Right Now

Happened upon a Jewish wedding in Central Park. Complete with pink bow
ties and a banjo player.

Capturing A Jump

Isabella is my high energy gal.  She is constantly running, jumping, or "galloping".  All over our city, everywhere we go.  While Oliver naps we turn on fun music and she jumps on the bed; several times a day.  Attempting to capture her jumping...

Run, Run, Run

Last Saturday I ran in the New York City Mini 10K (not quite sure why it's called "mini").  It's a womens only race but draws a lot of amazing athletes.  This year Paula Radcliffe (holds the world record for fastest marathon) and 11 olympians (whose names I  do not know...sorry).  They beat me by mere seconds, I'm sure.  I had a blast and reached my goal of running an average of 9:20 min/mile and finished in about 57 minutes.  Although my body was tired and sore the rest of the day I felt high on life.

I had a blast starting the race with these two amazing ladies!  Stephanie on the left and Sunny in the middle.

Oliver's Little Celebration

We are not huge party planners around here, especially for 1st birthdays.  I really feel like it's a celebration of, "Wow!  We made it!  One year with all this craziness!"  Oliver's day was filled with fun tasks of laundry and cleaning (catching up after our visitors had left).  And then ended with a bit of fountain play, pizza, and dessert from Magnolia.  (FYI: I'm not a huge fan of Magnolia's cupcakes--what they are famous for--but LOVE their key lime cheesecake!)

I've been on a sugar fast (okay, some days/weeks are better than others) since Thanksgiving.  And my plan was to do it until Oliver's birthday.  I partied the whole weekend and now I'm back to a sugar free life.  So, maybe his little celebration was more for my own indulgence...maybe.

Sister Comes for a Visit

We were very excited to have my sister, Anika, and her family come visit for almost a week.  We tried our best to balance tons of fun with enough rest time to enjoy everything with the kids.  It was so much fun and can't wait til next time!

Of course we had to ride the subway.

And devour treats from the Doughnut Plant.

Played in the fountain at Washington Sq Park.

Anyone know where this is?

Chilly ride on the Staten Island Ferry.

Walked up the Hudson River.

Gillian showing her belly while Isabella snapped a photo.

Played at Rockefeller Park.

Posed like creatures at the American Museum of Natural History.

Oliver: 1 YEAR!!!!

Happy Birthday Oliver!!!

How did that little (okay, he was big) baby become my big boy?

I have loved getting to know Oliver this year.  He is such a joy, a gift, a blessing.  I am grateful for his laughter, his constant proclaiming of, "DA!" to everyone.  I love watching his little body crawl; he's become a speedy little guy.  This last month he's perfected the crawl.  With this new freedom he's not only getting where he wants to go, but getting what he wants.  He screams so loud and dramatically if something is taken out of his hands.  More so than if he bonks his head.  Oliver is, by definition, perpetual motion.  Putting pajamas on him is like putting pajamas on a greasy jack rabbit.  I've got a feeling, this sweet boy of mine has some pretty good tricks up his sleeve; some surprises for his mama.

He is determined, but careful.  He will only pull himself to a stand if he's secure.  He will rarely tumble and fall on his own (he has a sister to help him with that).  He loves to eat grapes, beans & rice, oatmeal, yogurt and meat.  If he doesn't like a food, it gets tossed like a baseball.  The completion of his meal is signaled by smashing food into his hair.  My attempts to teach him sign language have proven unsuccessful, so far.  One day he had "water" down, but has since reverted to yelling.  Whatever works, right?!

Oliver loves phones! If he gets his hands on one, prying it out is about as traumatic as a shot from the doctor.  And all objects are now a phone.  Pen, tiara, cheerio, you name it.  He will put it up to his ear and firmly say, "A-DA!" then hand it to you to take a turn.

Sweet kisses could be his nickname.  He loves, loves, loves to give big, wet, open mouth kisses.  He's practicing blowing kisses, which is so sweet!

He is a big tease.  Putting choking hazards in his mouth, making eye contact and crawling briskly away while giggling or touching cords and smiling at me.  You know, fun stuff.

Music is a favorite of his.  Not so much what is coming out of iTunes, but playing instruments and singing together.  He created his own signs for "itsy-bitsy spider," "paddy-cake," and "twinkle little star."  Singing calms him down just about every time things go awry.  Every night we rock and sing before bedtime. 

Although his demeanor has become much more serious lately he still loves to smile and laugh.  It just takes a bit more effort.  He loves hide and seek, peek-a-boo, tickles and being chased.  His full body, belly laugh is so contagious.

Oliver, we love you!!!

As a bit of a side note, but still related, since Memorial Day my mind has frequently reflected on "this time last year".  I was so huge, so uncomfortable, but still trying so hard to stay positive and enjoy life.  Some of those moments and days last year are still so vivid in my memory, they have brought tears to my eyes.  Looking back, I'm grateful for that time, even though it was emotionally and physically painful.  I felt so alone, but now I know I was in God's hands.  His love for me and this little boy are so obvious, so apparent.  If you want a recap of Oliver's dramatic birth, you can read it here.

Hudson River Park

Hey New Yorkers, have you been to the beautiful, new piers along the Hudson River?!  Just north of Chelsea Piers.  I love that the city is turning all the old, run-down piers into beautiful parks.  This evening Brian met us for a picnic dinner on Pier 63 and then he and Isabella rode the carousel on Pier 62.

Unique New York #8

Yes, I know I'm a complete slacker with my New Year's resolution.  But I think of it often and I'm still taking photos; just not as many as I wanted.  I will post them, I will.

But this is one of those things that I LOVE about New York.  My good friend, Roxy, told me about this place years ago.  I enjoy sewing on my old, hand-me-down Singer, but I still haven't quite figured out how to get the button hole attachment to work (without breaking my needles!!).  Projects will often sit, unfinished for months, until I give in and take them to this little store in the Fashion District.

It's called Jonathan's and it is on W 38th St, between 7th & 8th Aves (closer to 8th, on the south side).

 I love that there's a tiny spot to help me finally complete those little projects for just a couple bucks.

My Girl

I guess I've overdone it!  Too many photos!  Isabella is rarely willing to look and smile at the camera anymore.  (Most face shots are coincidental and she's "not so happy about that".)  But I still take photos...trying to possibly capture what she finds interesting.

WATER!

There is something magical about the water fountains/sprinklers at New York City playgrounds.  There is much excitement (both for moms and kids) when the water gets switched on.  It's the city's way of declaring "SUMMER IS HERE!"

Saturday was a Special Day

Last Saturday all of the church youth in Manhattan (our stake) put on a huge block party and tag sale in order to raise money for scout camp and girls camp this summer.  It was an awesome success!  They closed down the entire street in front of the church building on the eastside.  The young women in our ward (12-18 year old girls in the congregation) chose to do a "pie throwing" booth to raise money.

Brian and I spent the day eating food off the grill and browsing through all the tag sale items.  We scored some great pieces of clothing and a couple nice toys.

My Loves

Some favorite photos of my favorite people!!!

Enthusiastic Chicken Tortilla Soup

I recently came across this recipe on a blog I very much enjoy, called marta writes.  Since the soup had everything in it that I love I decided to give it a go.  I made it last night and it was yummy!  Since it was a cold rainy night it totally hit the spot!  I made a few changes/clarifications which I have noted in red.  Here's the link to the recipe on marta's blog with more delicious photos. 

Confession: I am in love with lime & cilantro!

enthusiastic chicken tortilla soup

2-3 cans chicken broth  (32 oz)
3-4 chicken breasts, cooked & shredded  (1 really big one)
1 can (7 oz.) diced green chiles  (4.5 oz can)
1 clove garlic, diced  (crushed)
1/2 cup salsa  (homemade pico de gallo)
1 cup corn, rinsed & drained  (I used frozen)
1 cup black beans, rinsed & drained
1/2 a bunch of cilantro, chopped
1 tomato or 1 tomatillo, diced  (I used tomato)
1 lime, juiced

toppings:
fresh slices of avocado
a dollop of sour cream
grated cheddar cheese  (jack cheese)
crushed tortilla chips
(homemade pico de gallo)

combine all the soup ingredients together in a large pot or crockpot. stir occasionally. simmer for a half hour or more. ladle soup into bowls and garnish with favorite toppings. enjoy. 

And, here's my pico de gallo recipe:

I make it just from my head, so all measurements are approximate. I taste as I go and never add all the onion or jalepenos unless it needs it.

1 lb tomatoes (I use Romas), diced
1/2 cup cilantro, chopped
1/2 red onion, finely chopped
1-2 jalepenos, finely chopped
1-2 limes, juiced
salt to taste

Spectacular Saturday

Last Saturday was one of those days...absolutely perfect in every way!  Pancakes first thing in the morning followed by playing in the city all day long in the 70 degree sunshine.  So fantastic!

I ran a 5K race in Riverside Park with my friend R-J.  (And finished in 27 minutes!)

We ate a yummy brunch on the Upper West Side at Regional (good food, fabulous staff). 

Then I changed my clothes and we headed out to Flushing, which is an authentic "Chinatown" (not touristy).  We were the foreigners (we felt tall) and signs in English were minimal. 

 

While there we bought our favorite Chinese treats:

and ate AMAZING soup dumplings:

Isabella even loved them!
(I'd love to tell you the name of the restaurant, but it was only in Chinese...sorry!)

In the evening we dashed home, left the kids with a babysitter (yeehaw!!) and went to see Ironman 2 in IMAX.  The movie was fun.  But the whole day was spectacular!!