Freedom Trails, Sleepless, & Serenades

 

We are über-touristy on this trip.  Yesterday, you would have found my shiny sunblocked face peering through a large camera, Nora giggling from her stroller, and Daniel flipping through a Lonely Plant guidebook as we followed a red line around various American History sites.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

**If you're ever coming to Boston, do read up on your American History.  It will enhance your appreciation of "The Freedom Trail."

 

We, clearly, did not prepare.

 

Me:  Oh, look it's a memorial to Benjamin Franklin.

Daniel:  No, that's Samuel Franklin.

Me:  Who the heck is he?

 

 

 

 

 

Me (to myself): Who are the Torries?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Daniel:  What was the Boston Masacre about?

Me:  I'm not sure but there's a famous black guy who died.

Daniel:  Yeah, Crispus Attacs.

Me:  I think it's Crispus Attacus.

Daniel:  Yeah, maybe.

Me:  I'm hungry.

 

And it was after this erudite conversation that the amazing "Freedom Trail" was abandoned after only the 5th old building (the bookstore where Longfellow and Wordsworth were published) for some turkey burgers and sweet potato fries at b.good.

To be honest, I can tell you approximate years for the American Revolution and I know we sign our "John Hancock" because of the guy's involvement in the Declaration of Independence...but I can't tell you much about the Boston Tea Party (except that "tea party" is now a tainted phrase), the Boston Massacre (other than aforementioned Black guy), or Paul Revere (besides something about Palin messing it up).

Now, aren't your proud of my historical knowledge?  At least I'm not running for president.

And yes, since you asked, I AM still considering homeschooling Nora.

And yes, since you sit there in horror, I WILL brush up a bit on my history if/when the time comes.

Heck, I already skimmed the links that I posted above...NO, not just the menu for our burger joint...the OTHER links, about history and the dead guys.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Well, crumbs of gingered-oats are once again beside a cold mug of coffee from our local Flour Bakery.  This good ol' bakery welcomed me into another foggy day at 8:00am with Nora snuggled against my chest.  Her sleeping has been...well...let's just call it "poor and sporadic," although I am tempted to be more forthright and call it absolute sheer and utter hell. 

Now, now, surely it can't be that bad. 

Remember you're on vacation.  It's all bricks and ivy and muffins.

This sleeping part in NO way detracts from the fun of taking buses into the heart of Chinatown, seeing a gorgeous patch of sun stream through rustling leaves and fall upon 350 year old headstones, laughing with Daniel as we discuss John Hancock and he makes a face about the word "cock" and then, well, here's his memorial marker.  You must admit, it is fitting...right?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

But the sleeping issue will work itself out.  I know it can't get any worse. Yesterday, she was up at 5:45am (felt like 2:45am), took one 30 minute nap, and in the evening, after a day of sight-seeing (with only a few minor cracks...like this one next to Samuel Franklin's headstone) the Battle Royale began.  Starting at the jolly hour of 7:45pm, she nursed, cried, screamed, manically writhed, nursed, drank a bottle, screamed, nursed, rolled, kicked, slapped, and moaned her way to sleep at...drum roll...11:30pm.  She was beyond the beyond of tired.  We were all three at wit's end.

Yesterdat - totally our fault!

Today - we will stay closer to home...ensuring that she can try for a second nap. Crimping our traveling style?  Yes, a bit.  But we are all learning.  How to travel with a finicky sleeper.  How to nurse a baby who bites in public.  How to enjoy evenings on a trip when they end at 7:00pm.

*Didn't I read somewhere that when they are overtired they actually sleep LESS?  Ah, yes.  Yes, I did read that.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I had the thrill of sharing my bed with the sweet thrasher all night.  Daniel is kindly spared the wrestling match of our full-size mattress and sleeps on the couch.  (Where he is still sleeping, by the way.)  I have been up since 6:30am, taken Nora to the park and bakery, nursed her for 45 minutes for her nap...and now sit.

 

 

 

 

Coffee is cold but delicious.  Nary a crumb of my muffin remains.

The apartment is quiet.

Beacon Hill, the Charles River, and more parks await our travelin' feet.

 

But to assure you that Nora is having a fantastic time...despite sleep or the lack thereof...here she is at the park yesterday with some local children.  Her first hip-hop serenade.  She was over-the-moon.

 

 

 

 

 

Comments

[Liz]

I can't help but laugh...at least you have a sense of humor! Let me say I kind of feel your pain as my Daydream has also been a poor sleeper, though probably not on the same level as Nora.

We went on vacation once when Sunshine was 9 months and there was a 3 hour time change. She never adjusted and we were there for 2 weeks! It was torture in the mornings.

I hope you continue to enjoy your trip and that the little one adjusts.