We did something really dumb recently. We forgot to keep up with M’s carseat specifications and we let him go over the 40 lb. limit for his carseat. I’m really kicking myself. I’m usually absolutely obsessed with carseat safety – proper installation, proper fit, and keeping them rear-facing until the weight limit of the seat (we didn’t turn M around to face forward until he was close to 2, and J, at 18 months, is still rear-facing (see this link for why)). So we’ve plunked …

It had been awhile since we’d taken any sort of field trip or had some Fun With Dad time, so I had my heart set on taking M to the Metropolitan Museum of Art last Thursday. It’s not as visceral as the Museum of Natural History for a child, but I felt that a few things would make it a worthwhile experience:

The Temple of Dendur, sarcophagi and other Egyptian art since M had shown some strong interest in Pyramids not too long ago
The various furnished American period rooms with …

We are considering getting rid of the TV.  Well, not the DVD player or the actual TV set.  Just the live television coming from our satellite dishes.  Arp has suggested getting rid of it several times in the past, but I’ve always resisted.  It is such a vice for me, especially since I spend so much time breastfeeding every day.  I briefly considered ditching the TV when I was pregnant with J, but I knew from our experiences with M that a nursing infant would require me to be stuck …

We’ve been parents for almost 4 years, or maybe longer since we started thinking and making decisions based on what’s best for our children after getting pregnant. It’s been a hectic, joyous, frazzled, rewarding ride so far. Our outlook on almost everything has changed – parenting can do that. It’s like jumping into ice-cold water. You can try to prepare yourself by sticking a toe in (changing a diaper), splashing ice water on your face (babysitting a hyper kid solo for a few hours) or perhaps immersing …