby both seemed very happy with their recent purchase, and I was feeling confident that the saleswoman would take good care of Cameron.  Indeed she did!

Cameron gets measured

She expertly measured his feet – informing me that one was half a size smaller than the other, and that his feet were unusually narrow (like my husband’s feet).  She told me that shoes with laces were better for early walkers, because they offer more support (I had asked for velcro, but she told me this was a no-no).  We tried on a few pairs of shoes and found the right one.

And we try on the first pair of shoes....

They even have  a little piano that is perfect for having babies stand at so you can see how the shoe fits when the baby is putting pressure on the foot.  They also keep a chart on your child of their shoe size, and send you reminders when it’s time to get a new pair.  Overall, the service was outstanding, and I am so glad we went there for Cameron’s first shoes.

Putting them to the test

I am all about buying things online, but I think in this case, going to a real shoe store with someone who knows what they are doing was the right thing to do.  So moms in the Washington DC area, check out Ramer’s Shoes!

Cameron and I braved the snow and made a recent trip back to Washington, DC.  Of course, while we were there we went to the Wilson Aquatic Center (3 times!)  I learned a few new things I wanted to share.

Let's get this show on the road!

1)Babies are now required to wear swimsuits and swim diapers.  We found this out the first day from one of the lifeguards.  He allowed us to stay, but said we should get one for next time.  We were able to find an ugly, but affordable swimsuit at Feline’s Basement in Mazza Gallerie.  Problem solved!

2)The Women’s locker room – which has warmer showers than the family locker room, and is much bigger, and has a swim suit dryer – also has a diaper changing station.  So if you feel more comfortable in there (I like it better, personally) try taking your little one to that locker room instead.

3)Be sure to bring lots of Quarters for the meters outside.  If you don’t have any, you can park at the lot that services Whole Foods.  If you get your ticket stamped it saves you a few bucks.

4)While getting my ticket stamped in Whole Foods (due to all the snow we couldn’t park on the street at a meter) I also got Cameron some lunch.  They have a great salad bar, hot food bar, and soups.  Cameron ate some squash soup, fresh mozzarella balls, peas, white beans, and pesto chicken salad.  Yum!  Upstairs they have a place you can sit and eat, which has 2 high chairs.  Unfortunately I didn’t have my phone with me – so no pics – but believe me when I say, there are lots of choices for mom and baby, and plenty of seating too!

While we were in Washington, DC recently Cameron and I (and Grandma) went back to the Wilson Aquatic Center for some winter time swimming. This time the water was much warmer and it was almost empty!  Here’s a few more tips that I picked up on my recent visit, as well as a few pictures of the family locker room (hey, it’s no spa, but it’s clean with plenty of space).

Let's go swimming already!

1) All the times I’ve gone the water for the shower in the family locker rooms was cold. You are required to shower before going into the pool, so Cameron and I braved the cold for a few seconds out of necessity.  This time my mom was with me in the family locker room and she said that the showers in the women’s locker rooms was much warmer. So if you go to the family locker room and the shower is freezing, duck into the other locker room with your baby. It’s much more comfortable!

If this shower is cold, try the other locker rooms.

2)The men’s and women’s locker rooms also have swim suit dryers.  The family locker room doesn’t have one.  But, there are diaper changing tables in the family room, which is really helpful.

I've got my swim diaper on and I am ready to go!

3)The lockers in the locker rooms don’t have locks on them. If you are really worried about this you can bring your own lock to use.

Plenty of lockers, but bring your own lock.

4)If you a not a resident of Washington DC you have to pay a small fee to get in. They don’t take Cash – so bring some plastic! Also, bring your ID. They will check it!

5)I’ve never had a problem parking on the street, even though the Wilson Aquatic Center is right by the Tenlytown metro station.  Just be sure you bring lots of quarters for the parking meters!  There is a clock prominently displayed on the wall in the pool area, so it’s easy to tell how long you’ve been there so you don’t run out of meter time.

Need more info on the Wilson Aquatic Center?  Check out their official website.  Here you can find info about hours or operation, admission requirements, amenities, and costs.

Have fun swimming!  You can bet Cameron and I will be back next time we are in DC!

As I have mentioned, Cameron and I were in DC this week visiting the grandparents, going swimming, and having a great time!  I had decided that instead of driving we would try taking Amtrak from Penn Station.

I did some research both on Parents Around the Hill and via the Fort Greene Babies yahoo group before the trip.  The neighborhood moms left me fairly assured that it wouldn’t be too bad when I got to the station.  I was still nervous!  I took the Q from Dekalb Ave to 34th Street Herald Square for the sake of elevators, and then made my way towards Penn Station on foot above ground.

The entrance to Penn Station that has the down escalator is at 31st St and 8th Ave.  I thought the diagram of the building posted on the wall said there was an elevator here, but I didn’t see it, so I went down they short escalator with Cam.  (Yes, I know, you’re not supposed to do this).

Once we got down to the main area I started looking around for a red cap, who I had been told would be able to help me out.  I didn’t see anyone, so I walked over to the Amtrak Customer Service desk (not the ticket counters) and a friendly man told me what track my train would be leaving from and that there was an elevator over by the police desk.  Indeed there was.

I got in – the choices were a little confusing.  I went down to “TL” – Track Level, I figured.  When when the doors opened I found that I was stuck in between the tracks, and not at the right number.  Apparently I was supposed to go to “LL” where you can move to any of the tracks and then take a different elevator down.  I went back up to “LL,” found my track, then took another elevator down to “TL.”

Cameron relaxes in his PJ's

Since I had gotten to the train early there were plenty of places to sit.  I found Cameron and I a section of 4 seats (2 and 2 facing each other).  It was perfect – there was lots of room for him, and for all our stuff.  Overall, getting to the train was pretty easy!  Stay tuned for more updates on the trip to DC, and the train trip back to New York.

Cameron and I had such a great time in DC over Christmas that we are going back down today.  We’re taking the train together – so I will be sure to report on how that goes once we return!

I’ll try to post while I’m gone, but in case I don’t – have a great week everyone!

Check out some great posts you might have missed to keep yourself busy:

Free Infant CPR at the Brooklyn Hospital

Reading for Babies at the Clinton Hill Library – a great winter activity

My Pediatrician’s remedy for pesky Diaper Rash

My sleep training bible – Healthy Sleep Habits Happy Baby

Dealing with a leaky diaper?  Maybe it’s time to go up a size

And check out my posts about What Cameron is Eating

For a few months now Cameron has been really into the various locks on our front door, and likes for me to hold him up to them while he fiddles.  Needless to say this gets tiring for me after a few minutes.  Over Christmas while we were in DC at my parent’s house I saw they had borrowed a Melissa and Doug Latches Board from a neighbor.  Cameron (and I) were so happy with this toy I stole it from my parent’s house and brought it home!  (Sorry Mom!)  I had no idea such a toy existed!  Unlike many of Cameron’s toys, this one seems to have appeal day after day.  He is getting good at some of the easier latches and locks, but the harder ones still vex him.  So, I hope this one will be popular for awhile.  On Amazon I found two versions of the Melissa and Doug Latches board – we have the second one pictured, but I think they both have the same idea.

I think this is the newer version of the Latches Board

The one we have looks like this

I grew up in the Chevy Chase / Friendship Heights / Tenlytown area of Washington DC, and my parents still live there.  We just went down for the Christmas holiday and my mom insisted we check out the new Wilson Aquatic Center over by the Tenlytown stop on the DC metro with Cameron.  During the summer Cameron really loved swimming at our little local pool on Clermont, so I thought it was worth a try… I had even saved a few swim diapers in anticipation of our trip.

The Wilson Aquatic Center is brand new and is very family friendly.  They have family locker rooms with plenty of room for a few kids and parents to change.  Each locker room has its own shower, toilet, seat, sink, and diaper changing area.  There is an amazing “beach pool” that has a entrance like the beach (goes from 0 depth to a few feet) with some cool water jets and buckets that fill and drain.  This is a great area for babies.  There are basketball hoops, kickboards, and other floating things the kids can play with.  The life guards are very attentive.  There is also an area for the parents to swim lap in the beach pool, as well as a separate “therapy pool” (big hot tub) and gigantic lap pool with diving boards (this was a little advanced for us!)

The beach pool with water jets and other fun stuff

Cameron checks out the main pool from above

For all the moms out there in the Washington DC area, or who will be visiting, you must check out the Wilson Aquatic Center!  It is FREE to DC residents, and 4$ per adult for non residents.  Be sure to bring your ID with you.

It was so much fun!  You can be sure we will be back next time we visit DC.  By the way, if you are wondering where you can get swim diapers in the middle of winter, check out Diapers.com or Amazon – they both have them in stock.

We were in Washington DC over labor day weekend visiting Cameron’s grand parents.  Grandma is an avid gardener and gave me some butternut squash to bring back to Brooklyn.  At first I was going to puree it, but then I thought I should go the finger food route.

I roasted chunks of the squash at 425 for about 30 minutes with a little olive oil until it was golden brown and nice and soft.  I turned it once while it was in the oven.  I put it in a tupperware in the fridge and now at meal time I bring out a few chunks for Cameron to eat.  He loves it!  Roasting the squash really helped to bring out its natural sweetness.  Yum!