We have been busy since the last time I wrote something for this poor neglected blog. I've been trying to come up with a succinct way to tie together all of the new experiences we have had with Celeste. But I think instead that this will read like a weaving and bobbing stream of my consciousness.We visited Pittsburgh and then we traveled to Calgary and the Canadian Rockies for Christmas and New Years. Before we left on all of these trips, I felt that a trip to the grocery store here in Easton with Celeste required a lot of planning and patience. Now we've been in taxi cabs, airplanes, shuttle buses, a hospital, international airport security checkpoints, hotel rooms, a swimming pool and a hot tub, and an elementary school. Our horizons have been broadened.
In Pittsburgh we stayed with Matt and Steph in their cozy house in the Greenfield neighborhood. We had plans to see many friends that dissolved when the city was hit with snowstorms that made driving slippery and scary. I took Celeste to Falk and was overwhelmed by the friendly onslaught of kids and teachers who were excited to smile at her and look at her. We saw Jodi and Stacey and their sweet, fun-loving baby boy Simon. We also went to Erika and Dan's annual Latke Party, and were the first to leave in time for Celeste's 6 p.m. bedtime. Life has changed.
In Calgary we stayed with Peter's sister Anne and her husband Reid. Their house was warm and filled with people. Their 3 children were excited to have visitors, and Jay and Mattie and Baby Sam stayed there too. Faith and Dion were a short drive away. It was interesting to see Celeste around so many people. We learned that she is very interested in people and interacting with them. She learned to confidently sit up during this vacation, and she seemed comfortable and happy to be held by the many adults in Anne and Reid's house.
By the end of the 2 week visit, just about everybody in the house ended up with some form of intestinal flu or a wheezing cough. Peter and I tried to protect Celeste from illness by checking into the Calgary airport hotel with all of our things. Within minutes of check-in, Peter got feverish chills By midnight Celeste and I were both projectile vomiting. It was my worst fear come true: a 5-month old with stomach flu. Peter and I loaded her into a cab and headed for the Calgary Childrens Hospital. Celeste was vomiting and smiling at all of the doctors, even playing with our doctor's stethoscope and giggling.
Still nauseous and with two of hours sleep, we boarded the plane the next morning and made the 5 hour trip back to Newark with our still-sick baby. Poor Celeste threw up on me several times on the plane. and on the shuttle bus back to the parking lot where our car was parked.
Now that Celeste is half a year old she has had some rich and challenging experiences. Peter and I were cautious about air travel and so worried when flu season began. In a strange way it's good to have this first scary adventure behind us and know that we could manage as parents. Who knows what excitement the New Year will bring.
In Pittsburgh we stayed with Matt and Steph in their cozy house in the Greenfield neighborhood. We had plans to see many friends that dissolved when the city was hit with snowstorms that made driving slippery and scary. I took Celeste to Falk and was overwhelmed by the friendly onslaught of kids and teachers who were excited to smile at her and look at her. We saw Jodi and Stacey and their sweet, fun-loving baby boy Simon. We also went to Erika and Dan's annual Latke Party, and were the first to leave in time for Celeste's 6 p.m. bedtime. Life has changed.
In Calgary we stayed with Peter's sister Anne and her husband Reid. Their house was warm and filled with people. Their 3 children were excited to have visitors, and Jay and Mattie and Baby Sam stayed there too. Faith and Dion were a short drive away. It was interesting to see Celeste around so many people. We learned that she is very interested in people and interacting with them. She learned to confidently sit up during this vacation, and she seemed comfortable and happy to be held by the many adults in Anne and Reid's house.
By the end of the 2 week visit, just about everybody in the house ended up with some form of intestinal flu or a wheezing cough. Peter and I tried to protect Celeste from illness by checking into the Calgary airport hotel with all of our things. Within minutes of check-in, Peter got feverish chills By midnight Celeste and I were both projectile vomiting. It was my worst fear come true: a 5-month old with stomach flu. Peter and I loaded her into a cab and headed for the Calgary Childrens Hospital. Celeste was vomiting and smiling at all of the doctors, even playing with our doctor's stethoscope and giggling.
Still nauseous and with two of hours sleep, we boarded the plane the next morning and made the 5 hour trip back to Newark with our still-sick baby. Poor Celeste threw up on me several times on the plane. and on the shuttle bus back to the parking lot where our car was parked.
Now that Celeste is half a year old she has had some rich and challenging experiences. Peter and I were cautious about air travel and so worried when flu season began. In a strange way it's good to have this first scary adventure behind us and know that we could manage as parents. Who knows what excitement the New Year will bring.
sheesh, and i thought simon chewing his hands raw was a big deal. yinz are troopers.
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