Artsy, Parksy, Family Weekend

We had a fantastic weekend. The weather was beautiful, you kids were awesome, we were together as family on a weekend when it was extra important to have a fun, memorable time with family. And the results were beautiful. Instantly cherished. I'm nostalgic for this last weekend already, and it's only Wednesday.

On Saturday Mimi and Pops took us to an Opera! It was your first, Julia, and your second, Aidan. Mimi and  Pops took you the previous weekend to see "Jack and the Beanstalk." You loved it and told us of "beanstalks" for the rest of the week. We went to see a movie about Jack Frost and whenever they said "Jack" you said "Anna Beanstalk!" After it. You were extra "fee-fi-fo-fummy" that week, though you always like to pretend to be a giant.

So, you were psyched when we told you we got to go again. This production was more a sample platter of different songs from different operas: Barber of Seville, Carmen, Marriage of Figaro. And you liked it! You clapped at the end, were excited to see the orchestra instruments before hand (and told us during the show that a "trombone says Wah wahhhh."  You liked seeing the "violet" and the "bass" and were pretty engaged in the music. Occasionally you started talking, and I'd remind you to whisper. You, recalling your favorite book of opposites, said "whisper....AND SHOUT!" That cracked me up, but was pretty loud. You even investigated the sleeping guy next to us...by getting in his face and seeing why he was sleeping.

Julia, you did very well! You kinda just wanted to see some of the action and and even tried to sing along.

It was a lot of fun, and very cool to expose you kids to awesome operatic music so early on. And even better to see the positive results. Thanks Mimi and Pops for taking us!

As a return favor, we then took Mimi and Pops to the Deck Park which you love so much. Julia slept while you, Aidan, played in every fountain the park had to offer. 

You even figured out how to become a fountain yourself!

The next day, we took a family trip to the arboretum, much to your delight. And with no place to go and no time table to meet, we just let you lead the way...and you had a blast! Running, checking out the little houses, flirting with little girls, trying to wrestle with some older boys and basically being a very good boy.\

Jules, you enjoyed the Arboretum too, facing the world and even getting to get down and roll around in the grass too!

I think it made you pretty happy.

Then the two of you met up, and we headed out back into the real world as a family.

A Matter of Taste

At 21 weeks, you are officially the size of a banana: Over 10 ounces and 12.5 inches long, on average.

Well, techincally YOU are a banana!

One of the coolest things about being a banana (aka being 21 weeks "old") is that you are now TASTING. That's right, bud, your taste buds are now fully functional- and you are tasting whatever your Momma is eating!

Baby-rearing sources suggest eating a variety of foods while pregnant, since studies show that when you come out, you'll be most interested in food you've already experienced.

And, boy, did we hook you up yesterday. But the sensory overload wasn't just a tasting-adventure; you got fine dining AND fine arts.

As a birthday celebration, Mimi and Pops took us to see a matinee showing of the opera "Otello" (a hilarious comedy) at the brand new Winspear Opera house in Dallas. But before we went, your Mom packed a lunch for the road. This lunch consisted of a PB&J, an apple and pumpkin seeds. And more pumpkin seeds. And more pumpkin seeds. In fact, your Mom didn't stop eating until we got to the Opera house, which was a gorgeous building which, unfortunately, you couldn't see. But, you did get to hear some really loud classical music and operatic singing! And you reacted like crazy-- kicking and rolling and punching.

By the end of act I (aka 45 minutes later), your Mom was starving again. So we went to the concession bar and being faced with a designer "micro sandwich" for 6 bucks (a micro sandwich is even smaller than it sounds) and candy, your mother chose candy.

So, a half a box of chocolate-covered almonds later, we were back in the opera house.

Now, maybe you were just a little bit bored (like your Mother who was more fascinated by the new building and hall than that particular opera) or maybe you really liked loud, tragic song. But, by the end of it, you were most likely just kicking because your mom was playing with you.

Finding the "Moor" a bore, your Mom took to pushing gently on her belly to wake you up-- and you responded by kicking and turning and stretching. At least you were both entertained!

After the last curtain call, we headed to dinner at The Grape, where you had a very nice gourmet meal. For appetizer, you tried candied brie (which we made sure was pasteurized, so you'd be safe) with crackers and bread with butter. For dinner you had grilled beef tournedos, maitre d'butter, garlic-herb frites, bitter greens salad and a red-wine demi glace (that's gourmet talk for steak, with garlic fries and a salad). And for dessert, you had the apple pie with Heath bar ice cream.

So, sensory overload for you in the taste department- what a way to start using your taste buds!

But, of course, later that evening, your Mother was starving again and- low and behold- needed to eat...you guessed it...a banana. But I wouldn't be to worried about those cannibalism worries we had earlier. It's been weeks since she's craved the fruit that matches your weekly size.

In the end, though, no matter what you experience in utero, whether you like bananas or tournedos or the Bard or Turendot, it's all a matter of taste. And now that you have taste buds, you know what I'm talking about!