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!

Summer Streets 2011: week three

Week three (yesterday, August 20) was over-the-top!  Brian's brother, sister, two nephews and some friends all joined us for Summer Streets.  We started as early as possible with a group that size.  I, once again, jogged with Simon in the stroller.  (I think he's too young to sit in a trailer or bike seat all day long.  It would have been hard on his little developing body.)  We did the entire part of Summer Streets (7 miles), went over the Brooklyn Bridge, hopped on a ferry to Governor's Island, enjoyed The Roaring 20's party, and then headed home.  After Governor's Island I took my boys home on the subway while the rest of the group biked up the Hudson River.  I'm guessing those that biked did 15-20 miles.  I think I did 10-12 miles walking/jogging with the stroller (for the record: it's not a "jogging" stroller!).

Getting ready to go!

Along the way

Running into (and with) good friends

REI stop in SoHo

Foley Square

Biking Brooklyn Bridge

The Roaring 20's Party

Governor's Island

Summer Streets 2011: week two

For the record: "week two" was last Saturday, August 13 (not yesterday).  I'm just running late in my posts, having too much fun to post anything, and procrastinating cleaning my house at the moment.

For week two we started downtown at Foley Square which was so much fun!  They had tons of stuff for kids and we could have easily spent a few hours there.  Brian rode his bike, I jogged with the stroller.  We stopped and played all along the route.  And before 1pm (when the streets open up to cars) we made it all the way up to Central Park (7 miles).

Here are some fun photos:

Foley Square

SoHo

En Route

"Daddy's Building"

{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

Right Now

At the breakfast table Isabella declared, "Oliver, you look like a Samaritan!"

Completely random.

Maybe Samaritans always had really bad mama haircuts???

Love

Nine years ago (yesterday) I married my best friend, my eternal companion, my adventurer, my techie, my walking encyclopedia, my comic, my perfect opposite, my true love.

Brian, I am so happy we will be together forever!  Life, with you, is so fun, amazing, and exciting.

P.S. I love you more!

2002: married for time and eternity in Oakland Temple

2002: taken with our first digital camera

2003: Paris

2003: first day on a weeklong bike trip

2011: raising three kids in NYC

{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