Mommy FTW

For those of you out there looking for Holiday gift ideas – Cameron just had his 2nd Birthday last week and there were a few presents that were the clear winners in his mind.  I thought I would post them for your info (of course every child is different but….)

The Kid Galaxy My First RC Go Go Firetruck was clearly the most exciting toy Cameron got.  It’s a super simple RC vehicle (the only controls are forward and turn – in one direction).  Cameron LOVES firetrucks so this is right up his alley.  FYI, this toy also comes in Dump Truck, School Bus, Police Car, Bubble Gum Racer (which is of course, pink,) Train, Wheelie Cycle Speedster (a motorcycle,) and several more.  Basically, no matter what your child is obsessed with, they make an RC for it.

Cameron has always had a blankee that his Auntie Kate gave him at birth which he absolutely must sleep with.  But, we thought it was time to get him a full sized “big boy” blanket to sleep under in his crib.  Well, he’s not exacltly sleeping under it (yet) but he LOVES the cars, trucks, and snuggle-ability of this blanket.

This MEGA Bloks Fill and Dump Wagon was bought by Cameron’s other Aunt Jen – who just had a baby (Congrats!)  Not only does this wagon have awesome blocks which Cam loves to stack, it is also portable and he can fill it with all kinds of junk.  By the way, it comes in pink too.  I think this toy is a great one for encouraging your little one to clean up – a key skill!

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.

I admit that quite often in my first time mommy experiences someone tells me something which, upon hearing it I think,” Oh right – that makes perfect sense.  Duh!”  I had one of these moments at Cameron’s 9 month check up.  I was talking to his pediatrician about food.  She asked me if Cameron was feeding himself (finger foods) and I said “no,” and that he “wasn’t very good at it.”  She suggested that every meal time I put the tray on his high chair and let him practice picking up some finger foods.  Ah – Practice!  This had never occurred to me (duh!)  I guess I sort of figured it would just come to him…. Anyways, after a week or so of practice with his Organic Puffs Cameron has really improved!

Banana Puffs

I first heard about these puffs from another mom.  They dissolve in baby’s mouth easily and they come in 3 “flavors” (I think they all taste the same) – banana, apple, and veggie.  You can get them from Fresh Direct, at Elly’s on Dekalb, and at the Associated on Myrtle.  If you aren’t in Fort Greene / Clinton hill check your local grocery in the baby section or get them from Amazon (the price is better than local, and they come with free shipping – you can even get 15% off if you subscribe and save making them only about $2.60 each).  They are made by Happy Baby, and boy, do they make my baby happy!