Mommy FTW

Most of you know that I moved from Brooklyn to Washington D.C. with my Husband and Cameron last fall.  Well, we finally were able to find a house to buy, and this past weekend we actually moved in.  It’s been pretty hectic, and Cameron seems to be having  a hard time adjusting when it comes to his sleep routine.  I think he thinks it’s just too exciting to nap!  So, I have to apologize for the lack of postings – things have been so busy lately.  I hope to get back on track soon.

But, while I am here…. a small bit of local news – The Tenley-Friendship Library (4450 Wisconsin Ave. N.W D.C.) just opened today after being under construction for what seemed like forever!  The first toddler story time is tomorrow, Tuesday January 25th at 10:30 am.  Cameron and I are going to check out the scene and I promise a write up with pictures. Check out this article on TBD.com for more stats about the library and some sneak peek pics.  See you there tomorrow?

I just found this great website (well really, they found me and posted my Wilson Aquatic Center Super Post) – it’s called Go Out and Play – What to Do in Arlington and Beyond.  Now I have to admit it’s very rare that I make it to Virginia, but Go Out and Play covers things all over the DC area, including postings on what to do on the weekends, and fun activities during the week.  So even if you’re not in Arlington, check it out for great ideas of things to do with your toddler.  The mom who writes it has a 2 year old, which makes her ideas perfect for me and my little one.

Also of note, on the right hand side of Go Out and Play is a list of Local Blogs most of which seem to be kid oriented.  I’m planning to bookmark these and check them out – one of my new years resolutions was to get Cameron out and enjoying DC more – and I think these are great resources to help!

Sunday morning my husband, Cameron, and I headed over to the National Zoo (part of the Smithsonian in Washington DC – and FREE) in search of something to do. Cameron and I go to the Zoo lots – and I knew there were indoor exhibits we could check out, and mostly avoid the freezing cold weather.

We parked in Parking Lot D (at the bottom of the hill,) and headed to check out Amazonia, which is about a 5 minute walk from the lot. The exhibit is made of two levels – the bottom level which you enter on has aquariums with HUGE (as big as me – no joke) fish and turtles, as well as sting rays. It’s really amazing to look at – Cameron was enthralled. By the way, at 11am they do the feedings, which are pretty fun to watch. Workers at the Zoo hang out by the aquariums to show and tell the kids examples of what the fish are eating and answer questions.

At the end of the hallway on the aquarium level is a set of stairs and elevator which take you up to the forest floor level. Here you see all the trees of the rain forest, and you can look down into the pools which make up the aquariums which you just saw below. None of the kids that were in the exhibit found this to be nearly as cool as the aquarium level, but it’s still neat to check out. Cameron loved the big trees, the flowers, and the birds that were there. You can also see monkeys if you look closely. Watch out, it occasionally rains a little!

As you exit the other side of the forest level you can take the elevator back down and there is a section that has some frogs and other creatures in aquariums. There is also a bathroom and water fountain. And then, you’ve made a loop and are back to the beginning.

Overall, it was an amazing exhibit for kids and adults alike, it kept Cameron perfectly occupied for nearly 2 hours, and it was nice and toasty warm. So, if you are looking for a FREE indoor winter activity in Washington DC, check out the Amazonia exhibit at the National Zoo!

By the way, if you live in Washington DC I highly recommend becoming a FONZ (Friends of the National Zoo) member.  Being a member has lots of benefits which you can read about on the Zoo website – but the one that was most important to me is that it allows you to park for free at the Zoo.  This means you can easily come and go and stay for as long as you want.  The FONZ membership pays for itself after just a few visits.

Hello dear readers – those of you who keep up with the blog might have noticed that I’ve been posting more about Washington DC activities lately.  Well, that’s because Cameron, my husband and I have moved down to DC – my home town!

For my Brooklyn readers, never fear, I still plan to keep up with Brooklyn news and post information for you guys.  Also, I will keep posting general baby and toddler info (like “What’s Cameron Eating?” and updates on favorite toys, books, and other products and so on).  I also hope to help readers out there who have new babies or who have just moved somewhere to find out how to meet other moms and get your kids involved in the communities.  Starting (over) can be so hard… and we can do it together!  So hopefully there will still be something for everyone.  This leads me to my second big annoucement…..

I’m expecting a second child!  I’m due in early April 2011 – so I will be blogging about my pregnancy, juggling two children, and my experiences with a newborn (since I started the blog when Cameron was a few months old, I missed out on these topics the first time around).  I hope that all my readers find this useful – especially those of you who are expanding your little families as well!

Recently we were back in Washington D.C. visiting Cameron’s Grandparents and of course, the Wilson Aquatic Center!  FYI – During the renovation of Wilson High School the entrance to the Aquatic Center is closed, so you have to enter from the Nebraska Avenue side (near the athletic field).

Cameron is ready to get his swim on!

While there I learned that the Wilson Aquatic Center will be closed from August 23 – September 14 for maintenance and a deep cleaning.  According to the Department of Parks and Recreation website, here’s whats on the to-do list:

• Remove and drain all pool water according to local or federal regulations.
• Acid wash pool shell.
• Clean all pool drains.
• Service and perform maintenance on movable bulkheads.
• Purchase and install new lighting throughout the facility.
• Clean and seal all existing tile floors through-out the building.
• Check hydrostatic relief valves.
• Replace and recharge pool media for pool tanks.
• Install and clean pool lights and pool shell lights as needed.
• Pressure wash pool deck.
• Deep cleaning of offices, locker rooms and lobby area.

Sounds good to me! Although it’s an inconvenience to have the pool closed, it’s good that they are taking care of it so it is there for years to come for us all to enjoy.

Posted from New York, New York, United States.

I was just back in Washington D.C. for a few days and of course Cameron and I went back to the Wilson Aquatic Center for some swimming.  Each time I go I see more and more parents with little kids, which is great!  The Center is really catering to families.  They have added stroller parking under the stairs that lead down to the locker room area (see pic – sorry it’s so blurry!)

A terribly blurry iPhone pic of the stroller parking area

There are also lots of “Learn to Swim” classes being offered, many of which are geared to little ones (5 months plus).  You can check the D.C. Department of Parks and Recreation website for a schedule of all the classes available at the Aquatic Center (scroll down the page to the “Information” section.)  These classes are very affordable – $10 for Washington D.C. residents, and $50 for non residents.  When I was there last week there was a parent child class going on which included singing, having the kids jump in the water, and learning to go underwater without being scared.  Lots of the kids seemed like they were under 2.  So, if you are local to the Washington area, check out the classes!

This week I’m heading back to DC with Cameron (for more pool time at the Wilson Aquatic Center!) so I decided to do a little research on the local Library (the Chevy Chase branch located at 5625 Connecticut Avenue) to see what sorts of baby friendly reading programs they have in case we’ve got some spare time.  Here’s what I found listed on the Friends of the Chevy Chase Library web site.  Looks like they’ve got some good offerings!

Chevy Chase Library (via flickr)

Baby Time!
Thursdays at 9:30 am
Books, Lullabies, and Bonding
A program intended for babies and their caregivers

Story Time!
Thursdays at 10 am
Stories, Songs, and So Much More
A program intended for children ages 2-5 and their caregivers

Family Time!
Wednesdays at 7 pm
Stories, Arts & Crafts, and FUN
A program intended for children and their family members

I don’t think we will make Baby Time on this visit, but we will try to in the future!  I think this just goes to show that you should check with your local library to see what kinds of things they have to offer you and your little one.

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!