Cleveland: City of Brotherly Love

The Pfeiffer Brothers took a sibs trip last weekend to my hometown of Cleveland. While Cleveland in March isn't exactly everyone's idea of a good time, they wound up having a ball. It was picked as a sort of equidistant point between Detroit, DC, and Louisville.

This is where they stayed. It's a brand new hotel in the Old Arcade downtown, and judging from Todd's NONSTOP rapturous recounting of it, a wonderful place to stay. Todd said it was very quirky, old-world-style, totally not cookie-cutter, and had great views and excellent service. It was also steps away from many downtown attractions such as...

The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. That's Kurt Pfeiffer posing alongside it, and a frozen Lake Erie.

Anyone recognize this house?

Okay, well, anyone recognize this lamp?? Yes, it's the house and lamp from A Christmas Story. This past year the house from the movie (it was filmed in Cleveland) was made into a museum, and the Pfeiffer Boys made it one of their stops.

Todd and Brett in front of that famous lamp.

[Mr. Parker reads a side of the box with the prize that he won]

Mr. Parker: Fra-gee-lay. That must be Italian.

Mrs. Parker: Uh, I think that says FRAGILE, dear.

Mr. Parker: Oh, yeah.

Whatchu' talking about Willis?

Sampling the local fare at The Westside Market...

...and at Dino's Place Ristorante. (my folks' place)

How Lilliputian do my parents look?

Freak Mini-Blizzard

So there we were last Sunday waiting for Estela and Tim to arrive, when out of nowhere (although I suspect Saskatoon) a bunch of snow started falling really fast. In three hours the streets went from zero snow on the ground to this.

It was so weird and really really beautiful.

The boys biding their time until they can

get out in it.

Here's Ben helping Henry and a friend take the plunge.

It hardly snows much in DC, so who knew we lived a block from a really good sledding hill?!

Ben, Tim, Nico, Henry and Todd (taking the picture) made a snow pirate! Yaarg, me frosty mateys!

And they weren't the only ones sculpting with snow. Here's our neighbors Royce and Gabriella with their creations.

FIELD TRIP

Those durn Fields invaded our home last week. And we thought we'd sprayed for them! Yeesh.

Here's the two little cousins meeting for the very first time. Oh the mischief these two will make one day. The big brother antics they will commiserate about...
Uncle Tim bonds with Loretta.

And bonds with the others.

Henry and Nico "testing out" the co-sleeper which has a maximum weight limit of 30 pounds, I believe.

You've heard the phrase, "I about died from happiness," right? Well, I never really knew what that meant until I saw Henry wake up from his nap and realize his cousin Nico was in the house. Ohmigosh. He ran and screamed and hugged him, and then they both began screaming and chasing each other around the house for 10 minutes or so until they collapsed, nearly dead from happiness.

Henry Milestones

As he likes to remind us 317 times a day, Henry isn't a baby,

he's a "big boy!" Here are some of the milestones that make that true.

Drinking from a big boy cup. A present from Papa's

Orlando conference.

Using (occasionally) the big boy potty.

(with the requisite fireman's helmet of course)

Group Therapy

Many of you have heard me wax beatific about the PlayGroup my kids and I are in. I joined it in the most random, haphazard way possible, yet it has wound up being my anchor and saving grace. We've gone through a lot of life experiences together and we're still looking forward to Thursday mornings. Above are the PlayGroup kids minus Sadie who was sick that day.

Here is PlayGroup 2.0 They're the babies who've been born since we've been meeting. And one more is on the way!

Here are the alleged "grown-ups" in a posed pic.

And in our natural state.

Missing is Abby (who was caring for a sick Sadie).

Side by Side Sibs


Two DiPfeiffer babies. Two years apart. Here they are sharing Nonna's Valentines outfit. Before anyone calls Family Services...I can report that Henry did start gaining weight shortly thereafter and joining the ranks of the babychub.

See?

Adventures With Papa

Since I haven't been quite so mobile the past few weeks,

Todd has taken Henry out on many fun adventures.

Here's Henry playing at Glen Echo Park playground after he

and Todd caught a marionette show.

Enjoying the wintry weather.

This past Sunday, Todd took both chitlins to the National Air and Space Museum.

Loretta enjoyed gazing at the rockets while Henry played at piloting his own plane.

Todd serving up us some Curious George to Henry and his best buds Miles and Porter.

Not pictured is the afternoon Todd took Henry to the Rock Creek Nature Center to pet snakes and turtles. All I can say is...thank heaven for papas.

Family Resemblance?

Recipe: Take one loving older brother, add one cute little sister to the mix. Smush together until someone yelps.

The DiPfeiffers

The DiFieldos

Click on the link to the left called Darlin' Cora to see

more adorable pictures of them.

Hathead

In this thrilling episode...Henry battles cabin fever by

trying on different hats.

Prediction: this post will result in my mother

immediately sending us a big-screen tv.

Story Time

A little light reading to start off the day...

The Grand Old Lady


Little Miss L turned a month old this weekend! Can you believe it?! Here are some things we've learned about her in the past 4 weeks.

1. Although she's a tiny little pixie, she can belch like a longshoreman.

2. She hates sleeping on her back. She prefers on her side, sitting up in a seat, or (don't call the authorities) snoozing on her stomach.

3. She's a good sport. She has been semi-squished, full-on grabbed and smooched, and enthusiastically bear-hugged by her well-meaning but husky older brother yet seems to take it all in stride. In fact, she seems bemused.

4. She doesn't cry much. Instead she grunts. I'm serious. It's like living with a little Billy Bob Thornton. "Mmmm hhmmm. I like me them french fried pertaters after I nurse. Mmm hmm." In the middle of the night when she wakes up to nurse, she does an infant's version of clearing her throat to get my attention. "Ahem. Mother? Ahem. I believe we have an appointment."

5. She has earned the nickname "Toots McGee." (it sounded better than Betty McFlatulence)

6. Taking a bath with Mama or Papa = total Zen relaxation

Taking a bath on her own in her little infant tub = terrified screaming galore

"Whoa....coooool."

Keeping a close eye on that colorful yet suspicious octopus.

Nursing on Papa's nose.

Nekked Boy

Y'know it wouldn't really be a proper parents blog without the obligatory kid-in-tub pictures, so without further ado...

"Check me out world! I's naked!"

Thank you to Grandma Eileen Breslin for the bath crayons. They were a BIG HIT.

Soaking wet yet still stone-cold suave.

"Yes I am wearing the tub hairtrap as a hat....and I make it look GOOD."

Belting out the hits in the tub. (I believe it was REO Speedwagon)

Pruney feet!

Loretta Meets Gramma!

Gramma Madeline came to visit this weekend to meet and get to know the littlest Pfeiffer. Much fun and bonding was had.

Super-Duper-Bowl

My garsh, it's been a while since I posted! Time sure flies when you're cleaning poop.

We spent Super Bowl Sunday enjoying the company of our good friends Steve and Sue Chozick who throw the Best Damn Sports Party Period. Lavish spread, fun guests (minus Rob), BIG TV, and a kid-friendly basement. Suh-weet.

This was the first year of my life that I was more into the game than the commercials. The ads were ehhh....okay, but nothing very creatively risky. But the game! When the one dude with the tight pants ran by that other dude in the tight pants. Whew! TV magic!

Henry suffering from a condition known as "inflamed mega-finger."

Loretta (in Todd's arms) enjoying her first party. Henry mesmerized by the giant magic box.

Henry and Charlotte and Griffin Chozick tearing it up.

Our Lil' Girl Growin Up!

So we've been to the pediatrician a couple of times with Loretta, and she's gained 8 ounces and grown TWO WHOLE INCHES!! How many inches have YOU gained recently? (holiday weight doesn't count)

Uncle Richie's visit excites Loretta to no end.
Baby power!
Entranced by Gabriella's beauty as Ben and Henry look on.

I've been in bed with a nasty bout of Mastitis for the past two days. Feeling like Dolly Parton with super-painful glass ta-tas. Thank god for painkillers and thank god for my sister Estela who calmly diagnosed me as Todd and I screamed into the phone. We're very lucky to be surrounded by wonderful neighbors and friends who pitched in to help with Mr. Henry H. Higgins-Pickleworth-Jones.

I seem to be on the mend.