Attitude of Gratitude

January 2010*

I am grateful for tourists. 

No, not because they walk so slow and take up the entire sidewalk.  No, not because they come in droves and block every turnstile to get onto the subway.  And, no, not because they talk really loud on a full train about how rude New Yorkers are.

Why do I love tourists?!  Because they remind me how amazingly wonderful this city is.  They walk slowly, looking up, gazing at all the great sites and huge buildings.  There is a bit of innocence, reverence, awe that they study their maps, check their guide books and are too scared to ask anyone for help.  They get completely confused by the subway system.  They view the city through a camera lens because it is such a photogenic city.

As I see these annoying enthralled tourists enjoying the city (and all its awesomeness) I remember.  I remember my innocence.  The way my heart would beat faster and my senses awaken every morning when I would step outside my apartment building.  I remember how every neighborhood, street, and corner held new treasures.  How I studied subway and bus maps daily.  And snapped mental photos of cabbies fighting in busy intersections.  And how I was in awe of tiny grocery stores with merchandise stacked perfectly to the ceiling.

I love New York City and I'm so glad the tourists remind me how awesome it is to live here!

*Something I can't quite comprehend is that New York City is completely normal to my kids.  This is their life, their home, the only way they have lived.

Simon: 3 months

Sweet Simon loves to devour his hands.  He smiles, smiles, and smiles some more.  Occasionally we can get a good squeaky laugh out of him.  Isabella works pretty hard for a few of his rewarding giggles.  Simon squirms and squeals with delight when I bend over to pick him up; sure signs of a third baby--completely elated to have any bit of attention.  He rarely cries anymore, just kind of complains at times.  His bouncy seat has become his preferred place to chill and watch all the commotion.  He loves to watch me cook and loves to dance with his daddy.  Morning naps are awesome and last about 3 hours.  The rest of the day is iffy until the house is quiet and dark, then he will often settle down for the night and sleep 4-5 hours at a time until all the commotion begins again.

Simon summed up in one word: perfection!

Attitude of Gratitude

I have the best friends ever!  Last Wednesday I turned 33.  We had celebrated my birthday the weekend before while in Connecticut.  When my actual birthday came and it was kind of a blah day.  The kids hadn't slept much for the last several days and I was completely tuckered out.  One amazing friend invited me and the kids over to her home for a delicious birthday brunch and made me cry with her sweet praise.  Another amazing friend stopped by unexpectedly and dropped off some delicious birthday cookies and a much needed hug.  Then another (yes, another!) amazing friend and two of her adorable children stopped by after dinner with an awesome birthday cake.  I was already in my p.j.s and not looking too hot, but they brought tears of joy to my eyes and much needed cheer into my home.

I have so many other stories of such sweet friends weaving their love and compassion into my life.  I love all of you amazing, wonderful women!   You strengthen me, uplift me, and make me laugh so hard.

I am forever grateful for my amazing friends!

Sensory Tub

After this incident a little while back I was thinking the kids really haven't had much sensory play since we have spent so much time inside.  (We limit baths during the winter because of their crazy dry skin.)  The snow and ice was still packed on top of the sandboxes at the playgrounds so I brought out a tub of rice and let the kids play, pour and enjoy.  They were engrossed for quite a while, but I had to put an end to the fun once Oliver started tossing the rice around.  Bonus points: they also enjoyed helping me vacuum and sweep up the mess!

Foil Painting

Instead of painting on plain old white paper I wrapped some foil around cardboard (from cereal boxes) and let the kids at it.  It was fun and messy, as usual.

Simon's blessing day

Last weekend was one of my craziest!  (Right up there with moving Thanksgiving weekend--along the parade route--while 9 months pregnant and mothering two children). We had planned on blessing Simon in our ward on Sunday, but Brian's dad was unable to leave his (Brian's) grandma who is quite ill, so we chose to have Simon blessed at Brian's parents' ward.  At 12noon on Friday we decided to go to CT and by 2:30pm we were on the train in Grand Central (I'm amazed at my packing skillz).  It was a weekend filled with awesome carrot cake (for my birthday), the worst vomit episode ever via Isabella, and Simon receiving a beautiful blessing.

Brian blessed Simon with a bounty of beautiful blessings.  I love that he was blessed with a love of learning and a sense of humor.  Learning and laughter are two things we live daily.

Pimp my {stroller} ride

We finally traded in our old Maclaren for this sweet ride:

Britax B-Ready with 2nd seat!

They are quite pleased with it as well.

I've been eyeing this stroller for a few months.  After researching and reading tons of reviews I decided this is the double stroller that would best suit our city traveling needs.  It just came to the market last summer, so it was impossible to find a used one.

But, Brian's sister found us an amazing deal.  Currently Britax has a promotion going on where you can get the 2nd seat free.  And then we bought ours at Buy Buy Baby which accepts Bed Bath & Beyond coupons (check fine print for exclusions).  So, we got this sweet ride (normally $650) for a sweet deal ($400).

As the novelty wears off Isabella will be back scooting all over the city and Simon will be strolling.

Right Now

Giddy with spring fever.

Right Now

Enjoying the Martha Stewart show!

Right Now

Having a blast at the Connecticut Science Center.

Attitude of Gratitude

I'm so happy that this little boy is all mine. My heart jumps every
time his eyes twinkle as he sweetly smiles. He is a dream come true!

MoMA

We had a blast at the MoMA on Saturday!  How come we never knew about the Material Lab?!  Okay, I just looked it up and it arrived February 19th (I assumed it was a permanent exhibit...because it should be!!!)  So, New York moms...GO TO THE MATERIAL LAB...before August 29th!!!  Both Isabella and Oliver LOVED it.  They close it at 5pm and I wish we would have arrived before 4:30pm, we could have spent a lot more time there.

We missed the Tours for Fours, but plan to make it to one soon.  Isabella is at such a fun age now.  We can finally do these cool things and she gets it and loves it too.

Here are a few not-so-great phone photos of the Material Lab:

These are tactile boxes that the kids can touch, feel, smell, etc. various materials and learn what art has been made with them.  Oliver spent a lot of time with these boxes.

Isabella is using a wireless paintbrush.

This was in the main lobby.  Our daughter has her art hanging in the MoMA.  We are so proud! 

Right Now

Exploring the MOMA

Attitude of Gratitude

Isabella: 8 months

I have to confess: I haven't been very grateful lately.  The goal of documenting things I'm grateful for was to help me cultivate a more positive attitude in my daily life.  But during the last week or so my thoughts have been, "I'm grateful February is finally half over." or "I'm grateful Oliver peed on the wood floor instead of the carpet." or "I'm grateful I didn't yell again today!"  Not the most positive thoughts, I know.  But that's where I was.  A small pity party for sure.

Fortunately, I seem to be out of that rut and moving forward.  Thank heaven's.

Yesterday as I was doing the dishes I was bemoaning the fact that our hot water is scalding hot.  Even with dish gloves on it can burn!  (It only takes a minute to get that water to boil!  Crazy, I know!)  I stopped myself from that downward spiral of negativity.  "What?!  I'm complaining that all I have to do is twist a faucet and clean, hot water pours into a sink?!"

That took me on an upward spiral of positive thoughts.  Reminding myself that I am so extremely wealthy and live in luxury.  I am one of the wealthiest people in the world.  I have all my needs and wants met.  I have an abundance of good food, warmth, education, health, freedom, etc.  I am SO blessed!  So fortunate!  So rich!

Today, I'm grateful for clean dishes and positive thoughts!

Amazing Women!

In 2010 a total of 18 babies were born in our congregation at church.  Each family received 14 days of delicious, homemade meals delivered by foot, bus, subway, etc. by other members of the congregation.  That makes a total of 252 meals delivered last year.

These women are amazing and I'm so grateful I have the opportunity to share this bit of my life with them.  Thirteen of the 18 are pictured in order of baby birth, oldest to youngest; boys in the back, girls in front.

Simply beautiful!