Simon: 9 months

I've said it before and I'll say it again, and again, and again...

Simon is the sweetest boy! 

Ever!  

Hands down!  

No contest!

Lately my littlest one is getting into everything.  Kitchen items strewn everywhere.  Garbages have to be lifted up onto tables.  Baby gates are up.  And the bathroom door must be closed "quickly, before he gets there".

He loves to pull himself up to a stand and declares, in sweet squeals, that he is quite proud of himself.  Although after a few recent tumbles he has become more cautious and now stands, and stands, and stands until someone rescues him and helps him sit back down.

For the record, he did say, "Mama," once and he was looking right at me.  It totally counts!  He often says, "da.da.da.da." or "di.da."  And speaks in a very forceful staccato.  I love it.

About a week, or so, ago he started clapping.  I was so excited, and I kept trying to get him to show off for everyone else...but he wouldn't.  He just looked at me, like I'm totally hilarious, then grabbed my hands and tried to eat them.  But, when no one else is looking, he loves to clap.

He's got ninja hands.  It's true.  As in, I'm about to put the spoon, full of baby food, into his mouth and all of a sudden the food has flown everywhere.  We just need to teach him to say, "hi-YA" and it would be official.  He's so fast!

A couple of times he has crawled; hands and knees style.  But he prefers the army style.  He can get going really fast on our wood floors and looks like a slithering snake.  Especially when he's headed for the stairs.  Especially when I'm headed for him, as he's headed for the stairs.

I love this stage!  He thinks we are all hilarious.  Peek-a-boo is awesome.  Chasing is the best game.  And he still loves to cuddle with his mama.  I love kissing his neck.  I love nursing him.  I love holding him.  I love tickling him.  And counting his petite pea toes.  And squeezing his plumpness.  I love watching him laugh at his brother and sister.  I love this boy!!!

Yesterday evening we had FHE at Sheep's Meadow.  As Brian chased Oliver during that it's-almost-time for-bed-naughtiness-phase, I finally captured a bit more of Simon's expressions (and yes, he is still in his pajamas because he is a 3rd child...but I have photos!):

The Long Island Simon.
"Hey Joey, Youz thinks I'm funny?!" (or is that more Jersey?)

The Hugging Simon.

The Happy Simon.
"Mama, you are hilarious."
aka: The 90% of the Time Simon.

The Wrapped Around Mama's Little Finger Simon.
"I'm gonna get that phone and suck on it!"

The Stare Into Your Soul Simon.
"You are the keeper of my milk."

The Intellectual Simon.
"Ahh... Very interesting..."

The I Got It Now Simon.
"I can almost taste that phone!"

The Dandelion Simon.

The Sweetest Boy In The World Simon. 

The Best Littlest Brother Simon. 

{this moment}

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

Inspired by my favorite blog: SouleMama

First Day of School

Thursday was Isabella's first day of school...ever!  It was a half day and parents stayed at the school the entire time.  (Some time in the classroom with the kids and some time meeting with Principal Parker.)  It was a great way to transition.  (The photos below are during our time in the classroom.)

The week before school started if you would have asked Isabella how she felt about going to school she would enthusiastically reply, "Excited!"  But her actions were telling me that there was a whole lot more going on inside her.  I began seeing a pattern: big, anticipated changes = certain behaviors (same behaviors happened right before both her brothers were born).  I tried to talk with her about how it is okay to be nervous or scared.  She began asking (a few times every day), "What will school be like?"

She is so brave!  I'm so very proud of her for doing something that made her feel uneasy.  And that she trusts us enough to be willing to do follow our guidance.  When it was time to separate she sat on the brightly colored carpet, her body tense, and her eyes looking everywhere except at us.

Monday was the first full day (8:30am-3:10pm).  I dropped her off in a chaotic stairwell.  Mr. Parker guided the kids into the school hallway and the parents back down the stairs.  I exited the building and chatted with friends before heading home.  I was surprisingly fine with it all.  Even once I was at home, as I busied myself with the day's tasks.  

Well, until Oliver, with toy in hand, began yelling, "La-la!  La-la!" and searched every corner of our tiny apartment for her to play with.  Then I lost it.  

And when I talked to Brian on the phone.  The flood gates opened again.  

And when I nursed Simon.  And laughed with Oliver.  And made lunch for just Oliver and me.  I was fine other than that.  

Monday evening as we were getting ready for the next day of school Isabella said, "I have to go again tomorrow?!  How many more times do I have to go?"  (I just about lost it then too, but I held back those tears.)

As hard as it is to have her go, I am grateful for the chance to breathe.  I feel like I can finally exhale and take in more of life around me.  It is a bit more calm here.

Also, the most adorable thing: how excited Isabella is to see her brothers when we pick her up.  That girl!  She touches my heart with all her love and goodness.

Right Now

Blowing bubbles while waiting to pick up Isabella.

{this moment}

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

Inspired by my favorite blog: SouleMama

How is it possible?

This baby of mine will start kindergarten tomorrow!

Is it just me, or do other parents feel like this is the biggest change since giving birth?

She's so grown up, but still a baby.  She's sweet and sassy.  Smart and strong.  Timid and reckless.

Why must she grow up so fast?  It tears at my heart and yet, it is so exciting to see her bloom, change and grow.

She is amazing and, at times, exhausting.  She is the most exhausting joy I have ever loved.

I'm so glad I get to be her mom and continue on this adventure with her.

I know she will do great.  I know I will constantly think of her throughout the day.  I am so grateful the first two days of school are short and sweet.  Next Monday (when she begins to go all day, everyday) that's when I think know I will cry.

Why I love being a mom...

It's moments like these that make motherhood perfect.

Another Perfect Saturday

We spent the most beautiful day of the year along the Hudson River.

Free kayaking at Pier 96 (@ W 56th St).  I'm so glad people donate their time so we can do this!

Enjoying refreshing apricot popsicles on the Highline.

Miniature golfing and playing at the brand new Pier 25 (@ N Moore St).  I highly recommend New York mammas go to this new pier...tons of fun!

Hurricane Irene

In commemoration of Irene's 1 week + 1 day supposed destruction I'm finally posting some photos. 

Hurricane Irene was a rare event that combined strong feelings of anxiety, excitement, relief, disappointment, and gratitude, in that order.  I know it is completely silly to be disappointed that Irene wasn't as big of a deal as she could have been.  After days of watching and preparing for potential damage a few fallen branches just didn't feel worth the worry.

We took a bus up to Connecticut for the weekend.  Even though we had purchased the tickets weeks ahead of time it felt like we were evacuating the city before the impending disaster.  I am grateful we have family nearby that could take us in.  I have a fear of being trapped on an island (Manhattan is an island) with millions of of other people.  Perhaps I've watched too many movies where New York City gets destroyed.

There were some benefits from the whole experience:
*Isabella learned a lot about hurricanes.  She could explain the different categories.
*Follow our church leaders.  We were encouraged to prepare for a hurricane three weeks before Irene.
*How to be better prepared for future disasters.
*"Hurrication!" Brian had Monday off of work.

He stepped into the water before I realized it.  With socks, shoes and a concerned look.

Spencer made a video of Hurricane Irene (movie trailer style).  Watch it here.

One of those mornings

*One child awake two hours earlier than usual.
*Two children awake 1.5 hours early.
*One cup of milk splattered everywhere.  Including the couch, 'cause we live in a tiny place and the couch is right next to the table.
*One cup of hot chocolate spilled all over the floor when an older sister was attempting to share with a younger brother.
*Two beastly cockroaches smashed and discarded.  Thanks to my heroic husband!
*One child's skinned elbow, knee and hip cleaned and bandaged.  After she went running with her daddy ('cause she was up 2 hours early).

All before 8am?!

Now we are headed across town to get a x-ray of Oliver's pinky finger that was smashed over the weekend.

Do you know what that all means?  Today is going to only get better!  (Half my floor has been freshly mopped!)  Seriously, it's going to be awesome.  I am determined that today will be an awesome day!

Okay, make that 2 cups of spilled milk...

Right Now

Sitting outside our apartment while Simon naps inside. Hurricane Irene
brought a breeze that whispers that fall is on her way. As beautiful
as fall is I'm not ready for summer to end. In protest I'm making my
children eat popsicles.

Why I don't go grocery shopping anymore...

Recently, as I checked out of Fairway (our grocery store) Oliver was caught waving an unwrapped, massive gourmet chocolate bar in the air.  I gasped in surprised and everyone near glanced over.  I must have parked him a little too close to some chocolate when I ran down an isle to grab something.  The checkout lady thought it was pretty hilarious (they rarely smile).  I laughed pretty hard too.  He picked a good one; it was tasty!

I regularly cart my three kids in one of the craziest grocery stores in the city.  (I witnessed a fight break out between two women in the produce section a few years ago.  No joke!)  Mothers, who have left their children in someone else's care while they shop, have offered their praise, touting, "You are an inspiration!" or "You are so brave!"  I believe there is a fine line between bravery and insanity.  And I'm not sure which side of the line I'm on.  ;)

We celebrated by eating the chocolate and taking photos.  That'll teach him!

Simon: 8 months

I'm, once again, fairly late in this post.  He turned 8 months on our 9 year wedding anniversary almost two weeks ago!  A little before 8 months he stopped sleeping well at night and began waking up every hour after midnight.  Thankfully he's the sweetest, most adorable little baby; even at 3am.

He's become an expert at sweeping our floor with his belly.  As he's on his quest to disgusting shoes or danger stairs he glances back at me to make sure I come to the rescue, which is a sure guarantee of many squeals and laughter.  Instead of crawling he continues to glide on his belly, occasionally he attempts to pull his knees under himself or hold his body in a plank position for several seconds.  (I wish I was strong enough to do that!)

In the last few days he's figured out how to climb over large sofa pillows (that were used to contain him) and up two steps into our bathroom.

He started eating solids in the last month.  I waited a little later than the recommended 6 months because my other kids just spit the food out constantly in the beginning and since Simon seems to have some intolerances to food I thought I'd wait just a bit to start the journey.  I'm so glad I waited.  He was so ready and is a fantastic eater (except for the mixed veggies I tried to feed him last night that resulted in repeated gagging and looks of 'what did you just put in my mouth?!').

He enjoys grabbing hair and pinching my face.  He's giddy and completely goofy when Brian gets home every night.

But the best part of Simon is his smile.  Which, after reviewing our photos, I realize I don't have nearly enough photos of his perma-smile.  He greets us with a smile every morning and almost every moment.  

Simon fills my heart with so much joy!

One thing I've noticed about myself lately is how much I'm soaking in all of Simon's wonderful baby-ness.  If we are blessed to have more children it will be in a few years. I'm learning how special and wonderful it is to have such sweetness in my life.  The soft, plump skin is so tender to kiss and caress.  The sweet laughter and smiles; they melt my heart.  I've loved all my babies so much, but there's something special about this time, right now, with Simon.  I pray those dimpled knuckles stay.

I am New York

Some say you have to live in New York City for at least 10 years before you are considered a real New Yorker.  Some make long lists of telltale signs showing that you've mastered the concrete jungle.  I'm not sure if I will ever consider myself a true New Yorker since I was born and raised playing in acres of green fields.  But it is true, you live here long enough and you will become one with the city.  I do consider my kids New Yorkers; they are so city savvy for being so young.

A few days ago I had a true, honest-to-goodness, I-AM-A-NEW-YORKER experience.  I will spare you the details but it started with a woman offering her unsolicited opinion about my child and ended with me yelling (very loudly), "Mind your own business!" and "Shut your mouth!"


Crazy, right?!  I didn't know I even had that in me.

I am 5% embarrassed. "I hope no one I know saw me!"

I am 30% amazed.  "Did I really say that?!"

I am 65% proud of myself for finally standing up to those people.

I am New York!

Summer Streets 2011: The Trailer

Brian's brother, Spencer, just shared a quick, fun video of our Summer Streets adventure.  Enjoy!