Babymoon

Top Left: Me sailing The Woodwind, much like Christopher Walken.
Top Right: Kathy Lee Gifford. For real.
Bottom Left: Annapolis sunset.
Bottom Right: Dad posing on The Woodwind.

Dear Baby Girl,

The elusive “Baby Moon” has—from the very beginning of this pregnancy—been something I didn’t think was in the cards for your father and I. Zika ruled out us traveling to any tropical locations, home renovations consumed the more mobile part of my pregnancy, and generally the activities that I like to do when on vacation are… well, active (although I’m not quite to your Uncle Ben’s level, non-pregnant Taylor can hold her own). Anyway after nonchalantly discussing the matter, your decisive father took action and booked an overnight stay in Annapolis—nice and easy trip, on the water to escape the heat, solid eateries, and sailboats. Done and done.

Our little getaway had a couple of minor blips, but nothing we couldn’t overcome. First of all, it was so hot that weekend that even the waterfront location did little to subdue the summer weather. Referencing my favorite local weatherman, Chuck Bell, this August has been the hottest August on record in the DC area, and this summer falls in the top three hottest. The Saturday that we went to Annapolis was triple digits. When we got there on Saturday afternoon, we got lunch, moseyed around town for a while, got some ice cream, and then took a solid nap in the air conditioning before dinner. Post dinner, Dad had a nightcap at the restaurant and I had the virgin version of the “World Famous Pusser’s Painkiller,” (funny that this even has a virgin version) and we called it a night.

That night, I woke up even more times than usual sweating hot. Each time I got up, I turned the AC up more and more. It got to the point where I had the temperature set at 62 degrees, and was still uncomfortably hot (as you know, this is very uncharacteristic of me). In the morning, your father and I both woke up exhausted because apparently he had suffered the same fate. So—pregnancy was out as for the culprit of my mysterious hot flash. Anyway, we went about our business and ordered room service for breakfast. When it was delivered, and the man saw that I was pregnant, he gasped and started apologizing profusely.  Apparently, the air conditioning at the hotel had been broken the entire night. Can’t make these things up, Baby Girl, can’t make them up.

I make it sound like this ruined the weekend, but it really didn’t. We had an excellent dinner at the “Chart House” where Kathy Lee Gifford was sitting at the table right next to us. As a crazy stalker of celebrities, I was very excited about this. Normally I have little shame in bothering celebrities for photo ops during their personal time with their family, but I didn’t feel as if I quite had enough conversational knowledge about Kathy Lee to approach her. So I took the even more stalker approach and just snuck pictures. It was very exciting and dinner was excellent. Apparently Dad had a phenomenal Pinot Noir. I wouldn’t know.

The next day, Dad had organized a two hour sailing tour on “The Woodwind,” the very sailboat used in filming the legendary and timeless movie, “Wedding Crashers.” It was very cool. The crew had a photo album that basically showed Vince Vaughn reading a newspaper where I was sitting (I can tell you if Vince had been sitting at the table next to us at the Chart House I would not have been so shy). I took a turn at the wheel of the boat, as I thought it would be funny for a pregnant lady to do such a thing, but the captain seemed unimpressed. He mentioned nothing about you, but only asked if I had sailed before. I got irritated by this and told him yes; I learned to sail in Maine where it is much windier than Chesapeake Bay. He countered that he also learned in Maine at Maine Maritime. Clearly we were at a standstill. I went back to my seat. Several others on the tour took their turn at the wheel, including a little girl. Dad and I will surely take you back to Annapolis so you can have your turn at the wheel and the captain. Like me, you will also probably have prior knowledge of sailing because Grandpa Steve intends to teach you in Florida on a catamaran, as he taught me in Maine. So don’t take any shit from these Marylanders. Sailing a catamaran is more impressive than steering a schooner any day, any time.

The sail, however, was very nice and Dad and I enjoyed our time on the water. When we got back to the hotel, we had a quick bite at the bar, and got ready to leave. As Dad was paying the bill, he got a call from the front desk. Apparently a van had scraped his truck in the parking lot. This was rather disconcerting as we had valeted the truck per the hotel’s requirement. When we went up to the valet to inquire about the situation and ask how such an event had happened the valet answered, “We’re very sorry, we normally do not allow anyone in our valet parking lot, but today we made an exception for the AC repairman. He scraped your truck with his van.”

Again… Can. Not. Make. This. Up. Oh, the irony.

At this point, the Babymoon ups and downs are kind of comical. We’ve been promised a free night’s stay at the hotel, and perhaps we’ll reserve that for the fall, lest the air conditioner suffer another bout of ill fate. Perhaps you shall get to see Annapolis sooner rather than later, Baby Girl. Hope you weren’t too hot in there!

Love,

Mom

As a consolation prize for the lack of air conditioning
we picked up Georgetown cupcakes on the way home.
Dad had one, and I had three. Perfect ratio.

Meet Bob

The beautiful BOB 2016 Revolution Flex.
Complete with the Chicco KeyFit 30 Zip Infant car seat.
Bring on the baby!

Dear Baby Girl,

Behold, Bob the Jogger. Someday, in the near future, when I am sweating pushing you on mile two of a four mile run (a run I can’t cut short because it is an “out-and-back” and I am already two miles away from home), and struggling with every heavy painful step because I’m grossly out of shape, I will curse the day that I was excited about this stroller. But for now… I am SO EXCITED ABOUT THIS STROLLER!

Courtesies of Grandma Tracy, this will be your chariot for our adventures. A beastly behemoth, Bob is all-terrain, rugged, and ready to roll. Bob was one of those situations where I researched extensively, and then just settled on the top brand—wasting my own time and energy. BUT, I am not disappointed so far. After your dad put it together, I took it for a little spin around the house, and it glides with a smoothness akin to your own bottom.

I plan to take you to the monuments in this stroller, on (flat) hikes, to the beach, to the fireworks, and for every run I go on once you are big enough for it to be safe. I intend to run the Pittsburgh Marathon in May (as part of a relay team… let’s not get totally 26-mile crazy here) and I will be taking you on my runs to train for it. As my mother says, and her mother before her, you need to get outside to “get the stink out of your pants.” Who knows? Perhaps your dad will even take you for a leisurely jog, and you will succeed where I failed to get him to go for a run with me at all, ever.

We’re getting closer and closer to the day this stroller will no longer be empty!

Love,

Mom

Leavitt Women - By Gram Nette

Leavitt Ladies from Left: Judy, Hannah (beautiful bride!), Phebe, Carlie, ME, Gram Nette, and Shiela

Dear Baby Girl- I did it! I convinced your Great Grandmother to write you a letter! It didn't even require any arm-twisting; all I had to do was ask. This is truly an incredibly precious treasure for you. At 91 years old, she wrote this letter from the heart about all the strong women in your family (on the Leavitt side)... and there are many. Gram Nette is among the strongest, and she's the original role model to us all.  I miss living down the street from her, and I am so happy for this special gift to you so that you can get to know this woman I've loved all my life. Ever since I moved away from Turner, Gram has written regular letters to me, and I've saved every one. They range from casual humor on random greeting cards (Gram always has a stash), to more serious concerns on blue lined paper... always looking out for me from almost 1,000 miles away. Knowing that these letters are something that I will keep and cherish all my life, I am thrilled that you now have one for yourself.

Fortunately shortly after this letter was written, my cousin (and yours), Hannah, had a wedding celebration. Perfect photo opportunity for the Leavitt ladies. Unfortunately, there are a few missing in action... Ariella and her daughter Avery could not make the wedding, and your Great Great Grandmother Hazel is no longer around. HOWEVER, in terms of a picture, that is nothing a little photo shop can't fix. Read on, and enjoy.

Your Great Great Grandmother Hazel Leavitt

Two more Leavitt Ladies from Left: Avery and Ariella

ALL the Leavitt Ladies... SO FAR... August 20, 2016

Back in 1925 when I was born, a girl was not valued very highly. She was expected to marry young, serve her husband, have a big family, and keep her family clean, fed and clothed. Luckily my parents, Rufus and Elsie Prince, insisted that my 5 brothers and I were to be respected and treated equally. This allowed me to be an independent thinker and doer. From early childhood I wanted to be a teacher, and after graduation from Leavitt Institute, I earned a three year teaching certificate. In 1945, I went to teach in Falmouth, Maine and then, after my marriage, I taught in Turner.

Parenting 4 children while performing a multitude of jobs as a partner in the running of Leavitt Orchards made for very busy years. I loved both jobs dearly. When my marriage failed, I was prompted to go back to college, studying nights and summers to earn my BS degree and return to teaching. I taught 3rd / 4thgrades for the next 20 years and found this job very satisfying. I was a good teacher and knew I was performing a valuable service, while being allowed by my principal, to try many innovative ideas.

At 60 I retired and discovered traveling. I found that as a hiker I could afford to see many places in the world. I met wonderful people as I walked miles in Europe, the contiguous United States, New Zealand, Jamaica, Alaska, Hawaii and Iceland. My interests widened to include family, gardening, music (all genres), the arts, and reading. These continue to sustain and entertain me at age 91.

I love to think back to your mother Taylor's birth and youth. It seemed that she was not happy to be a baby because she could not wait to start on her adventures. She was a great thinker and was bombarded with ideas.Your mom's drive to learn through projects, reading and study was unstoppable. My space, sewing machine and transportation were often needed, and we made WONDERFUL MEMORIES.

My own daughters Sheila and Judy had been driven to get an education and pursue their own professions. Sheila spent over a year in Europe before deciding she wanted to go to Bowdoin College in Brunswick, Maine to study pre-med. She graduated as a member of the first group of women to be accepted to Bowdoin in that program. She met her future husband there and they both headed to Rochester Medical School to earn their medical degrees. She practiced in Rochester and Boston for 5 years before starting her family. She used her education to guide her 4 children - home schooling, facilitating group lessons with acquaintances who had specific expertise, and organizing, scripting and directing a children's musical theater troupe. Her children all were encouraged and supported in pursuing their musical talents.

Sheila continues to be very active. She is an activist and doesn't hesitate to speak loud and clear if she perceives a wrong in our society. She is a voracious reader, a talented artist, a true animal lover and devoted wife, daughter, friend!

She and Andy adopted a beautiful, loving, talented daughter from Columbia, South America. Ariella Lichtman Logan has studied and become a cosmetologist and also continued her eduction to become a dental assistant. She worked in a dentist's office for several years. Recently she decided that her most important job is to be a full time mom to two beautiful children. Ari with her husband is guiding her daughter Avery O'Dell, 7, and an adorable infant son to be happy and positive as adults. Avery is a smart first grader who loves to read and is teaching her baby brother all of her tricks!

Judith is our peacemaker. Hardly a day goes by that she doesn't remind us that, “It's not what you say, but how you say it”, that there might be a less abrasive way of making a point. She made her mark by getting her degree in education and becoming an outstanding teacher. She refused to allow her students to fail. They were not “let off the hook” until they had mastered the task. When she had three small children at home, she contributed to her family's finances by setting up a daycare for her friends. The group learned through play to respect and care for each other. As her last child entered kindergarten, Judy went back to public education working first with young special needs children and then finding herself back with middle school kids teaching English, reading and social studies. Asking students to think for themselves about the world beyond their own hometown and to look for ways to solve problems were her everyday goal. She was a true leader at the middle school in Turner where she taught, and many other teachers looked to her for ideas and inspiration. These same goals applied to her three children. Now that they are all married adults, Judy devotes many days to her 2 young grandsons. She has numerous friends and many interests that she fills her time with. How she juggles managing a house, kayaking, reading, yoga, walking, attending student events, babysitting, and gardening seems a miracle to me. 

Hannah Reed Waltz (w/ Leavitt blood) has a graduate degree in school counseling and worked first with middle school teenagers in Monmouth, Maine. She was frustrated by her perceived lack of ability to change students' lives. She was depressed by her “failure'. Feeling that there was a better option for her, she and her boyfriend went searching. They moved to North Carolina. She was excited to land a job with a research team at University of North Carolina studying the possibility for changing the lives of people with schizophrenia through early intervention. Her talents with people have been recognized and she is continuing to advance in her field. She plans to broaden her study to include a specialty in autism. She married Brandon, bought a house, adopted two cats and a lucky dog. She knows where she wants to be and is on her way to achieving some major goals.

Phebe Reed Jacobson (w/ Leavitt blood) took a few years after high school to find her career. She started at Mass College of Pharmacy, returned to University of Southern Maine and finally decided to step back from studying. She worked to support herself and trained on weekends to become a dental assistant. At her first dental office she became friends with and finally married Dr Dave. She worked with his office for a bit and finally was ready to study for her career as a nurse; she wanted to feel she was doing good and making a difference in the world. After graduation she was snatched up by Maine Medical Center. While doing her practicum work with acutely ill patients at Maine Med, her “grace under pressure” was appreciated. She is happy to be challenged. She continues to work at the dental office, to help guide Dave's 2 teenage sons, and to add her touch to major house renovations. She is busy enough to keep out of trouble although she does have a sweet mischievous streak!

The two Leavitt woman closest to your age are Avery O'Dell (see above) and Carlie Grace Leavitt. We can't overlook this spitfire. She is 12 years old and full of energy. She is a good cook, sews with her Nana, excels in sports, loves to sing and act in dramas and is a very good student. She loves kids so I bet you two will be good cousin friends. She makes her great grandmother proud.

Now there is to be another baby girl Cicala (w/ Leavitt blood)! You will be born with the desire, energy and capacity for a lifetime of work toward the improvement of human existence. I am so proud of the Leavitt girls who have come before you. They have high goals and are rewarded with great success. You too will be loved as you carry on tirelessly in whatever you choose to do.

The true matriarch of the Leavitt family was Gram Hazel Talbot Leavitt (b. 1897 - d. 1974). She was mother -in-law to Great Gram Nette. Gram Hazel was much adored by all of her grandchildren and their friends. She would drop everything to spend quality time with each of her 5 grands. Her house was a warm blanket that wrapped you up and kept you safe. Her grandchildren were encouraged to explore stamp/coin collecting, cooking, games, music, the attic (oh what an adventure) with enthusiasm. She didn't judge; she just loved. 

Gram was bright, energetic, strong, and kind. She loved helping people less fortunate than she was and worked tirelessly caring for the sick. She loved her community and family. 

Gram was a wonderful model for all Leavitt women to follow.

With love,

Great Gram Nette 

91 years 2016

(Annette Prince Leavitt)

Another note... special thank you to Judy and Sheila for editing, and for Judy to organizing the photo at the wedding, and helping me track down photos of the remaining women. And of course, serving as Gram's technological liaison. 

I also want to say that I missed Gram's 90th birthday in Maine only because I told her that I will go to the one that is triple digits. So will you.

Early Thirties

This is last week as I have not yet taken a "33 Week" photo.

Dear Baby Girl,

You and I hit 33 weeks yesterday and we now have…. (wait for it)… FOURTY-SEVEN DAYS to go! It’s been a while since I’ve been awake enough to write to you, so we’re going to organize this little letter-update Dad-style…

YOU: We had an ultrasound at your thirty week appointment and you looked great. The doctor told me that you were sucking on your tiny fingers—which is SO heartwarming and adorable—but stare and squint at the screen as I may, I could not make it out for myself…it just looked like a black and white mass (although I pretended to see it because it felt like an exciting moment). You are still roughly in the fiftieth percentile for size, so you might actually not reach the grandiosity of our favorite 12-pounder, Uncle Bart. Good news for Mom.

You’ve been in the “head down” position for our last two appointments (thirty and thirty-two weeks), and the OB says that you are low in my uterus, which means you are a) unlikely to flip around prior to birth, and b) likely come out “quickly” during birth (obviously a relative term in the birthing world). I don’t know whether this means you will be punctual with your arrival or not, but in any case, you’re in the “ready” position well ahead of time, like I would expect my daughter to be.

Sometimes you kick a lot and sometimes you go long periods of time without kicking and I debate whether I need to go to the hospital and check on you. I try to poke you a little, but you will not kick if you do not feel like kicking… stubborn, and again, exactly how I would expect my daughter to be.

ME: My body has betrayed me. I’m gaining weight in places other than my belly. I am not totally okay with the size of my ass right now. I’m not eating more, because I get full very quickly, so I’m not sure where this mysterious mass is coming from, but I don’t like it.

It is exceedingly difficult to shave my legs, but I haven’t gotten to the point yet where I’m giving up on them.  However, it’s become sort of a once a week kind of thing.

My sleeping habits are slightly out of whack. I wake up at least three times a night, I snore, I sometimes fart in my sleep (embarrassing I know, but it’s true), I take up 75% of the bed, and I have a hard time breathing. Your father will do this little impression of me waking up in the night where I stomp off to the bathroom, return to chug some water, gasp for air, and then plop down back in the bed, rolling one way then the other a few times before I ultimately go back to snoring. It’s all very attractive.

Work is challenging and exhausting. It’s uncomfortable and every afternoon I hit a wall earlier and earlier. I have zero energy when I get home, and weeknights go by crazy fast.

Things I miss most: running and coffee. I’m not talking about a soft little pitter patter jog. I want to run as fast as I can for 3 miles straight (although when I finally do, it likely will be a pitter patter jog). Coffee I miss more than I did in any other trimester… I feel if I just had an artificial energy fix I could accomplish so much more… ah, drugs.

DAD: He is putting your gear together almost as quickly as I can purchase it. His arch nemesis? The Pack n’ Play changing table. He has yet to conquer that item, and what he has done so far was met with loud and profane hollers. Dad vs. Pack n’ Play Part II will commence today.

He is getting excited and anxious for your arrival. We’re taking an infant care class today and I am particularly excited to observe how Dad handles it. To quote him in his own words (after I tried to explain to him that burping a baby is a gentle tap, NOT a pound), “I’m worried about the infant stage. I am not by nature a gentle person.” The look of concern and fear on his face as he said it gave me a good chuckle. “Delicate” is certainly not an adjective I would use to describe your father, but I think he will be great.

WORLD: Zika has reached the US with a small outbreak in Miami. So far, it is contained to the immediate area, but it still makes me happy with my decision not to travel to Florida this year.

We are in the midst of the summer Olympics in Rio. Michael Phelps has officially been declared the greatest Olympian of all time by multiple media outlets, and the US women’s gymnastics team is kicking ass and taking names. I plan on enrolling you in gymnastics in a few years, but—I’m sorry to say—the genetic odds of you becoming an Olympic gymnast are not in your favor. BUT, you never know.

The DC metro continues to defy temperature odds. We are entering another weekend of 100+ degree temperatures. Hope you’re staying cool in there.

7 WEEKS TO GO!

Love,

Mom