rain « Stay Home PaPa

Despite all the trials and tribulations Monday had to offer, Maddie had a fantastic and magical day playing, wrestling and entertaining her cousins from Alaska. Never mind the fact that the weather gods have a mean streak about a mile long. Maddie’s cousins Porter and Catie just endured a a terrible winter season in Alaska only to come to New Jersey for some record cold weather and rain. Yet somehow, we were blissfully ignorant of this fact when we walked to breakfast this morning.

The four of us polished off our meals with great enthusiasm and were ready to catch a ferry into the city. As soon as we waltzed out of the diner, a heavy and cold rain set in. It pelted the area with a vengeance throughout the morning and our best-laid plans were torn asunder. We trudged home in the rain knowing that today’s travel plans were shot.

Maddie reasoned that her only recourse for the morning was to take a long nap and try to work things out while she was asleep. By the time her eyes popped open, it was just about time for lunch. Maddie reasoned that a bit of good company and delicious food was just the ticket to turn the day around.

Her dad packed her up in the stroller and set off in the rain while the grandparents drove the cousins to our lunch spot. Maddie feasted on fries and fruit, and made several loud crackling announcements to the lunchtime crowd. During lunch, the sun managed to peak out and Maddie thought she still might be able to treat her cousins to some pool time. However, as soon as we got to the pool about an hour later, the sun shriveled up into the clouds like a scared turtle. Maddie was more than happy to dip her feet in the water and kick around a bit, but without the sun, it was just too cold.

The baby opted for one more nap and try to pick up where she left off earlier. By the time she woke up, it was time to drive the cousins back to their grandparent’s house. About 30 miles into the trip, Maddie was treated to her very first flat tire experience. This led to an unscheduled stop at the Goodyear Tire Store off the highway. Between the rain, car trouble and unseasonably cold weather, Maddie is worried that it may be some time before her cousins dare to make their next trip back East.

This entry was posted in Baby, Children, Cousins, Family, Parenting, Weather and tagged Alaska, baby, cousins, family, Lunch, Madster, New York City, Parenting, rain, Weather.

Baby Treats Father to the Perfect Birthday

Posted on May 23, 2012 Updated on May 23, 2012

I think my dad needs alot more than one candle!

As my amazing baby girl settled her head into the crook of my arm with her hand on my chest to go to sleep tonight, I realized that this was the best birthday I have ever had. Maddie wasn’t in the best of moods today and was even a bit under the weather. Despite all of that, she was a true pleasure all day long and there was no denying what a blessing it was to spend it with her.

Maddie is on the cusp of being 10-months old and is growing up far too fast for my liking. We both got up this morning during a driving rainstorm. With weather like that, we had no choice but to grab a quick bottle and get our butts outside before the rain stopped.

We made our rounds about the city and watched the commuters scamper for cover hopelessly trying to evade the pelting rain. Maddie and I took all of this in stride as we made our first stop at Dunkin Donuts. Mads ordered her usual, a toasted whole grain bagel and it was back out into the monsoon.

We made a few more stops and stopped to watch some pedestrians get pummeled by a wall of water launched by a speeding bus. That gag just never gets old, but it was time for the sweet girl to catch a nap. Maddie slept so long that we were late leaving for our birthday lunch with Maddie’s grandparents and great aunt.

IMG-20120522-00020 — I have it all under control!

Maddie arrived fashionably late and started wooing every person in the restaurant she could lock eyes with. Typical Maddie, the star of the show, using her smile to leave everyone locked into a trance.

We had an amazing meal and Maddie made sure to help her dad unwrap his present – she’s always good like that. Then she slept the whole way home so we could spend the remainder of the afternoon playing and exploring. It turned out to be the best birthday ever and it was all thanks to exploits of the Mad Madster!

This entry was posted in Baby, Children, Family, Outdoor Time, Parenting, Playing, Weather and tagged baby, birthday, Children, family, grandparents, Parenting, rain, Weather.

Rain Rain Come My Way

Posted on May 10, 2012

photo-7 — I have the umbrella, concentrate on steering!

After a rigorous day of rolling all over the house – Maddie was eager for some real outdoor time. I made every effort to explain to her that the weather was abysmal, but she was adamant.

So once it was time for Maddie’s mom to leave for work, the baby and I joined her for a rainy trip into town. As soon as the door opened before us, a great smile spread across Maddie’s face. She seemingly rediscovered her great love for the outdoors and was more than happy to embrace the driving rain.

It didn’t take long for Maddie’s mother to notice that the baby was trying to wrest control of the umbrella from me. Maddie obviously believed that she could handle the umbrella with a far greater proficiency than her father. However, a golf umbrella still might be a little much for the princess to manage.

Once we dropped off mom, Maddie insisted that we press on. The harder it rained, the more Maddie’s mood improved. Strangely, this set the tone for the rest of the day. As where some people struggle with their moods during rainy days, Maddie’s stock soars.

The baby drove me about another half of a mile before we finally turned around and headed home. Maddie and I sealed our unspoken pact never to miss a day outside together just because of a little rain.

This entry was posted in Children, Family, Outdoor Time, Parenting, Weather and tagged baby, Children, family, outdoor adventure, Outdoor Time, Parenting, rain, Umbrella, Weather.